Here’s a little song about Benefit sanctions in the Seventeenth century. Performed by The Corries, The Massacre of Glen Coe tells the story of the 1689 massacre of the McDonald Clan at Glencoe at the hand of John Campbell, the Duke of Argyll.
The Massacre of Glen Coe by The Corries
This song is about the massacre of the Scottish Clan McDonald, the One time Lords of the Isles.
Lyrics;
Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe
That covers the grave o’ Donald
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house o’ MacDonald
(chorus)
They came through the blizzard, we offered them heat
A roof o’er their heads, dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them, they ate o’ our meat
And slept in the house O’ MacDonald
(chorus)
They came from Fort William with murder mind
The Campbell had orders, King William had signed
Pit all tae the sword, these words underlined
And leave none alive called MacDonald
(chorus)
They came in the night when the men were asleep
That band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep.
Like murdering foxes, among helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house o’ MacDonald
(chorus)
Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe
Or fled in the night and were lost in the snow.
Some lived to accuse him, what struck the first blow
But gone was the house of MacDonald
Who were The Corries?
The Corries were a folk duo made up of singer-songwriters Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne. Originally formed as The Corrie Folk Trio with Bill Graham, the group eventually whittled down to just the pair of them by 1966. The duo released many successful studio albums and played many live shows in the 24 years they were together. The groups demise sadly came in 1990 with the passing of Roy Williamson who lost his battle with Cancer.
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