Lyr Add: The Fire Raisers (Jim Mclean)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FIRE RAISERS (Jim Mclean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 12:11 PM

I have been asked for lyrics for a some of my Highland Clearance/Eviction songs, recorded in 1968 by Alastair McDonald and others. This one tells the story of Patrick Sellar, leader of the Fire Raisers, who later became a wealthy sheep-farmer. Date, 1814 onwards.


THE FIRE RAISERS
Jim Mclean 1968
(a two part rousing tune)

Down through the glen came Sellar's men,
Wi' burning brands in their blood stained hands,
They blazed a path through glen and strath,
The factor's Fire Raisers.

They roamed in bands through Sutherland,
Evicting clans at the Duke's command,
Soon the sheep would roam in the blackened homes,
In the wake of the Fire Raisers,

They set on fire both house and byre,
They smashed down doors and plundered stores.
Young Sellar cried "The Gael must die! --
Lead on brave Fire raisers."

For the Duke said "Men, in my mountain glen,
One sheep's worth more than a Highland score,
So turn them out or burn them out,
My faithful Fire Raisers."

The law had come with fire and gun,
"Make way or die!" was the factor's cry,
So the land was cleared with fire and fear
By the factor's Fire Raisers.

The heather blazed where the cattle grazed,
The corn grew black on the smoking tack,
The people damned by the black faced ram-
And the factor's Fire Raisers.


Regards,
Jim Mclean