Will Ye No' Come Back Again?

by Lady Caroline Nairne

This song and tune was written by Lady Caroline Nairne (nee Oliphant)(1766-1845) to commemorate the raising of Prince Charles' banner at Glenfinnan on 19 August 1745. She came from a loyal Jacobite family and the Prince had actually visited her home in Perthshire. Of course it was long after her death that the song became famous.


Bonnie Chairlie's noo awa',
Safely ower the friendly main;
Mony a heart will break in twa',
Should he ne'er come back again.

Chorus:
Will ye no' come back again?
Will ye no' come back again?
Better lo'ed ye canna be,
Will ye no come back again?

Ye trusted in your Hielan' men,
They trusted you dear Chairlie.
They kent your hidin' in the glen,
Death or exile bravin'.
Chorus

We watched thee in the gloamin' hour,
We watched thee in the mornin' grey.
Tho' thirty thousand pounds they gie,
O there is nane that wad betray.
Chorus

Sweet the laverock's note and lang,
Liltin' wildly up the glen.
But aye tae me he sings ae sang,
Will ye no' come back again?
Chorus