I couldn't fancy I would have had problems with this one, since there is a booklet that goes with the cd. But the transciption in the booklet is full of mistakes. I've tried to correct some, and maybe I've added a few more. Please, help. Thank you. R

The Battle of Harlaw
Jeannie Robertson, The Queen Among The Heather, The Alan Lomax Collection – Portraits, Rounder 11661-1720-2, 1998, ballad recorded 1953

As I came by the Geerich lan'
And doon by Netherth ha' (JR doesn't sing Nether Ha')
There were fìfty-thoosand hielan'men
A-marchin' tae Harlaw

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

It's did ye come fae the hielands, man
And did ye come a' the wye?
And did ye see MacDonaId an' his men
As they marched fae Skye?

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye?

It's I came fae the hielands, man
An' I came a' the wye
An' I saw MacDonaId an' his men
As they marched fae Skye

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

It's wis you near and near enough
Did ye their number see?
Come tell tae me, John Hielandman
What might their number be?

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

For I was near and near enough
And I their number saw
There were fifty thoosand hielan'men
A-marching tae Harlaw

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

For they went on and further on
And doon and by Bulquhain
It's there they met Sir James O'Ross (?)
(?) Who answered (???) John the Grame

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

If that be stout (?) – said Sir James O'Ross
We'll no' come muckle speed
We will call upon wor merry men
And we'll turn our horses' heads

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

O nay, O nay - said Sir John the Grame
Sich things will (?) maune dee
For the gallant Grames were never beaten (?)
(?) We'll try what they can dee

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

For they went on and further on
And doon and by Harlaw
They fell full close on ilky side
Such strikes you never saw

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

They fell full close on ilky side
Such strikes you never saw
For ilky sword gied clash for clash
At the battle o' Harlaw

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

The hieland men with their long swords
They (?) lating (???) us full sair
They drove back wor merry men
Three acres breadth and mair

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

Lord Forbes to his brother did say:
O brother dinna you see
They've beat us back on every side
And we'll be forced to flee

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

O nay, O nay, my brother dear
O nay, that mauna be
For you'll tak' your guid sword in your hand
And you'll gang in wi' me

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

For the two brothers brave
Gaed in amongst the thrang
They swobbed doon the hieland men
With swords both sharp and lang

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

The first strike Lord Forbes gied
The brave MacDonald reeled
The second strike Lord Forbes gied
The brave MacDonald fell

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye

What a cry amang the hielan'men
When they seed (?) their leader fall
They lifted him and buried him
A lang mile fae Harlaw

Singing diddi-i-o, sing fa-la-do, sing diddi-e-i-o-i-aye