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The Book of Scottish Song/Maclaine

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Mary Ross2268930The Book of Scottish Song — Maclaine1843Alexander Whitelaw

Maclaine.

[A ballad of the Forty-five, written, composed, and dedicated to the Clan, by Miss Ross.]

Banners are waving o'er Morven's dark heath,
Claymores are flashing from many a sheath;
Hark! 'tis the gathering. On, onward! they cry;
Far flies the signal to conquer or die.
Then follow thee, follow a boat to the sea,
Thy Prince in Glen Moidart is waiting for thee,
Where war-pipes are sounding and banners are free,
Maclaine and his clansmen the foremost you'll see.

Wildly the war-cry has startled yon stag,
And waken'd the echoes of Gillian's lone crag;
Up hill and down glen each brave mountaineer
Has belted his plaid and has mounted his spear.
Then follow thee, &c.

The signal is heard from mountain to shore,
They rush like the flood o'er dark Corry-vohr,
The war-note is sounding, loud, wildly, and high,
Louder they shout, On, to conquer or die!
Then follow thee, &c.

The heath-bell at morn so proudly ye trod,
Son of the mountain! now covers thy sod;
Wrapt in your plaid, 'mid the bravest ye lie,
The words as ye fell still conquer or die.
Then follow thee, &c.