Henry's Songbook

I may sit in my wee croo hoose
At the rock and the reel tae toil fu' dreary
I may think on the day that's gane
And sigh and sob till I grow weary
I ne'er could brook, I ne'er could brook
A foreign loon tae own and flatter
But I will sing a rantin' sang
That day oor King comes ower the water

I hae seen the guid auld day
The day o' pride and chieftain's glory
Whan Royal Stuart bare the sway
And ne'er heard tell o' Whig or Tory
Tho' lyart be my locks and grey
And auld has crook't me doon, what matter
I'll dance and sing ae ither day
That day oor King comes ower the water

Gin I live tae see the day
That I hae begged and begged frae heaven
I'll fling my rock and reel away
And dance and sing fae morn till even
For there is ane I wadna name
Wha comes the beengin' byke tae scatter
And I'll put on my bridal goon
That day oor King comes ower the water

Curse on dull and drawling Whig
The whining, ranting, low deceiver
Wi' heart sae black and look sae big
And cantin' tongue o' clishmaclaver
My faither was a guid Lord's son
My mither was an Earl's daughter
And I'll be Lady Keith again
That day oor King comes ower the water

(croo house - crofter's house)
(rock and the reel - spinning wheel)
(loon - rascal)
(rantin' - rousing)
(bare the sway - ruled absolutely)
(lyart - silvery)
(beengin' byke - lit. swarm of bees who bow and scrape
yes-men, sycophants, fawning interlopers)
(clishmaclaver - false, idle gossip)

[1982:] [A] wistful piece about an ageing noblewoman who believes that her fortunes will take a turn for the better on the restoration of the Jacobite monarchy. (Review Ray Fisher, Broadsheet No ?)

[1991:] The aristocratic titled lady in question has lost her status and possessions due to her Jacobite sympathies. In her reduced circumstances she shows her strength of character and unflinching determination to return to her former position when Bonnie Prince Charlie comes back from France. She also betrays a strong personal affection for the Prince. I resolved to learn this song after hearing [...] Rod Paterson sing it. (Notes Ray Fisher, 'Traditional Songs of Scotland')

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