Songs & Poems

Loch Lomond Song (Listen to Loch Lomond )
There are many interpretations of this song, the most common is that two of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men were captured and left behind in Carlisle after the failed rising of 1745. One of the young soldiers was to be executed, the other released. The Spirit of the dead soldier travelling by the 'low road' would reach Scotland before his comrade, who would be struggling along the actual road over high, rugged country.

By yon bonnie banks
And by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright
On Loch Lomond
Oh we twa ha'e pass'd
sae mony blithesome days,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

Oh ye'll tak' the high road
and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in Scotland before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the Bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

I mind where we parted
In yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side
O' Ben Lomon'
Where in purple hue
The highland hills we view
And the morn shines out
Frae the gloamin'

Oh ye'll tak' the high road
and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in gloaming before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the Bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

The wee bird may sing
An' the wild flowers spring;
An' in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart
It sees nae second spring,
And the world does na ken
How we're greetin'

Oh ye'll tak' the high road
and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in greeting before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the Bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond Poem
The verdant islands in this inland sea of pure fresh water, draw the stranger's eye; Insh-Murrin's largest... from inclosures free, Whole flocks of deer in racing haste flee by... See Duncan Graeme the Forester, where he Walks with his wife, their dwelling we can spy: Well, truly they at Kirk and fair may tell, That none are furnish'd with a larger well.

Now various islands all at once sight, In strange irregularity are seen.... Insh-Torr's thick spreading trees exclude the light; Insch-Caillaich has burying ground, between the shore and yonder trees upon the right... Insch-Fad's a farm, and wears a lively green... Insch-Conachan for trusty yews renown'd, And twenty more are strangely scattered round.

From Loch Lomond by William Harriston, 1824.