In the same key as the accompanying sheet music, Eb.
In the key of C.
John Graham of Claverhouse,
First Viscount of Dundee
Some Scottish Lords such as Claverhouse (Dundee) supported the Monarchy. His opponents in the de facto Scottish Parliament, “Convention”, supported, in effect, the right of Presbyterian chapels, (“Kirks”), to be independent of Royal, Anglican episcopal (“Bishop”) oversight. This was in the time of king Charles II, nominal Protestant, (who converted to the Catholic Church on his deathbed). This “Cavalier” (Royalist) position, (breaking rebel “crowns” to support the Crown), was prior to the final defeat of Catholic, Stuart efforts to recover the throne, nearly 60 years later, in the time of the Catholic Claimant, King James III of England and Ireland, and James VIII of Scotland. (See Skye Boat Song.)
| 1. Tae the Lords o’ convention ’twas Claverhouse spoke E’er the King’s Crown go down there are crowns to be broke So each cavilier who loves honor and me Let him follow the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee Chorus |
Chorus Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can Come saddle my horses and call out my men Unhook the West Port and let us gae free For it’s up with the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee |
| 2. Dundee he is mounted and rides up the street The bells tae ring backwards, the drums tae are beat But the provost douce man says, ‘Just let it be.’ When the toon is well rid o’ that devil Dundee Chorus |
4. Then awa tae the hill to the lee and the rocks Ere I own a usurper I’ll crouch with the fox So tremble false wigs in the midst of yer glee For you’ve no seen the last of my bonnets and me Chorus |
| 3. There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth Be there lords in the south, there are chiefs in the north There are brave downie wassles three thousand times three Cry hey for the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee Chorus |
alcohol to horses
would be lucky not to be arrested
for animal cruelty.
John Graham of Claverhouse, “Bonnie Dundee”,
didn’t “raise up his glasses against evil forces”,
he went out to fight them with sober men and horses.
This shortlink
https://1000-good-songs.org/p/1466