waes me for prince charlie
A wee bird came to our ha’ door,
It warbled sweet and clearly,
And aye the overcome o’ its sang,
Was waes me for Prince Charlie!
O! when I heard the bonny bonny bird,
The tears came drapping rarely;
I took my bannet aff my head,
For well I lo’ed Prince Charlie.
Quo’ I, My bird, my bonny bonny bird,
Is that a tale ye borrow?
Or is't some words ye've learnt by rote,
Or a lilt o' dool and sorrow?
Ah! no, no, no, the wee bird sang
I've flown sin morning early;
But sic a day o'wind and rain;
Oh! waes me for Prince Charlie.
On hills that are by right his ain
He roams a lonely stranger;
On ilka hand he‘s press'd by want,
On ilka side by danger.
Yestreen I met him in a glen,
My heart near bursted fairly,
For sadly chang'd indeed was he;
Oh! waes me for Prince Charlie.
Dark night came'on the tempest howl'd
Out o'er the hills and valleys;
And where was't that your prince lay down,
Whose hame should been a palace?
He rowed him in a Highland plaid,
Which covered him but sparely,
And slept beneath a bush o'broom:
Oh! waes me for Prince Charlie.
But now the bird saw some red-coats,
And he shook his wings wi' anger;
O this is no a land for me,
I'll tarry here nae langer.
A while he hovered on the wing,
Ere he departed fairly;
But weel l mind the fareweel strain,——
‘Twas, waes me for Prince Charlie.