NORA'S VOW. AIR-" Cha teid mis a chaoidh."1 WRITTEN FOR ALBYN'S ANTHOLOGY, [1816.]? In the original Gaelic the Lady makes protestations that she will not go with the Red Earl's son, until the swan should build in the cliff, and the eagle in the lake-until one mountain should change places with another, and so forth. It is but fair to add, that there is no authority for supposing that she altered her mindexcept the vehemence of her protestation. I. HEAR What Highland Nora said, 1 "I will never go with him." 2 [See also Mr Thomson's Scottish Collection, 1822.] For all the gold, for all the gear, I would not wed the Earlie's son." II. "A maiden's vows," old Callum spoke, III. "The swan," she said, "the lake's clear breast May barter for the eagle's nest ; The Awe's fierce stream may backward turn, IV. Still in the water-lily's shade Her wonted nest the wild-swan made; Ben-Craichan stands as fast as ever, Still downward foams the Awe's fierce river; -She's wedded to the Earlie's son ! MACGREGOR'S GATHERING. AIR-" Thain' a Grigalach." WRITTEN FOR ALBYN'S ANTHOLOGY, [1816.] The severe treat These verses are adapted to a very wild, yet lively qathering tune, used by the MacGregors. ment of this Clan, their outlawry, and the proscription of their very name, are alluded to in the Ballad 2 THE moon s on the lake, and the mist's on the brae, And the Clan has a name that is nameless by day; Then gather, gather, gather, Grigalach! Gather, gather, gather, &c. 1 "The MacGregor is come. 2 [For the history of the clan, see Introduction to Rob RoyWaverley Novels, vol. vii.] Our signal for fight, that from monarchs we drew, Must be heard but by night in our vengeful haloo! Then haloo, Grigalach! haloo, Grigalach! Haloo, haloo, haloo, Grigalach, &c. Glen Orchy's proud mountains, Còalchuirn and her towers, Glenstrae and Glenlyon no longer are ours; We're landless, landless, landless, Grigalach! But doom'd and devoted by vassal and lord, MacGregor has still both his heart and his sword! Then courage, courage, courage, Grigalach! Courage, courage, courage, &c. If they rob us of name, and pursue us with beagles, Give their roofs to the flame, and their flesh to the eagles ! Then vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, Grigalach! Vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, &c. While there's leaves in the forest, and foam on the river, MacGregor, despite them, shall flourish for ever! Come then, Grigalach, come then, Grigalach. Come then, come then, come then, &c. |