Appendix 1: Eight Jacobite Songs Related to Auld Lang Syne
© M. J. Grant, CC BY-NC 4.0 https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0231.13
1. “The true Scots Mens Lament for the Loss of the Rights of their Ancient Kingdom”, published by John Read of Pearson’s Close Edinburgh, 1718.1
Shall Monarchy be quite forgot,
and of it no more heard?
Antiquity be razed out,
and Slav’ry put in Stead?
Is Scots Mens Blood now grown so cold
the Valour of their Mind,
That they can never once reflect
on old long sine, &c?
What shall become now of our Crown
we have so long possest?
Is it no more fashonable,
that we Should have it dress’d?
Shall we it for Tobacco sell,
and never once repine?
Ah! then it’s late for to reflect
on old long sine, &c.
How oft have our Fore-fathers spent
their Blood in its Defence;
Shall we than have it stol’n away
by English Influence?
We’ll curie the Acters of the Deed,
when under Yoke we pine:
Why will ye not again reflect
on old long sine?
Old Albion, what will become of thee
when England sits thy Judge?
May thou not only then expect,
Oppression but Refuge?
It’s their Design to ruine thee,
as clearly may be seen:
Why wilt thou not again reflect
on old long sine &c.
How shall our crazy Shoulders bear,
the Burden of their Tax;
Tho’ they be rich, and we but poor
they will not us relax;
Unless some skilful one ov’rturn
the Ground of their Design;
But then it’s late for to reflect
on old long sine, &c.
The Name of Britain shortly will
thy Body hence possess.
England thy Head will flourish great
thy Body will decrease,
The Union will thy Ruine be,
thou’ll know in future Time;
Yet still you seem for to forget
good old long sine &c.
Was not our Nation sometime brave,
invincible and stout;
Conquering Cesar that great King,
could not put it to Rout;
Nor not to much as Tribute get,
for all his great Design:
These Men I think thought to maintain
good old long sine, &c.
Did not Romish Ambassadors,
before our King kneel down?
I mean Carbredus Claudius great,
most valiant of Renown;
And the Proposals of a Peace,
unto him did resign;
These Actions may make us reflect
on old long sine, &c.
The Royal Bruce, if now alive,
he surely would regrate,
And blame our Grandees irefully
of Scotland’s wretched State;
And tell them he priz’d Monarchy,
while he was in his Prime,
And bid them look right speedily
to old long sine, &c.
May not Experience teach thee well
in Edward Lang-shank’s Reign,
How they pretended Good to thee,
yet since mean’d no such Thing;
But meerly stole from us the Chair,
we did so much esteem:
It’s strange to me ye should forget
good old long sine, &c.
Yet it was not by their own Strength,
that they gain’d such a Prise;
But by our base Malecontents
who did them well advise;
I mean, the Cuming, Kilpatrick,
Vallange of Treach’rous Mind,
Such Men I fear have now the Cause,
that we must now so pine.
Do not you mind the Barns of Air,
where eighteen Score were kill’d,
Under the Colour of a Truce,
our Worthies Blood was spill’d?
And what by Force they could not win
by Fraud they did obtain:
Me wonders you should so forget,
good old long sine, &c.
Remember William Wallace Wight,
and his Accomplicies,
Scotland they undertook to free,
when it was in Distress.
Likewise Sir James the Black Douglas
under the Bruce’s Reign;
These Men spar’d not their Blood to spill
for old long sine, &c.
Why did you thy Union break
thou had of late with France;
Where Honors were conferr’d on thee?
but now, not so is thy Chance:
Thou must subject thy Neck unto
a false proud Nation;
And more and more strive to forget
good old long sine, &c.
Was it their seeming Riches that
induced thee to sell
Thy Honors, which as never yet
no Monarch e’re could quel?
Nor our Integrities once break,
in all the bygone Time?
Yet now ye seem for to forget
good old long sine, &c.
The elder Brother let him read,
the Neighbour Margin Line;
The second than let him look back
to ruin’d Darien:
I’m hopeful then you will remorse,
on former Ill that’s done;
And strive in Time for for to maintain
good old long sine, &c
Now mark and see what is the Cause
of this so great a Fall:
Comtempt of Faith, Falshood, Deceit,
and Villany withal;
But rouse your selves like Scotish Lads,
and quit you selves as Men:
And more and more strive to mantain
good old long sine, &c.
2. “A SONG To the tune of AULD LANG SYNE”2
O CALEDON, O CALEDON,
How wretched is thy fate!
I, thy St. ANDREW, do lament
Thy poor abandon’d State.
