The Battle of Harlaw- (Scotland) Lang 1823 Child B
[The Battle of Harlaw] Version B; Child 163 The Battle of Harlaw
The Thistle of Scotland, 1823, p. 92. [The three verses (numbered I. II. III.) given by Alexander Laing with the following commentary: "There is a burlesque song sung in the country on this memorable occasion—I shall insert but a few stanzas, as I think it not worth the attention of the public."]
1 As I cam thro the Garrioch land,
And in by Over Ha,
There was sixty thousan Highland men
Marching to Harlaw.
11 The Highland men, with their broad sword,
Pushd on wi might and power,
Till they bore back the red-coat lads
Three furlongs long, and more.
15 Lord Forbes calld his men aside,
Says, Take your breath awhile,
Until I send my servant now
To bring my coat o mail.
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[From: The Thistle of Scotland: a selection of ancient ballads, with notes By Alexander Laing; 1823]
Irvine of Drum fell at the battle of Harlaw; Maule of Panmure; Abemethy of Salton; Straiton of Laurieston; and Robert Davidson, Provost of Aberdeen. All these were honourably numbered with the dead, but their names are enrolled in the pages of history.
Provost Davidson was carried to Aberdeen, and buried with great honour in the floor of the church of St. Nicholas. In the year 1when the West Church was rebuilding, his grave was distinctly seen.
In a folio history of Scotland, published in 1749, there isi this fabulous account, that Donald was victorious, and remained on the field.
There is a burlesque song sung in the country on this memorable occasion—I shall insert but a few stanzas, as I think it t;ot worth the attention of the public.
I. As I cam thro' the Garrioch land,
And in by over ha,
There was sixty thousan highland men
Marching to Harlaw.
II. The highland men with their broad sword,
Push'd on wi' might and power,
Till they bore back the red coat lads,
Three furlongs long and more.
III. Lord Forbes call'd his man aside,
Says take your breath awhile,
Until I send my servant now,
To bring my coat o' maiL
I do not think it proper to insert more of this burlesque, as my readers will observe, that I mean only to preserve relics of antiquity, and those of my own country, of which alas! too many are lost.