Verse > Anthologies > James and Mary Ford, eds. > Every Day in the Year
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James and Mary Ford, eds.  Every Day in the Year.  1902.
 
June 24
Bannockburn
By Robert Burns (1759–1796)
 
          Robert Bruce’s Address to his Army, June 24, 1314.
  In this battle, fought near Stirling, on June 24, the Scots under Robert Bruce totally defeated three times their number of English under Edward III.

SCOTS, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled—
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led—
Welcome to your gory bed,
  Or to victorie!
 
Now’s the day, and now’s the hour;        5
See the front o’ battle lower;
See approach proud Edward’s power—
  Chains and slaverie!
 
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward’s grave?        10
Wha sae base as be a slave?
  Let him turn and flee!
 
Wha for Scotland’s king and law
Freedom’s sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or free-man fa’—        15
  Let him follow me!
 
By oppression’s woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
  But they shall be free!        20
 
Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in very foe!
Liberty’s in every blow!
  Let us do, or die!
 
 
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