O CALEDON, O CALEDON,
How griev’d am I to think,
That my sad story written is
With Blood instead of Ink.
IN days of Yore you was renown’d
Conspicuous was your FAME,
All Nations did your Valour praise,
And Loyalty proclaim:
You did your ancient Rights maintain,
And Liberties defend,
And scorn’d to have it thought that you
On England did depend.
UNTO your Kings you did adhere,
Stood by your Royal Race;
With them you Honour great did gain,
And Paths of Glory trace:
With Royal STEWART at your Head,
All Enemies oppose;
And, like our brave courageous Clans
In Pieces cut your Foes.
YOUR Kings did Justice then dispense,
And led you on to Fight;
And your heroick Valour was,
Like their Example, bright.
An happy People then you were,
In Plenty did [abound],
And your untainted Loyalty
With Blessings great was crown’d.
BUT, oh! alas! the Case is chang’d,
You’re wretched and forlorn;
The Hardhips now impos’d on you,
By Slaves are only born:
Your ancient Rights, which you so long
Did with your Blood maintain,
Are meanly sold and given up,
And you dare scarce complain.
FOR Justice now hath fled away,
With Taxes you’re opprest,
And every little pratling Wretch
May freely you molest:
The choicest of your noble Blood
Are banish’d far away,
And such as do remain at home
Must truckle and obey.
YOUR martial Spirit’s quite decayed,
You’re poor contented Slaves;
You’re kick’d and cuff’d, oppress’d, harrass’d,
By Scoundrels, Fools and Knaves.
You did against your King rebel,
Abjur’d the Royal Race;
For which just Heaven did punish you
With Woes, Contempt, Disgrace.
THIS Prince alone the Crown should wear,
And Royal Sceptre sway;
To him alone you should submit,
And your allegiance pay.
A Prince indu’d with Virtues rare,
So Warlike, Just and Great,
That, were it not to punish you,
He’d have a better Fate.
O CALEDON, O CALEDON,
Look back from whence you fell,
And from your Suff’rings learn your Guild,
And never more rebel:
Regain your ancient Liberties,
Redeem your Rights and Laws,
Restore your injur’d lawful King,
Or perish in the Cause.
YOUR Reputation thus you may,
Thus only can retrieve;
And, till you Justice do to him,
You need not think to thrive.
O may th’Almighty King of Kings
His sov’reign Pow’r extend,
And his Anointed’s precious Life
From Perils all defend.
O may just Heav’n assert his Right,
Him to his own restore,
And may the Scottish Nation shine
Illustrious as before.
O CALEDON, O CALEDON,
How joyful would I be!
To see the King upon the Throne,
And you from Chains set free.
F I N I S
3. “A ballad for those whose honour is sound, Who cannot be named, and must not be found. Written by a Sculpter in the Year 1746”3
Should old gay mirth and cheerfulness
Be dash’d for evermore,
Since late success in wickedness
Made Whigs insult and roar?
O no: their execrable pranks
Oblige us to divine,
We’ll soon have grounds of joy and thanks,
As we had lang syne.
Though our dear native prince be toss’d
From this oppressive land,
And foreign tyrants rule the roast [sic],
With high and barbarous hand:
Yet he who did proud Pharaoh crush,
To save old Jacob’s line,
Our Charles will visit in the bush,
Lik Moses lang syne.
Though God spares long the raging set
Which on rebellion doat,
Yet his perfections ne’er will let
His justice be forgot.
If we, with patient faith, our cause
To’s providence resign,
He’ll sure restore our king and laws,
As he did lang syne.
Our valiant prince will shortly land,
With twenty thousand stout,
And these, join’d by each loyal clan,
Shall kick the German out.
Then upright men, whom rogues attaint,
Shall bruik their own again,
And we’ll have a free parliament,
As we had lang syne.
Rejoice then ye, with all your might,
Who will for justice stand,
And would give Caesar his true right,
As Jesus did command;
While terror must all those annoy
Who horridly combine
The vineyard’s true heir to destroy,
Like Judas lang syne.
A health to those fam’d Gladsmuir gain’d,
And circled Derby’s cross:
Who won Falkirk, and boldly strain’d
To win Culloden moss.
Health to all those who’ll do’t again,
And no just cause decline.
May Charles soon vanquish, and James reign,
As they did lang syne.
4. Jacobite “Auld Lang Syne” attributed to Lochiel’s Regiment (Le Régiment d’Albanie), 17474
Though now we take King Lewie’s fee
And drink King Lewie’s wine,
We”ll bring the King frae ower the sea,
As in auld lang syne.
