I just learnt about the massacre of Glencoe in 1692 via a new friend in Edinburgh today.
This song was written about it by Jim Mclean in 1963 – i managed to search out his email address and dropped him a line – I hope it still works.
Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave o’ Donald
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house o’ MacDonald
They came in the night when the men were asleep
That band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep.
Like murdering foxes, among helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house o’ MacDonald
They came through the blizzard, we offered them heat
A roof ower their heads, dry shoes for their feet.
We wined them and dined them, they ate of our meat
And slept m the house O’ MacDonald
They came from Fort William with murder mind
The Campbell’s had orders, King William had signed
Put all to the sword, these words underlined
And leave none alive called MacDonald
Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe
Some fled in the night, and were lost in the snow.
Some lived to accuse hlm, that struck the first blow
But gone was the house of MacDonald