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Lyr Add: Stirling Brig (Jim Mclean)

31 Jul 02 - 08:55 AM (#757494)
Subject: Lyr Add: STIRLING BRIG (Jim Mclean)
From: Jim McLean

I've noticed a few people looking for my lyrics to Stirling Brig and I've received some emails. The following are the correct lyrics as I've seen some peculiar versions!

STIRLING BRIG

Words: Jim Mclean Tune: Cam ye ower fae France

(1)

Doon by Stirling Brig
Wallace lay a-hiding
As the English host
Frae the Sooth cam riding
Lood the river Forth
Atween them baith was roaring
Nerra were the sides
O' the Brig o' Stirling.

(2)

Watching frae the wid
Wallace and the Moray
As the English cam
Wi the Earl o' Surrey
Ane by ane they crossed
As the brig was birlin
Still they onward cam
Ower the Brig o' Stirling.

(3)

Wallace gied the shout
Oot his men cam rinnin
Stopped the English host
On the Brig o' Stirling
Cressingham turned roon
The Brig was sma' for turning
Morey cut him doon
On the Brig o' Stirling

(4)

A' the English men
Ran intil each other
Nane could turn aboot
Nane could gae much further
Some fell ower the side
An' in the Forth were droonin
Some were left tae dee
On the Brig o' Stirling

(5)

Surrey he was wild
Couldnae ford the river
Wished wi' a' his micht
That the Brig was bigger
Then he rade awa
Lood the man was cursing
Wallace an' his men -----
And the Brig o' Stirling.

Jim McLean Published by Duart Music London

Line breaks - <br> - added. --JoeClone

31 Jul 02 - 09:03 AM (#757497)
Subject: RE: Lyrics Sirling Brig
From: MMario

A most gracious thank you sir!

01 Aug 02 - 08:05 AM (#758037)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Stirling Brig
From: Teribus

Good song Jim!

Interesting note on the battle. When Surrey arrived and saw Wallace's position across the river he was advised to ford the river further upstream. Surrey's second in command Cressingham (who apart from being montrously fat, was Edward I's paymaster in Scotland) viewed this as some sort of trick to extend the campaign and increase the cost to his master, decided to ignore the advice and cross by Stirling Bridge.

Stirling Bridge was a narrow wooden structure that would only allow the passage of two mounted men riding side by side. Wallace had had the northern supports of the bridge weakened. Cressingham led the van of the English army across, when on a pre-arranged signal from Wallace the bridge was collapsed, leaving Surrey impotently raging on the other side.

Cressingham was killed in the battle and afterwards had the hide flayed off his body. The hide was tanned and used by Wallace as the scabbard for his sword.

One of Surrey's advisors prior to the start of the battle was Robert the Bruce.

12 Oct 10 - 10:53 AM (#3005201)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Stirling Brig
From: maple_leaf_boy

Ronnie Browne sings this solo, and he adds another verse to it.