| |
| TO Scotland’s ancient realm | |
| Proud Edward’s armies came, | |
| To sap our freedom, and o’erwhelm | |
| Our martial force in shame. | |
| “It shall not be!” brave Wallace cried: | 5 |
| “It shall not be!” his chiefs replied; | |
| “By the name our fathers gave her, | |
| Our steel shall drink the crimson stream, | |
| We ’ll all her dearest rights redeem,— | |
| Our own broadswords shall save her!” | 10 |
| |
| With hopes of triumph flushed, | |
| The squadrons hurried o’er | |
| Thy bridge, Kildean, and heaving rushed | |
| Like wild waves to the shore. | |
| “They come—they come!” was the gallant cry: | 15 |
| “They come—they come!” was the loud reply; | |
| “O strength, thou gracious Giver! | |
| By Love and Freedom’s stainless faith, | |
| We ’ll dare the darkest night of death,— | |
| We ’ll drive them back forever!” | 20 |
| |
| All o’er the waving broom, | |
| In chivalry and grace, | |
| Shone England’s radiant spear and plume, | |
| By Stirling’s rocky base: | |
| And, stretching far beneath the view, | 25 |
| Proud Cressingham! thy banners flew, | |
| When, like a torrent rushing, | |
| O God! from right and left the flame | |
| Of Scottish swords like lightning came, | |
| Great Edward’s legions crushing! | 30 |
| |
| High praise, ye gallant band, | |
| Who, in the face of day, | |
| With a daring heart and a fearless hand, | |
| Have cast your chains away! | |
| The foemen fell on every side,— | 35 |
| In crimson hues the Forth was dyed,— | |
| Bedewed with blood the heather; | |
| While cries triumphal shook the air,— | |
| “Thus shall they do, thus shall they dare, | |
| Wherever Scotsmen gather!” | 40 |
| |
| Though years like shadows fleet | |
| O’er the dial-stone of Time, | |
| Thy pulse, O Freedom! still shall beat | |
| With the throb of manhood’s prime! | |
| Still shall the valor, love, and truth, | 45 |
| That shone on Scotland’s early youth, | |
| From Scotland ne’er dissever; | |
| The Shamrock, Rose, and Thistle stern | |
| Shall wave around her Wallace cairn, | |
| And bless the brave forever! | 50 |
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