History & Politics
Red Clan-Ranald's Men
From The Poetical Works of the Ettrick Shepherd (Blackie, 1838–40)
There's news — news— gallant news,
That Caril disna ken, joe
There's gallant news of tartan trews,
And red Clan-Ranald's men, joe.
There has been blinking on the bent,
And slashing on the fell , joe ;
The red-coat sparks hae got their yerks,
But Caril darena tell, joe.
The prig dragoons they swore by 'zoons,
The rebels' hides to tan, joe ;
But when they fand the Highland brand,
They funkit and they ran, joe.
And had the frumpy froward Duke,
Wi' a' his brags o' weir, joe,
But met our Charlie hand to hand,
In a' his Highland gear, joe ;
Had English might stood by the right,
As they did vaunt fu' vain, joe,
Or played the parts of Highland hearts,
The day was a' our ain, joe.
We darena say the right's the right,
Though weel the right we ken, joe ;
But we dare think, and take a drink
To red Clan-Ranald's men, joe.
Afore I saw our rightfu' prince
Frae foreign foggies flee, joe,
I'd lend a hand at Cumberland
To rowe it in the sea, joe.
Come fill a cup, and fill it up,
We'll drink the toast ye ken, joe.
And add, beside, the Highland plaid,
And red Clan-Ranald's men, joe.
We'll drink to Athole's gallant band,
To Cluny of the Glen, joe,
To Donald Blue, and Appin true,
And red Clan-Ranald's men, joe ;
And cry out news — our gallant news,
That Caril disna ken, joe,
Our gallant news of tartan trews,
And red Clan-Ranald's men, joe.
Codex Note
A pretended transcript from "Dwomony's beuk," relating to the skirmish on Clifton Moor, 18 December 1745.
Cite this poem
MLA
Hogg, James. “Red Clan-Ranald's Men.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hogg/174/.
Chicago
Hogg, James. “Red Clan-Ranald's Men.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hogg/174/.
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