An old Gaelic Air.
BRAVE Lewie Roy was the flower of our Highlandmen,
Tall as the oak on the lofty Benvoirlich, [1]
Fleet as the light-bounding tenants of Fillan-glen,
Dearer than life to his lovely neen voiuch.
[2]
Lone was his biding, the cave of his hiding
When forc'd to retire with our gallant Prince Charlie, [3]
Tho manly and fearless, his bold heart was cheerless
Away from the lady he aye lov'd so dearly.
This song, along with several other fragments, were contributed by R. A. Smith to, and printed in, the Harp of Renfrewshire of 1819, as Tannahill's; and it was afterwards printed in Smith's own Scotish Minstrel, in 1823, VoL III., page 102, to the Air of “Brave Lewie Roy,”—Smith there stating that the author was unknown.—Ed.
[1] Benvoirlich and Fillan Glen.—The readers are referred to the Note on the “Braes of Balquhither,” No. 91. The high mountain of Benvoirlich is 3300 feet above the level of the sea, and is situated in the Parish of Comrie, in the neighbourhood of the Braes of Balquhither. Fillan Glen,—named after one of the saints of the Culdees, Saint Fillan,—is also situated in the Parish of Comrie.
[2] Neen voiuch,—a beautiful maiden.
[3] Charles James Edward Stewart, born 20th December, 1720, called the Prince of Wales, &c., was the eldest son of James Francis Edward, Chevalier de Saint George, Pretender of 1715, calling himself King James VIII. The Prince landed in Scotland on 25th July, 1745 ; and on lst August, 1745, a proclamation offering a reward of £30,000 was issued for his apprehension, notwithstanding he set up the Standard of Rebellion on 16th August, with a following. After several skirmishes between the Rebels and the Royalists, the great and memorable Battle of Culloden was fought on Wednesday, 16th April, 1746, when the Royalists were victorious, and the Rebels dispersed. The Prince finally retired from Scotland on 20th September, 1746; and, on the death of his father on 30th December, 1765, he styled himself King Charles III.,—his chequered life was ended at Rome on 31st January, 1788. —Ed.
Addition to this fragment by Alexander Rodger :—
But woe on the bloodthirsty mandates of Cumberland, [4]
Woe on the bloodthirsty gang that fulfilled them ;
Poor Caledonia! bleeding and plunder'd land,
Where shall thy children now shelter and shield thee ?
Keen prowl the cravens, like merciless ravens,
Their prey the devoted adherents of Charlie ;
Brave Lewie Roy is tak'n, cowardly hack'd and slain,
Ah! his neen voiuch will mourn for him dearly.
[4] Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, born 15th April, 1721, third son of King George II., commanded the Royalist Army at the Battle of Culloden. He died 31st October, 1738; and his last words to the surgeon were—“It is too late! It is all over”—Ed.
[Semple 92]