Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV INVERGORDON AND THE NORTH SEA The corn was turnin', hairst was near, Half-mast the castle banner droops. But lang afore the scythes could start The Laird's lament was played yestreen, A sough o' war gaed through the land An' mony a widowed cottar wife An' stirred it to its benmosl heart. Is greelin' at her shank aleen. Nae ours the blame, but when it came In Freedom's cause, for ane that fa's, We couldna pass the challenge by. We'll glean the glens an' send them free For credit o' our honest name To clip the retvin' eagle's claws, There could but be the ae reply. An' drook his feathers V the sea. An' buirdly men, fra strath an' glen, For gallant loons, in brochs an' toons, An' shepherds fra the bucht an' Are leaoin' shop an' yard an' hill, mill. Will show them a', whale'er befa', A' keen to show bailh friend an' foe, Auld Scotland counts for some- Auld Scotland counts for something still. thing still. The grim, grey fathers bent wi' years Come stridin' through the muirland mist, Wi' beardless lads scarce by wi' school, Bui eager as the laoe to 'list. We've fleshed o' yore the braid claymore On mony a bloody field afar, But ne'er did skirlin' pipes afore Cry on sae urgently to war. Gin danger's there, we'll thole our share, Gie's but the weapons--we've the will, Ayont the main, to prove again Auld Scotland counts for something still. Charles Murray, in The Times. IREAD these verses, among the best which were directly inspired by the war, in a newspaper on my way north. They fitted with the sombre mood of those days; and I place them here because they remain for ever associated in my mind with this strange return to Scotland and her intimate association with the essence of all that England had ever meant at sea. There was...
