From The Pocket Encyclopedia of Scottish, English, and Irish Songs, Vol. I (Glasgow: J. Smith & Son, et al., 1816), page 105:

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THE HIGHLAND LADDIE.

Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland Laddie gone?
Oh where, tell me where, is your Highland Laddie gone?
He's gone with streaming banners, where noble deeds are done,
And my sad heart will tremble, till he come safely home.
He's gone, &c.

O where, tell me where, did your Highland Laddie stay?
O where, tell me where, did your Highland Laddie stay?
He dwelt beneath the holly-trees, beside the rapid Spey,
And monie a blessing follow'd him, the day he gaed away.
He dwelt, &c.

O what, tell me what, does your Highland Laddie wear?
O what, tell me what, does your Highland Laddie wear?
A bonnet with a lofty plume, the gallant badge of war,
And a plaid across his manly breast, that yet shall wear a star.
A bonnet, &c.

Ah suppose, ah suppose that some cruel, cruel wound
Should pierce your Highland Laddie's breast, and all your hopes confound!
The pipe should play a cheerfu' strain, the banners round him fly,
And the spirit of a Highland chief should glister in his eye!
The pipe should play, &c.

But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonnie bounds,
But I will hope to see him yet in Scotland's bonnie bounds,
His native land of liberty will nurse his glorious wounds,
While wide through all the Highland hills his warlike name resounds.
His native land, &c.*


* This song is the production of Mrs. Grant of Laggan, the writer of a volume of Poetry published several years ago, containing the Highlanders, &c. and of Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen, a Poem. It was composed on occasion of the Marquis of Huntley's departure for the continent with his regiment in the year 1793.