The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 87

Wae's me for Prince Charlie

Wae's me for Prince Charlie.

slowly Words BY William Glen A wee bird cam' to our lia'l door, He war - bled sweet and clear - ly, An aye the o'er-come2 o his sang Was "Wae's me for Prince Char - lie." Oh! when I heard the bonnie bonnie bird, The tears cam' drap-pin' rare - ly; I took my ban - net aff my head, For weel I lo'ed Prince Char - lie. 1 Hall. 2 Burden.

Quoth I, "My bird, my bonnie bonnie bird,
Is that a tale ye borrow.
Or is't some words ye've learnt by rote,
Or a lilt
3 o' dool 4 an' sorrow?"
"Oh! no, no, no," the wee bird sang,
"I've flown sin' mornin' early,
But sic a day o' wind and rain—
O! waes me for Prince Charlie!

["On hills that are by richt his ain,
He roams a lonely stranger;
On ilka hand he's press'd by want, On ilka side by danger.
Yestreen I met him in a glen.
My heart maist burstit fairly;
For sairly changed indeed was he—
Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie.]

["Dark night cam' on, the tempest roar'd
Cold o'er the hills and valleys;
An' whaur was't that your prince lay down,
Whase hame should been a palace?
He row'd him in a Highland plaid,
Which cover'd him but sparely,
An' slept beneath a bush o' broom—
Oh! wae's me for Prince Charlie."]

But now the bird saw some red coats,
An' he shook his wings wi' anger,
"O! this Is no a land for me,
I'll tarry here nae langer."
Awhile he hovered on the wing
Ere he departed fairly,
But weel I mind the fareweel strain
Was "Wae's me for Prince Charlie!"

3 Strain.

4 Grief.