As with a number of other Scottish patriotic songs, the lyrics commemorate the defeat of Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314

Ergo

Scots Wha Hae

Words: Robert Burns

    Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
    Socts, wham Bruce has aften led;
    Welcome to your gory bed,
    Or to victorie.

    Now's the day, and now's the hour;
    See the front o' battle lour;
    See approach proud Edward's power ---
    Chains and slaverie!

    Wha will be a traitor-knave?
    Wha can fill a coward's grave?
    Wha sae base as be a slave?
    Let him turn and flee!

    Wha for Scotland's king and law
    Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
    --- Free-man stand, or Free-man fa',
    Let him follow me!

    By oppression's woes and pains!
    By your sons in servile chains!
    We will drain our dearest veins,
    But they shall be free!

    Lay the proud usurpers low!
    Tyrants fall in every foe!
    Liberty's in every blow!
    Let us do, or die!


Fields of Bannockburn

    Twas on a bonnie simmer's day,
    me English came in grand array
    King Edward's orders to obey ,
    Upon the Field of Bannockburn.

    cho: Sae loudly let the Pibroch wake
    Each loyal Clan frae hill and lake ,
    And boldly fight for Scotia's sake
    Upon the Field of Bannockburn.

    King Edward raised his standard high,
    Bruce shook his banners in reply -
    Each army shouts for victory
    Upon the Field of Bannockburn.

    The English horse wi' deadly aim
    Upon the Scottish army came;
    But hundrteds in our pits were slain
    Upon the Field of Bannockburn.

    Loud rose the war cry of McNeil,
    Who flew like tigers to the field
    And made the Sass'nach army feel
    There were dauntless hearts at Bannockburn.

    McDonald's clan, how firm their pace-
    Dark vengeance gleams in ev'ry face,
    Lang had they thirsted to embrace
    Their Sass'nach friends at Bannockburn.

    The Fraser bold his brave clan led,
    While wide their thistle banners spread-
    They boldly fell and boldly bled
    Upon the Field of Bannockburn.

    The ne'er behind brave Douglas came,
    And also with him Donald Graham,
    Their blood-red painted swords did stain
    The glorious Field of Bannockburn.

    That day King Edward's heart did mourn,
    With joy each Scottish heart did burn,
    In mem'ry now let us return
    Our thanks to Bruce at Bannockburn.

It's a long story

Giok