Waes Me for Prince Charlie by Ewan MacColl Lyrics

[Verse 1]
A wee bird cam' tae oor ha' door, he warbled sweet and early
And aye the o'ercam' o' his sang was, Wae's me for Prince Chairlie
And when I heard the wee bird sing the tears cam' droppin' rarely
I took my bonnet aff my heid, oh wae's me for Prince Chairlie

[Verse 2]
Said I, My bird, my bonnie bonnie bird, is that some tale you've borrowed
Or is't some words you learnt by rote, some lilt o' dule and sorrow
Oh no no no, the wee bird sang, I've flown since morning early
Through sic a day o' wind and rain, oh wae's me for Prince Chairlie

[Verse 3]
On hills that are by right his ain he roams, a lonely stranger
On ilka side he's pressed by want, on ilka hand by danger
Yestreen I met him in the glen, my heart near bursted fairly
For sadly changed indeed was he, oh wae's me for Prince Chairlie

[Verse 4]
Dark night came on, the tempest howled oot o' the hills and valleys
And where was't that your prince lay doon whose hame should be in a palace
He's ro'ed him in a Heilan' plaid that covered him but sparely
And slept beneath a bush of broom, oh war's me for Prince Chairlie