The Blue Bonnets o'er the Border (1826, Stirling)/The Blue Bonnets o'er the Border

by Walter Scott

For other versions of this work, see Blue Bonnets Over the Border.

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THE BLUE BONNETS O'ER THE BORDER.

 

March, march, Ettrick and Tiviotdale!
Wby the deil dinna ye march forward in order!
March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale,
A' the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.
Many a banner spread,
Flutters above your head,
Many a crest that is famous in story,
Mount and make ready then,
Sons of the mountain glen,
Fight for the Queen, and your old Scottish glory.
March, march, let us a' march,
Ye bold sons of Scotia, march in good order;
March, march, let us a' march,
For a' the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.

March, march, ye sons of Dumfries-shire,
Nithsdale and Annandale, march in good order;
March, march, Wigton and Gallowa',
Follow your Chieftains that's bound for the Border,
The Claymore is drawn now,
Scotia's sons bend the bow,
Let now the proud foe put you in disorder!
Who dares to risk his life,
And share the bloody strife,
'Mong the Blue Bonnets that's bound for the Border,
March, march, let us a' march, &c.

Great were the deeds that your forefathers wrought,
Which still are recorded in history's story;
And dear was the victory our enemies bought,
When a' the Blue Bonnets were led on to glory.
Then let us revenge our wrongs,
Claim what to us belongs;
Ages unborn yet shall be our recorder,
When Scotia's sons leal and true,
Plumb'd in their bonnets blue,
Conquer'd the foe that usurp'd on the Border!
March, march, let us a' march, &c.

Come from the hills where your hirsels are grazing,
Come frae the glen of the buck and the roe!
Come to the craig where the beacon is blazing!
Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow!
When trumpets are sounding,
War steeds are bounding,
Stand to your arms then, and march in good order;
England shall many a day,
Tell of the bloody fray,
When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border.
March, march, let us a' march, &c.