Donald McGillavry Lyrics
For those who don't know this is a song from the Scottish Jacobite rebellion of 1715. Donald MacGillavry of Drumglass is one of the chiefs mentioned in the Chevalier's Muster Roll of 1715, and one of the bards of this clan may have written this song.
and to clear up some of the somewhat archaic 'Scots' language used in the song: gouk's nest = cuckoo's nest (a gouk's also a fool) weighbauk = scales but his tether = without/off his leash wud, or stang'd wit' an ether, man = mad, or stung with an adder elwand = rod that measures an ell, a length of measure no longer used callan that brooks nae tangleness = a fine fellow who doesn't hold with schemes winna be baukit = won't be balked, held back lingel = a shoemaker's thread mumpit wi' mirds = lulled with flattery Arles = Thrashing Skelp them and scauld them = chastise (specifically a slap with the flat of the hand) and scold them
@karb0n13 Thank you so much for explaining these terms! I love the song and had halfway made peace with not being able to understand half of it. Best wishes!
@karb0n13 Thank you so much for explaining these terms! I love the song and had halfway made peace with not being able to understand half of it. Best wishes!
@karb0n13 the song was writ by James Hogg in the 18c. And is a literary form popular at the time the conciet c.f. many of the works of Jonathan Swift. It is in no way aside from namesake based on history, e.g. the song itself is a counterfeit. Brilliant!
@karb0n13 the song was writ by James Hogg in the 18c. And is a literary form popular at the time the conciet c.f. many of the works of Jonathan Swift. It is in no way aside from namesake based on history, e.g. the song itself is a counterfeit. Brilliant!