This is a “straight” arrangement of a traditional folksong, ie, no electronica or sounds effects etc.

Origin: A traditional Scottish air, with words likely penned by Sir Walter Scott for his novel The Monastery (1820)

Theme: A patriotic song for Jacobite troops (Scottish soldiers – Covenanters) returning from war, marching over the border back to Scotland.

The most famous of the Jacobite rebellions was the 1745 Rising led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), which reached England but ended in defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, effectively ending the Jacobite cause. 

“Blue Bonnets”: Refers to the distinctive blue-topped bonnets worn by Scottish soldiers, often associated with Highland regiments.

Cover picture credit to Chris Collingwood, also featured by Cranston Fine Arts.

See also Traditional Tune Archive.

Lyrics

March! March! Ettrick and Tevot-dale,
Why my lads dinnaye march forward in order
March! March! Eskdale and Liddesdale!
All the blue bonnets are over the border

Many a banner spread,
Flutters above your head,
Many a crest that is famous in story,
Mount and make ready then,
Sons of the mountain glen,
Fight for your King and the old Scottish border.
March! March! Ettrick and Tevot-dale,
Why my lads dinnaye march forward in order
March! March! Eskdale and Liddesdale!
All the blue bonnets are over the border

Come from the hills where your hirsels are grazing,
Come from the glens of the buck and the roe;
Come to the grag where the beacon is blazing
Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow

Trumpets are sounding,
War steeds are bounding.
Stand to your arms and march on good order
England shall many a day,
Tell of the bloody fray,
When the blue bonnets came over the border
March! March! Ettrick and Tevot-dale,
Why my lads dinnaye march forward in order
March! March! Eskdale and Liddesdale!
All the blue bonnets are over the border