For, he that did proud Pharaoh crush,
And save auld Jacob’s line,
Will speak to Charlie in the Bush,
Like Moses, lang syne.
For oft we’ve garred the red coats run,
Frae Garry to the Thine,
Fra Bauge brig to Falkirk moor,
No that lang syne.
The Duke may with the Devil drink,
And we’ the deil may dine,
But Charlie’s dine in Holyrood,
As in auld lang syne.
For he that did proud Pharaoh crush,
To save auld Jacob’s line,
Shall speak to Charlie in the Bush,
Like Moses, lang syne.
5. “Ballad. Tune Auld Lang Syne”5
Should auld honour be forgot
And mirth thought on no more
Since late success in Wickedness
Makes Whigs insult and roar
Nor will we though the Jails are crammed
With loyal men repine [?]
But soon we’ll hope to be as blythe
As we were lang syne.
Though our dear native Prince is chaced
From this oppressed land
And foreigners do rule the roost
With a Barbarian’s hand
Though might oer Right doth tyrannize
And perjured rogues Combine
Never to let us be as free
As we were lang syne.
Observe though by lord a while thus graced [?]
Those that on mischief dote
Yet his perfections near well let
A just cause be forgot
If we with patience do submit
Erelong he will incline
To make our just cause trumpet yet
Like auld lang syne.
Brave royal Charles will soon return
With twenty thousand stout
And those with his highlanders
Will kick the German out
Then Truth and Justice now knock’d down
Shall rear their head and then
We shall have a Scots Parliament
As we had lang syne.
When once the grant Proprietor
Enjoys his right and place
His subjects that have valid rights
And can just titles trace
Each man shall sit in peace below
His fig-tree and his vine
And Tories shall be favourites
For auld lang syne.
Clean up your hearts ye that do sculk [?]
For king and country’s cause
The righteous Lord regards you with
Compassion and applause
Your suff’rings [pall r??d] with bliss
Both human & divine
And punish some for crimes they’ve done
Even not long syne.
Rejoice I say all ye that flee
Incog. through hill and dale
And drink a bumper to the King
And to the Prince each meal
Though water’s oft your liquor now
We’ll shortly drink good wine
Well-pleased we’ll think then on the straits [?]
That we had lang syne.
A health to those that Gladsmuir gain’d
And [d??d??dared??] at Darby Cross
A Health to those that won Falkirk
And faced Culloden moss
A Health to all that steadfast stand
And neer from truth decline
May Heaven smile on James’s son
As on Charles lang syne.
6. “Song. To the same Tune” [i.e., Auld Lang Syne]6
Should Scotland’s Glory be forgot
Of it nae mair be heard
Our independence rooted out
And slavery put instead
Are Scotsmen’s spirits now so broke
Their bold and gorgeous mind
That they should not at all reflect
On auld lang syne.
In days of old we were renownd [sic]
Conspicous was our fame
All nations did our valour prize
And loyalty proclaim
We did our native rights maintain
And liberties defend
Nor would we have it said that we
On England should depend.
Our ancient nation then was brave
Invincible and stout
Her sons even Rome’s great Emperor
Could never put to rout.
Nor not so much as tribute get
Though Caesar was his name
Should not the thoughts of acts like these
Rekindle such a flame.
Nor was it only then we made
The World’s proud depart [??] yield
Corbredus Galdus spite of Rome
Did always keep the field
He with his men did so behave
Romans themselves did deign
Humbly to Scots to offer peace
But this was lang syne.
The great Sir William Wallace with
His comrades stout and bold
Scotland freed when twas enslaved
By English Edwards Gold
Sir James the Black Douglas likewise
Under the Bruce’s reign
When danger calld [sic] always stood firm
For auld lang syne.
Sir John the Graham’s unspotted fame
Shall never be forgot
He was an honour to his name
A true and valiant Scot.
The great Montrose The brave Dundee
Were heroes in their time
And never spard [sic] their blood to spill
For auld lang syne.
Alas our case is now much changd
We’re wretched and forlorn
The hardships vile impos’d on us
By slaves are only born
O Caledon O Caledon
It grieves my soul to think
That thy sad story written is
With blood instead of ink.
O Scotland What becomes of thee
When England sits thy judge
Mayst thou not then expect to be
Oppress’d without refuge
What would our ancient nobles say
Could they behold the scene
Will ye not for shame reflect
On auld lang syne.
