...and a nice post from Wolfgang:

Thread #1959   Message #7060
Posted By: Wolfgang Hell
19-Jun-97 - 10:46 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Edinburgh songs
Subject: Lyr Add: BONNIE DUNDEE^^


Bonnie Dundee

To the Lords of Convention, 'twas Clverhouse spoke,
"Ere the King's criwn goes down, there are hearts to be broke.
Let each cavalier here who loves honor and me,
Come follow the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!"

[chorus]
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can.
Saddle my horse and call out my men.
Unlatch the west port and let us go free,
For it's up with the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!

Dundee he is mounted he rides down the street,
The bells they ring backwards, the drums they do beat.
But the provost (douce man) said, "Just e'en let if be,
For the town is well rid of that devil Dundee!"

[chorus]

As he rode down the sanctified bends of the Bow,
Ilk carline was flirting and shakin' her pow
But the young sprigs o'grace were looking coothie and sly
Thinking, "Luck to your bonnet, my Bonnie Dundee!"

[chorus]

With sour-face-d Whigs the Grassmarket was crammed,
As if half the West had set tryst to be hanged;
There was spite in each look, there was fear in each eye,
As they watched for the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee

[chorus]

Those cowards of Kilmarnoc had spits and had spears,
And long-hafted gullies to kill cavaliers,
But they shrunk to their doorways and the causeway was free,
At the toss of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!

[chorus]

He spurred to the foot of the proud castle rock,
And with the brave Gordon he gallantly spok,
"Let Mons Meg and her marrows speak two words or three,
For the love of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!"

[chorius]

The Gordon demands of him which way he goes,
"Where-er shall direct me the shade of Montrose!
Your grace in short space shall hear tidings of me,
Or that low lies the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!"

[chorus]

There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth.
If there's lords in the Lowlands, there's chiefs in the north;
There are bonnie Duniewassals three thousand times three,
Who'll shout "Hoigh! for the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!"

[chorus]

Then away to the hills, to the lea, to the rocks,
Ere I own a usurper I'll crouch with the fox.
And tremble you traitors in the midst of your glee,
For you've not seen the last of me bonnets and me!

[chorus]

There is brass on the target of barkened bull hide;
There is steel in the scabbard that dangles beside.
The brass shall be burnished and the steel shall flash free
At a toss of the bonnet of Bonnie Dundee!

[chorus]

He waved his proud hand and the trumpets were blown;
The kettle drums clashed and the horsemen rode on
'Til on Ravelstone's Cliffs and on Clermiston's Lea
Died away the wild war notes of Bonnie Dundee

[chorus]

Historical note: "The famous song, 'Bonnie Dundee', celebrated an unavailing attempt by John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, to sway the Convention called by William III in 1688 in Edinburgh to ratify his succession. Despairing of carrying the vote and afraid of an attempt on his person, he rode off at the head of his mounted followers, causing consternation among the faint-hearted citizens. His departure had the effect of causing many who favored his views to withdraw also and those who favored William were left without opposition. Meanwhile, Dundee withdrew to the Highlands and set about raising an army."

From Scottish & Border Battles & Ballads

Just "copy & paste"d down from:

http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/dundee/bonnie_d.htm

Wolfgang