Wha'll Be King But Charlie / News From Moidart Lyrics and chords
As used by the Corries.Note: the timing changes within the song which is marked by annotations in round brackets. Traditional 4/4. The sheet music is included with the mandolin tab and tin whistle notes..
News From Moidart is a traditional Scottish song that has been passed down through generations and has become a timeless piece of cultural heritage. The song tells a story of a young man who leaves his home in Moidart in search of adventure, but eventually returns to find his beloved has moved on without him. Through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, News From Moidart captures the essence of Scottish folklore and conveys a universal theme of lost love and longing.
The origins of News From Moidart can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic oral tradition of storytelling and song. It is believed that the song was created in the 18th century, during a time of great upheaval and migration in Scotland. The Scottish Highlands were undergoing significant changes as a result of the Jacobite uprisings and the subsequent Highland Clearances, which forced many Highlanders to leave their homes and seek a new life elsewhere. News From Moidart reflects this tumultuous period in Scottish history, as it tells the story of a young man leaving his home and the bittersweet consequences of his journey.
The song is set in the rugged and remote region of Moidart, situated on the west coast of Scotland. Moidart is a place of great natural beauty, with its rolling hills, verdant forests, and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a place of great historical significance, as it was the location of several significant battles during the Jacobite uprisings. The song's vivid description of the landscape and its surroundings creates a strong sense of place and transports the listener to the rugged and windswept hills of Moidart.
The protagonist of the song is a young man who decides to leave Moidart in search of adventure. He sets off on a ship, leaving behind his beloved and promising to return to her one day. As he sails away, he looks back at the hills of Moidart and reflects on his decision to leave. The song's lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and nostalgia for the place he is leaving behind. The young man's journey takes him to faraway lands, but he never forgets his home in Moidart and the love he left behind.
As the years go by, the young man's thoughts are consumed by memories of Moidart and his beloved. He longs to return and fulfill his promise, but fate has other plans. When he finally returns to Moidart, he is heartbroken to find that his beloved has moved on and married someone else. The song's lyrics convey a sense of regret and sadness as the young man realizes that he can never recapture what he has lost. He is left with nothing but the news from Moidart, a reminder of his past and the love he left behind.
The themes of love, loss, and longing depicted in News From Moidart are universal and timeless. The song's story of a young man leaving his home in search of adventure and ultimately returning to find that his loved one has moved on without him resonates with people from all walks of life. It speaks to the human experience of leaving behind a familiar place and the struggle to find a sense of belonging elsewhere.
Furthermore, the song also reflects the history and culture of Scotland. The Scottish Highlands have a rich tradition of storytelling and music, and News From Moidart is a prime example of this. Through its lyrics and melody, the song captures the essence of Scottish folklore and conveys the struggles and hardships faced by the Highlanders during a tumultuous period in their history.
In conclusion, News From Moidart is a timeless and poignant Scottish song that has stood the test of time. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics continue to resonate with people all over the world, making it a significant piece of cultural heritage. Through its themes of love, loss, and longing, the song captures the essence of the human experience and reflects the history and culture of Scotland. News From Moidart is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to transcend time and place.
The origins of News From Moidart can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic oral tradition of storytelling and song. It is believed that the song was created in the 18th century, during a time of great upheaval and migration in Scotland. The Scottish Highlands were undergoing significant changes as a result of the Jacobite uprisings and the subsequent Highland Clearances, which forced many Highlanders to leave their homes and seek a new life elsewhere. News From Moidart reflects this tumultuous period in Scottish history, as it tells the story of a young man leaving his home and the bittersweet consequences of his journey.
The song is set in the rugged and remote region of Moidart, situated on the west coast of Scotland. Moidart is a place of great natural beauty, with its rolling hills, verdant forests, and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a place of great historical significance, as it was the location of several significant battles during the Jacobite uprisings. The song's vivid description of the landscape and its surroundings creates a strong sense of place and transports the listener to the rugged and windswept hills of Moidart.
The protagonist of the song is a young man who decides to leave Moidart in search of adventure. He sets off on a ship, leaving behind his beloved and promising to return to her one day. As he sails away, he looks back at the hills of Moidart and reflects on his decision to leave. The song's lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and nostalgia for the place he is leaving behind. The young man's journey takes him to faraway lands, but he never forgets his home in Moidart and the love he left behind.
As the years go by, the young man's thoughts are consumed by memories of Moidart and his beloved. He longs to return and fulfill his promise, but fate has other plans. When he finally returns to Moidart, he is heartbroken to find that his beloved has moved on and married someone else. The song's lyrics convey a sense of regret and sadness as the young man realizes that he can never recapture what he has lost. He is left with nothing but the news from Moidart, a reminder of his past and the love he left behind.
