The Book of Scottish Song/Caledonians, brave and bold
Caledonians, brave and bold.
[Written by Geo. Macfarren.—Set to music by T. Cooke.]
Caledonians, brave and bold,
Heroes, never bought or sold,
Sons of sires, who died of old
To gild a martial story!
Beauty claims the warrior's shield,
In her cause the death sword yield
Draw and join the battle field,
On to death or glory!
Who would shun the glorious strife?
Where's the slave would cling to life,
When father, husband, daughter, wife,
For prompt relief implore ye?
Who would yield soft woman's charms
To bless a ruffian foeman's arms?
Perish the thought! sound, sound your alarms!
On to death or glory!
Here's the path to sluggard peace,
Here's the haunt of dastard ease,
That sink to death, by slow degrees,
Unhonour'd, weak, and hoary:
But ye who court a brighter name,
This way lies the road to fame;
Follow then through flood and flame,
And shout, For death or glory!