Blaring trumpets sounded far
Horseman wore their gear for war
English came up tae Dunbar
Upon the misty morning,
Prince Charlie wi' his Hieland host
Lay westward on the Lothian coast.
Mony's the taunt our Johnny did boast
Whit he'd dae that mornin'.
Run, run ye ganglin' crew
This morning's work ye lang shall rue
For the bonnie blue bonnets are after you
Tae wish ye's a' guid mornin...
Lang ere the cock proclaimed the day
The Prince's men stood in array.
Proud, impatient for the fray,
That fell on them that morning.
"Row dow dow" said the English drum,
The Hieland bagpipes made their hum
Call all the mountain clans to come
Death and danger's callin'.
Ilk hand was firm, ilk heart was true,
A shot and doon their guns they threw,
Forth the dreaded claymores drew
Upon that fearful morning.
The English raised a loud Huzzah!
But nane daur bide the brunt of a'.
Wavered, turned, then rin awa'
Like sheep at shepherds' horning.
Whit sad mishap that few befell
Wha' feinted, groaned the battle yell
Still Gardiner fought and fighting fell
Upon that fatal morning.
Nae braggart but a soldier, he
Wad scorn wi' coward loons tae flee
And fell beneath the auld thorn tree,
Upon that fearsome mornin'.
Fast, fast, the foot and horsemen flew
Red caps were mixed wi' bonnie blue
Dirks were wet, but no wi' dew,
Upon that fatal morning.
Nane stayed save ane devoted band
Tae bide the brunt of Hieland man
Ran awa' wi heid in haund
Upon that dreadful mornin'.
To boast our deeds becomes us ill,
Scotland has her border still,
Though some remain who long to kill,
The land of thought and learnin'.
The Roman Legions tried in vain,
The Saxon, aye, and Viking came,
Nane o' them could us contain,
Heed this gentle warnin'.
Run, run ye ganglin' crew
This morning's work ye lang shall rue
For the bonnie blue bonnets are after you
Tae wish ye's a' guid mornin...
Aye, run, run ye ganglin' crew
For the bonnie blue bonnets are after you
All we really want to do
Is wish ye's a' guid mornin'!