The themes of love, loss, and longing depicted in News From Moidart are universal and timeless. The song's story of a young man leaving his home in search of adventure and ultimately returning to find that his loved one has moved on without him resonates with people from all walks of life. It speaks to the human experience of leaving behind a familiar place and the struggle to find a sense of belonging elsewhere.
Furthermore, the song also reflects the history and culture of Scotland. The Scottish Highlands have a rich tradition of storytelling and music, and News From Moidart is a prime example of this. Through its lyrics and melody, the song captures the essence of Scottish folklore and conveys the struggles and hardships faced by the Highlanders during a tumultuous period in their history.
In conclusion, News From Moidart is a timeless and poignant Scottish song that has stood the test of time. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics continue to resonate with people all over the world, making it a significant piece of cultural heritage. Through its themes of love, loss, and longing, the song captures the essence of the human experience and reflects the history and culture of Scotland. News From Moidart is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to transcend time and place.
4/4)The [Dm]news from Moidart [F]cam ye[Am]streen,
Will [Dm]soon gar mony ferlie
For [F]ships o' war hae (3/4) [Am]just come [C]in,
And (4/4) [Dm]landed Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
(4/4) Come [Dm]thro’ the hea[Am]ther, a[Dm]roond him ga[Am]ther,
You're [Dm]a' the wel[Am]comer ear[C]ly,
A[F]roond him cling wi' (2/4) [Am]a' yer (4/4) [C]kin',
For [Dm]wha'll be king [Am]but [Dm]Chairlie.
(4/4) The [Dm]Highland clans wi' [F]sword in [Am]hand,
Frae [Dm]John o' Groats tae airlie,
Hae [F]to a man de(3/4)[Am]clared to [C]stand,
Or (4/4) [Dm]fa' for Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie .
Chorus
(4/4) There's [Dm]ne’er a lass in [F]a' the [Am]land,
But [Dm]vows baith late and early,
The [F]man she'd ne'er gie (3/4) [Am]heart nor [C]hand,
Wha’(4/4) [Dm]wadna fecht [Am]for [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
(4/4) Then [Dm]here's a health tae [F]Chairlie's [Am]cause,
An' [Dm]be't complete and early,
His [F]very name our (3/4) [Am]heart's blood [C]warms,
To (4/4) [Dm]arms for Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
Come [Dm]thro’ the hea[Am]ther, a[Dm]roond him ga[Am]ther,
Come [Dm]Ronald, come [C]Donald, come [F]a' the [Am]gither,
De[F]clare him rightful, (2/4) [Am]lawful (4/4) [C]king,
For [Dm]wha'll be king [Am]but [Dm]Chairlie.
Will [Dm]soon gar mony ferlie
For [F]ships o' war hae (3/4) [Am]just come [C]in,
And (4/4) [Dm]landed Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
(4/4) Come [Dm]thro’ the hea[Am]ther, a[Dm]roond him ga[Am]ther,
You're [Dm]a' the wel[Am]comer ear[C]ly,
A[F]roond him cling wi' (2/4) [Am]a' yer (4/4) [C]kin',
For [Dm]wha'll be king [Am]but [Dm]Chairlie.
(4/4) The [Dm]Highland clans wi' [F]sword in [Am]hand,
Frae [Dm]John o' Groats tae airlie,
Hae [F]to a man de(3/4)[Am]clared to [C]stand,
Or (4/4) [Dm]fa' for Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie .
Chorus
(4/4) There's [Dm]ne’er a lass in [F]a' the [Am]land,
But [Dm]vows baith late and early,
The [F]man she'd ne'er gie (3/4) [Am]heart nor [C]hand,
Wha’(4/4) [Dm]wadna fecht [Am]for [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
(4/4) Then [Dm]here's a health tae [F]Chairlie's [Am]cause,
An' [Dm]be't complete and early,
His [F]very name our (3/4) [Am]heart's blood [C]warms,
To (4/4) [Dm]arms for Ro[Am]yal [Dm]Chairlie.
Chorus
Come [Dm]thro’ the hea[Am]ther, a[Dm]roond him ga[Am]ther,
Come [Dm]Ronald, come [C]Donald, come [F]a' the [Am]gither,
De[F]clare him rightful, (2/4) [Am]lawful (4/4) [C]king,
For [Dm]wha'll be king [Am]but [Dm]Chairlie.
Wha'll Be King But Charlie sheet music
The guitar tab , fingerstyle.
Wha'll Be King But Charlie tin whistle notes
News From Moidart Sheet Music Notes
