Jacobite songs

The Jacobites were the supporters of King James VII of Scotland and II of Great Britain, his son James, 'The Old Pretender', and his grandson Prince Charles Edward Stuart,'The Young Pretender'. The word Jacobite comes from Jacobus, King James's name in Latin. Battles involving Jacobite and government forces included Killiecrankie, Sheriffmuir, Prestonpans and Culloden. After 1746 the Jacobites made little further attempt to regain the throne.

Songs were written at the time in Gaelic and Scots, for example 'The Braes of Killiecrankie' and 'Hey Johnnie Cope'.

Jacobite songs in Gaelic

There is a very large body of Jacobite songs in Gaelic as many of the Gaelic-speaking Highland clans (though not all) fought on the side of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'. Many of the great Gaelic poets of the 18th century were Jacobite supporters and composed songs on the subject - they include Rob Donn MacKay, Duncan Bàn MacIntyre, William Ross and Alexander MacDonald, who was present when Prince Charles raised the Jacobite standard at Glenfinnan.

The Sutherland poet Rob Donn did not take part in the rising, and his chief - Lord Reay - supported the Hanoverian side (the incumbent rulers). But Rob was still for the Prince as this 'Òran do Phrionnsa Tearlach' shows: 
 

An-diugh, an-diugh, gu reusantach
Dhuinn èirigh ann an sanntachas,
An trìtheamh là air crìochnachadh
Do dhara mìos a’ gheamhraidh dhuinn;
‘S gun deanmaid comunn fàilteach riut
Gu bruidhneach, gàireach, amhranach,
Gu bot’lach, copach, stòpanach,
Le cruit, le ceòl ‘s le dannsaireachd.

Today, today, tis right for us
To rise up in all eagerness,
The third day since the second month
Of winter now has come to end;
We’ll welcome thee full heartily,
With laughter, speech and melody,
And readily we’ll drink thy health,
With harp and song, and dancing too.  

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Gillebrìde MacMillan from South Uist sings a contemporary arrangement of the song.

'Oran do Phrionnsa Tearlach' performed by Gillebride MacMillan.

From 'Thogainn Ort Fonn', SKYECD42, Track 10, Macmeanmna.

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Moidart-born Alexander MacDonald, possibly the finest Gaelic poet of the 18th century, also fought for the Jacobite side, and was among the first to join the prince when he made his call to arms at Glenfinnan. He was even called upon to try (unsuccessfully) to teach the prince some Gaelic! Nevertheless, he saw himself as a propagandist for the cause through his poetry, and wrote many inspiring songs during the campaign and afterwards, when he continued to write optimistically of a return of the rightful King. 

This 'òran brosnachaidh' - 'Òran don Phrionnsa', 'A Song to the Prince' - is not often heard sung solo today, but it is one of the most popular songs in the Gaelic choral repertoire. Choirs are not a natural part of Gaelic music tradition but they have been around for about 130 years and they have become part of the language’s musical world.

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One of the most successful Gaelic choirs, Ceòlraidh Gàidhlig Ghlaschu - the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, or the 'GG' as they are fondly known - sing 'O Hi Ri Ri, tha E Tighinn'.

'Oh Hi Ri Ri, Tha E Tighinn' performed by Ceòlraidh Gàidhlig Ghlaschu (The Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association).

From 'Gaelic Galore', LCOM9037, Track 4, Lismor Recordings.

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Romanticising the lost cause

Far more Jacobite songs were written many years after the warfare of 1689 and the Risings of 1715, 1719 and 1745, when the political cause had died.

By 1780 to be pro-Jacobite was not revolutionary, but was a rather right-wing and romantic hankering after the old ways. Such songs include 'My Ain Countrie', 'The Skye Boat Song' and 'Will Ye No Come Back Again?'  Many of the newer songs were sentimental and backward-looking.

Prolific creators or rewriters of Jacobite songs based on old models included James Hogg, Lady Caroline Nairne and Robert Burns. Burns published 'It Was A' for Our Rightfu' King', 'The Highland Widow's Lament' and a song about love called 'Charlie He's My Darling'. Lady Nairne wrote lyrics for 'Wi a Hundred Pipers' and 'Will Ye No Come Back Again?' She also wrote a more warlike set of words for 'Charlie is My Darling'.

March tunes had lyrics attached, for example 'The Sherramuir March' and 'Wha Wouldna Fecht for Charlie'. James Hogg wrote Jacobite lyrics for both of these tunes and many others. Hogg published and perhaps wrote 'Both Sides of the Tweed', which Dick Gaughan has recently made very popular by writing a fine air for it and changing a few words.

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Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1720-1788, by Antonio David. Image courtesy of National Galleries of Scotland.