Glencoe

From the album Like a Bird on the Wing

This song describes the betrayal of the time honored tradition of highland hospitality.

This incident occurred on Feb 13th, 1692: For two weeks, Captain Robert Campbell and his men stayed with the MacDonalds in Glencoe, where they enjoyed the hospitality of their hosts.

On Feb 12 Captain Campbell received from Major Duncanson, his superior, a communication stating 'You are hereby ordered to fall upon the McDonalds of Glencoe and put all to the sword under seventy...'

Captain Campbell was related through marriage to the Clan Chieftain, Ian MacDonald.

I believe that this song was written by Jim McLean. I learned it from the singing of Madge in Newton Abbot.

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Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeped Glencoe
covered the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house of MacDonald

They came in a blizzard, we offered them heat
A roof o'er their heads and dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them, they ate of our meat
And they slept in the house of MacDonald

They came from Fort William with murder in mind
The Campbell had orders King William had signed
"Put all to the sword"- these words underlined -
"Butr lay down the house of MacDonald"

They came in the night when the men were asleep
That bunch of Argyles, through snow soft and deep
Like maraunding foxes amongst helpless sheep
And they murdered the house of MacDonald

Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe
Some fled in the night : they were lost in the snow.
Some lived to accuse him who struck the first blow
But gone is the house of MacDonald