The Three Men of Moriston

Now cease of auld ferlies to tell us,
That happen'd nane living kens when ;
I'll sing you of three noble fellows
Wha lived in the wild Highlan' glen.

The times were grown hard to brave Donald,
For lost was Culloden's sad day ;
The hearts o' the chiefs were a' broken,
And O, but poor Donald was wae !

They keekit out o'er the wild correi, —
The towers of Clan- Ranald were gone ;
The reek it hung red o'er Glengarry ;
Lochaber was herried and lone !
They turn'd them about on the mountain,
The last o' their shealings to see ;
" O, hon a High!" cried poor Donald ;
" There's naething but sorrow for me !"

Now our three noble lads are in hiding,
Afar in Glen-Moriston's height ;
lu the rock a' the day they are biding,
And the moon is their candle by night.
And oft their rash rising they rued it,
As looking o'er ravage and death,
And blamed their ain prince, Charlie Stuart,
For causing the Highlands sic skaith.

Ae night they sat fearfu' o' danger,
And snappit their kebbuck fu' keen,
When in came a stately young stranger,
As ragged as man e'er was seen.

They hadna weel lookit around them
Till tears cam happing like rain —
" You're welcome, young Dugald M'Cluny ;
For a' you see here is your am !"

Each kend the brave wreck of Culloden ,
But dared not to mention his name,
Lest one of the three had betray 'd him,
And cover 'd their country wi' shame.
They served him with eager devotion,
They clad him from shoulder to tae,
Spread his board from the moor and the ocean,
And watch'd o'er him a' the lang day.

They had not a plack in their coffer,
They had not a ewe on the brae,
Yet kend o' mair goud in their offer
Than they could have carried away.
Now crack o' your Grecian and Roman !

We've cast them a' back in the shade ;
Gieme a leal-hearted M' Donald,
Wi' nought but his dirk and his plaid !

The sun shines sweet on the heather,
When tempests are over and gane ;
But honour shines bright in all weather,
Through poverty, hardship, and pain.
Though we had ne'er heard o' Clan-Ronald's
Nor gallant Glengarry's wild sway,
The names of the loyal M' Donalds
Had flourish'd for ever and aye !