O where, tell me where.
[Written for George Thomson's collection by Mrs. Grant of Laggan, on the Marquis of Huntly's departure for the continent with his regiment in 1799. Tune, "The Blue Bell of Scotland."]
Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone?
O where, tell me where, is your Highland laddie gone?
He's gone with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done,
And my sad heart will tremble till he come safely home.
O where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie stay?
O where, tell me where, did your Highland laddie stay?
He dwelt beneath the holly trees, beside the rapid Spey,
And many a blessing follow'd him, the day he went away.
O what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear?
O what, tell me what, does your Highland laddie wear?
A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war,
And a plaid across the manly breast that yet shall wear a star.
Suppose, ah suppose, that some cruel, cruel wound
Should pierce your Highland laddie, and all your hopes confound!
The pipe would play a cheering march, the banners round him fly,
The spirit of a Highland chief would lighten in his eye.
But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonnie bounds,
But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonnie bounds,
His native land of liberty shall nurse his glorious wounds,
While wide through all our Highland hills his warlike name resounds.
[The following is another version of the song by an unknown hand.]
O where, and O where, does your Highland laddie dwell?
O where, and O where, does your Highland laddie dwell?
He dwells in merry Scotland, where the blue-bells sweetly smell,
And oh, in my heart I love my laddie well.
O what, lassie, what does your Highland laddie wear?
O what, lassie, what does your Highland laddie wear?
A scarlet coat and bannet blue, with bonnie yellow hair;
And nane in the warld can wi' my love compare.
O where, and O where, is your Highland laddie gane?
O where, and O where, is your Highland laddie gane?
He's gone to fight for George, our king, and left us all alane;
For noble and brave's my loyal Highlandman.
O what, lassie, what, if your Highland lad be slain?
O what, lassie, what, if your Highland lad be slain?
O no! true love will be his guard, and bring him safe again;
For I never could live without my Highlandman!
O when, and O when, will your Highland lad come hame?
O when, and O when, will your Highland lad come hame?
Whene'er the war is over, he'll return to me with fame;
And I'll plait a wreath of flowers for my lovely Highlandman.
O what will you claim for your constancy to him?
O what will you claim for your constancy to him?
I'll claim a priest to marry us, a clerk to say Amen;
And I'll ne'er part again from my bonnie Highlandman.