How oft have our forefathers fought
In Liberty’s defence
Shall we then have it stoln [sic] away
By German influence
Well curse the actors of the deed
When under yoke we pine
But were’t not best once more to risque [?]
For auld lang syne.
Your great ancestors valiant deeds
Sit full before your eyes
And bain [??] to emulate each act
In native glory rise
Be but yourselves nor Germans dread
Though hell with them combine
In spite of both you shall enjoy
Your auld lang syne.
7. “Shall Monarchy Be Quite Forgot”7
Shall monarchy be quite forgot
As it has never been?
Antiquity be rooted out,
As an inglorious thing?
Are Scotsmen’s hearts now grown so cold,
the veil so o’er their mind,
That they can never once reflect
On auld lang-syne?
In days of yore ye were renown’d,
Conspicuous was your fame;
All nations they did honour you,
Your loyalty proclaim.
Ye did your ancient rights maintain,
And liberty defend,
And scorn’d to have it said, that you
On England would depend.
But now, alas! your case is chang’d,
You’re wretched and forlorn;
The hardships now impos’d on you,
By slaves are only borne.
Oh, Caledon! oh, Caledon!
It grieves me sair, to think
That thy sad story written is
With blood, instead of ink.
Scotland, what will become of thee,
When England sits thy judge?
Thy banish’d Prince, so long from home,--
O! where is thy refuge?
To ruin thee, ’tis plainly seen,
Must be their black design;
And will you not, alas, reflect
On auld lang-syne?
How oft have our forefathers bled
In Liberty’s defence!
And shall we have it stol’n away
By German Influence?
The price of so much Scotish blood
Shall we consent to tine?
And will we not, alas! reflect
On auld lang-syne?
When great Sir William Wallace liv’d,
And his accomplices,
Scotland he undertook to free,
When she was in distress.
Like wise Sir James, the black Douglas,
Who liv’d in Bruce’s reign;
These men spar’d not their blood to spill,
For auld lang-syne.
Sir John the Graeme, of lasting fame,
Shall never be forgot;
He was an honour to his name,
A brave and valiant Scot.
The great Montrose, the brave Dundee,
Were heroes in their time;
They spar’d not ev’n their mother’s sons
For auld lang-syne.
Then, let the ever glorious name
Of Wallace lead you on;
Wallace, to save his country, oft
Engag’d near ten to one:
Then, rouse, my valiant Scottish lads,
Behave yourself like men,
And Scotland yet again shall see
Her auld lang-syne.
8. Jacobite “Auld Lang Syne”, by Andrew Lang (1844–1912)8
Shall ancient freedom be forgot
And the auld Stuart line?
Shall ancient freedom be forgot
And Auld Lang Syne?
Though now we take King Louis’ fee
And drink King Louis’ wine,
We’ll bring the King frae o’er the sea
For Auld Lang Syne.
We twa hae waded deep in blood,
And broke the red-coat line,
And forded Eden white in flood
For Auld Lang Syne.
And we hae fought the English coofs
Frae Garry to the Rhine,
Frae Gledsmuir to the field o’ Val
In Auld Lang Syne.
The Butcher wi’ the deil shall drink
And wi’ the deevil dine,
But Charles shall dine in Holyrood
For Auld Lang Syne,
For He wha did proud Pharoah crush
And save auld Jacob’s line,
Shall speak wi’ Charlie in the Bush
Like Moses, lang syne.
1 Source: NLS, shelfmark Ry.III.a.10(117), also available at https://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/view/?id=15827&transcript=1
2 Source: NLS Call no. BCL.AA509, collection of “Rebellious pamphlets” relating to Jacobite Uprising of 1745–1746. A slightly different printing can be found at NLS Ry.III.a.10(071).
3 Acc. to James Dick, this is from The True Loyalist, 1779; here quoted from James Hogg: Jacobite Relics, vol. II, Song LXXXVI. Murray Pittock states that there are very similar songs found in other sources, including NLS MS 2910 26v (Should auld honour be forgot / And mirth thought on no more): see the editorial notes to Jacobite Relics, 519. In Hogg’s Jacobite Relics, the tune given is M2.
4 Source: http://www.lochiel.net/archives/arch124.html, apparently found in the collection of Andrew Lang.
5 Source: NLS MS 2910, “Poems composed since the attempt. 1745.”, 32–33. Handwritten MS from various sources.
6 Source: NLS MS 2910, “Poems composed since the attempt. 1745.”, 33–34. Handwritten MS from various sources.
7 Source: R. A. Smith, The Scotish Minstrel, vol. III [1821].
8 Lang 1923, 64–65.