The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #1194   Message #3681
Posted By: John O'Keefe
30-Mar-97 - 05:19 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: You take the high road & I'll take the lo
Subject: Lyr Add: LOCH LOMOND
Like many tunes coming out of the Celtic tradition the emphasis is on the story. I'm not sure if there are any "true" versions of this song. The name it normally goes by is "Loch Lomond" or "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond." The words, as such, are not as important as the message of the heart coming home again.

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

CHORUS: Oh, you take the high road an' I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland before ye
But trouble is there and mony hearts are sair (sore)
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

We'll meet where we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond
When in purple hue the highland hills we view
And the moon coming over the gloamin

CHORUS: Oh you take...

Still fair is the scene but ah how changed
Are the hopes that we fondly cherished
Like a wat'ry gleam like a morning dream
On Culloden's field they hae (have) perished

CHORUS: Oh you...

The wild flowers spring and the wee birdies sing
And in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart it kens (knows) nae (no) second spring
An' resigned we may be tho' we're greetin'

CHORUS: Oh you...

I hope you don't find the translations condescending, I just thought they might be a help as well. Oh, and just so you know...Most people don't know or sing those last two verses, they tend to change the song's intent. Nowadays it is sung as a love lament only, but there was a time when it included the JACOBITE theme as well. I'm sure that's much more information than you needed.