The Braes o' Killiecrankie
Braes o' Killiecrankie is the name of four distinct folk songs, all originally from Scotland.
The version that begins with the line "Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?" (Roud 8187) is the one discussed here. The versions that begin with the line "Clavers and his highland men" are either the Scots version (Roud 8188) or the USA version (Roud 2572). Finally there is another Scots version, that begins with the line "On a thistle I sat doon" (Roud 3363).
The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought in 1689, as part of the Jacobite rebellion. James Hogg made a collection of songs relating to the battles and campaigns. It was published as Jacobite Reliques in 1819. He lists this song simply as "Killiecrankie" (number 19 on page 32).
The first three verses and the chorus were written by Robert Burns and set to an older melody. Hogg may have had a hand in writing the additional verses.
Tune
Lyrics
- James Hogg version
- Stanza 1
- Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?
- Whare hae ye been sae brankie, O?
- Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?
- Came ye by Killicrankie, O?
- Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?
- Chorus
- An ye had been whare I hae been,
- Ye wadna been sae cantie, O;
- An ye had seen what I hae seen,
- I' the braes o' Killicrankie, O.
- An ye had been whare I hae been,
- Stanza 2
- I faught at land, I faught at sea,
- At hame I faught my auntie, O;
- But I met the devil and Dundee
- On the braes o' Killicrankie, O.
- I faught at land, I faught at sea,
- (Chorus)
- Stanza 3
- (Chorus)
- Stanza 4
- O fie, Mackay, what gart ye lie
- I' the bush ayont the brankie, O?
- Ye'd better kiss'd King Willie's loof,
- Than come to Killicrankie, O.
- It's nae shame, it's nae shame,
- It's nae shame to shank ye, O;
- There's sour slaes on Athol braes,
- And deils at Killicrankie, O.
- It's nae shame, it's nae shame,
- Than come to Killicrankie, O.
- O fie, Mackay, what gart ye lie
Notable Recordings
- Scotland's Big Country recorded a version with rousing guitar.
- A 1966 recording by The Corries was a pioneering use of the music video.
- Recorded by Jean Redpath on The Songs of Robert Burns, Volumes 5 & 6
- Recorded by Jim Malcolm (formerly of the Old Blind Dogs) on Acquaintance