Loch Lomond is a well-known traditional Scottish song first published in 1841. Its sweet lyrics also hide a dark story, one that's been interpreted in a variety of ways through the centuries.
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
The song prominently features Loch Lomond, the largest Scottish loch, located between the council areas of West Dunbartonshire, Stirling and Argyll and Bute.
The Dark Story
The dark story goes like this:[2]
This song is connected with the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland and their earnest desire to return bonnie Prince Charlie as Scottish king.
And the last serious battle of the war between Scotland and England was fought on the field of Culloden.
And after the Battle of Culloden, a great number of ringleaders of the Scottish rebellions and what the Scots referred to as the young, brave laddie heroes, were taken to London for a series of show trials. Whilst they were waiting for their trials, many members of their families came from Scotland down to London. And it is quite certain that all of the people who came to the trials walked that distance. And so the wives were all there and the girlfriends and the family members and the mates and everything else. And they were all found guilty, and they were all executed in the vilest means possible.
And so when we're talking about `you'll take the high road, and I'll take the low road,' the high road, meaning the bodies of the men that were going to be exhibited, were being taken by coach on the most important road in the country. And the ordinary poor people of Scotland, who'd seen their menfolk burn to death, all had to shuttle back by the ordinary roads that ordinary working people had to use. So that's how it was.
Video 1. Loch Lomond - Peter Hollens (YouTube link)
Lyrics
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
O ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland a'fore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
'Twas there that we parted, in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond,
Where in soft purple hue, the highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.
The wee birdies sing and the wildflowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping.
But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again,
Though the waeful may cease frae their grieving.
O ye’ll tak’ the high road and I’ll tak’ the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye.
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
O ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland a'fore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
'Twas there that we parted, in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond,
Where in soft purple hue, the highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.
The wee birdies sing and the wildflowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping.
But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again,
Though the waeful may cease frae their grieving.
O ye’ll tak’ the high road and I’ll tak’ the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye.
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.
References
- The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond (Wikipedia)
- The Dark Tale of Bonnie 'Loch Lomond' (NPR)
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