Alastair McDonald - Harlaw

Harlaw by Alastair McDonald, from the album “Battles and Ballads of Scotland“. “The Battle of Harlaw“ is a traditional Scottish ballad about the Battle of Harlaw which took place in 1411 between the armies of Donald of the Isles and the Earl of Mar. The battle was indecisive for both sides, but is remembered as one of the bloodiest battles fought on Scottish ground. Lyrics And cam ye frae the Hielans man? And cam ye a the wye? Saw ye MacDonald and and his men As they cam in frae Skye? Chorus: Wey a darum, a droo and a dree and a drum Wey a darum, a droo drum drae And cam ye near and near eneuch Did ye their numbers see? Come tell to me John Hielanman What micht their numbers be? It’s I cam in by the Garioch land And doon by Nether Ha’ And I saw MacDonald and his men A-marching tae Harlaw And I cam near and near eneuch And I their numbers saw There were forty thoosand Hielanmen A-marching tae Harlaw The Hielanmen with their lang swords Fell in at us fu’ sair And they drave back wir Lawlanmen Three acres breadth and mair Lord Forbes tae his brother did say Oh brother, dinnaye see? They’ve drave us back on ilka side And we’ll be forced tae flee! Oh na, na, na, my brother dear This thing it maunna be Ye’ll tak yer guid sword in yer haun And ye’ll gang in wi me Then back tae back the brothers brave Gaed in amang the thrang And they struck doon the Hielanmen Wi swords baith shairp an lang The first blow that Lord Forbes struck The sword ran in an ell The second blow that Forbes struck The great MacDonald fell Sic a cry frae among the Hielanmen When ye see their leader fa They cairtit him and buirit him Alang by fair Harlaw Gin anyun should speir at ye For them that’s gade awa Just tell them plain and unco plain They’re sleepin’ at Harlaw