trad
Ewan MacColl wrote in 1962: “Poetic licence has been strained to breaking point in this vigorous ballad. The battle fought upon the plains of Cromdale in Strathspey did, in fact, result in the army of 1,500 Highlanders being defeated by Sir Thomas Livingstone’s Hanoverians. Montrose, the hero of the song, was not present at the event. Some forty-five years before, however, he won a victory at the Battle of Auldearn against the Whig forces and it is probable that the two events have been dovetailed to provide us with a fine, optimistic, if somewhat chronologically inaccurate song.”
Andy M. Stewart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUzShbHwsRM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUzShbHwsRM
As I came in by Achin doon, Just a wee bit frae the toun, Tae the Highlands I was bound To view the haughs of Cromdale. I met a man in tartan trews, I spiered at him what was the news, Quo’ he, “The Highland ar my rues That e’er we came to Cromale. “We were in bed, sir, every man, When the English host upon us came; A bloody battle then began Upom the haughs of Cromdale. The English horse they were so rude, They bathed their hoofs in Highland blood. But our brave clans, they boldly stood Upon the haughs of Cromdale. “But, alas! We could no longer stay, For o’er the hills we came away, And sore we do lament the day That e’er we came to Cromdale.” Thus the great Montrose did say; “Can you direct the nearest way? For I will o’er the hills this day, And view the haughs of Cromdale.” “Alas, my Lord, you’re not so strong. You scarcely have two thousand men, And there’s twenty-thousand on the plain, Stand rank and file on Cromdale.” Thus the great Montrose did say, “I say, direct the nearest way, For I will o’er the hills this day, And see the haughs of Cromdale.” They were at dinner, every man. When the great Montrose upon them came; A second battle then began Upon the haughs of Cromdale. The Grant, Mackenzie and Mackay, Soon as Montrose they did espy, O then they fought most valiantly Upon the haughs of Cromdale.