Jacobite 'Auld Lang Syne'

Jacobite 'Auld Lang Syne'

Original Text
The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang, ed. Mrs. Lang, 4 vols. (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1923): 64-65. British Library 011645.ee.47
2    And the auld Stuart line?
3Shall ancient freedom be forgot
4    And Auld Lang Syne?
6    And drink King Louis' wine,
7We'll bring the King frae o'er the sea
8    For Auld Lang Syne.
9We twa hae waded deep in blood,
12    For Auld Lang Syne.
16    In Auld Lang Syne.
17The Butcher wi' the deil shall drink
18    And wi' the deevil dine,
20    For Auld Lang Syne.
21For He wha did proud Pharaoh crush
22    And save auld Jacob's line,
24    Like Moses, lang syne.

Notes

1] Auld Lang Syne ("old time long ago"): echoing Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne":
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

The Jacobite heirs of James II, deposed from the English monarchy in 1689, included the Old Pretender, his son "James III" and grandson Charles Edward, "bonnie Prince Charlie." Rebels attempting to restore the pretenders fought against the British successfully until the disastrous battle of Culloden. Back to Line

5] Louis XIV of France. Back to Line
10] the red-coat line: the British army. Back to Line
11] Eden: a river in Scotland. Back to Line
13] coofs: fellows. Back to Line
14] Garry: perhaps Glengarry Castle, where Prince Charles stayed after Culloden.
the Rhine: river in Germany. Back to Line
15] Gledsmuir: not located.
the field o' Val: evidently Valla Field in Shetland. Back to Line
19] Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh. Back to Line
23] in the Bush: an allusion to an angel's appearance to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3.2). Back to Line
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2001
Rhyme