The Book of Scottish Song/O brother Sandie

O brother Sandie.

[After the above severe Jacobite effusion, it may be but fair to give a Whig song on the other side of the question. Burns was mistaken in thinking that all the political songs of the period were in favour of the Stuart dynasty, but it is not to be denied, that those on that side were by far the most numerous and the best. The following was written on the rebellion of '45, and sung to the tune of "Lillibulero, bullen a la," (Uncle Toby's tune.) Lillibulero, bullen a la, were the pass words used by the Catholics during the dreadful Irish massacre of 1641.]

O brother Sandie, hear ye the news?
⁠Lillibulero, bullen a la,
An army 's just coming without any shoes,
⁠Lillibulero, bullen a la.

⁠To arms, to arms! brave boys, to arms!
⁠A true British cause for your courage doth ca';
⁠Court, country, and city against a banditti,
⁠Lillibulero, bullen a la.

The pope sends us over a bonnie young lad,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
Who, to court British favour, wears a Highland plaid,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.

A protestant church from Rome doth advance,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
And, what is more rare, it brings freedom from France,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.

If this shall surprise you, there's news stranger yet,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
He brings Highland money to pay British debt,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.

You must take it in coin which the country affords,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
Instead of broad pieces, he pays with broad swords,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.

And sure this is paying you in the best ere,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
For who once is thus paid will never want more,
⁠Lillibulero, &c.
⁠To arms, to arms! brave boys, to arms!
⁠A true British cause for your courage doth ca';
⁠Court, country, and city against a banditti,
⁠Lillibulero, bullen a la.

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