C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Wha’ll Be King but Charlie?

By Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne (1766–1845)

THE NEWS frae Moidart cam yestreen,

Will soon gar mony ferlie;

For ships o’ war hae just come in,

And landit Royal Charlie.

Come through the heather, around him gather,

Ye’re a’ the welcomer early;

Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin:

For wha’ll be king but Charlie?

Come through the heather, around him gather,

Come Ronald, come Donald, come a’ thegither,

And crown your rightfu’, lawfu’ king!

For wha’ll be king but Charlie?

The Hieland clans, wi’ sword in hand,

Frae John o’ Groat’s to Airlie,

Hae to a man declared to stand

Or fa’ wi’ Royal Charlie.

Come through the heather, etc.

The Lowlands a’, baith great an’ sma,

Wi’ mony a lord and laird, hae

Declared for Scotia’s king an’ law,

An’ speir ye, Wha but Charlie?

Come through the heather, etc.

There’s ne’er a lass in a’ the lan’

But vows baith late an’ early,

She’ll ne’er to man gie heart nor han’

Wha wadna fecht for Charlie.

Come through the heather, etc.

Then here’s a health to Charlie’s cause,

And be’t complete an’ early;

His very name our heart’s blood warms:

To arms for Royal Charlie!

Come through the heather, around him gather,

Ye’re a’ the welcomer early;

Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin;

For wha’ll be king but Charlie?

Come through the heather, around him gather,

Come Ronald, come Donald, come a’ thegither,

And crown your rightfu’, lawfu’ king!

For wha’ll be king but Charlie?

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