The Wallace Lyrics And Guitar Chords
The song "The Wallace" by Runrig tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish hero. The lyrics detail his execution by the English, including how he was hung, disemboweled, and quartered, as the queen watched. The song also mentions his victories at Stirling and Falkirk and his eventual betrayal by Menteith. The song ends with a defiant message about Wallace's enduring spirit and a call for freedom for Scotland.
By Runrig [ lyrics ]. Written by Jim McLean. 6/8. Jim used to be the road manager for The Dubliners and wrote many's a great song.
Intro: G-D7-G-D
They (G)hung Wallace high from the (D7)gallows, –D-G
They let him down ere he was (C)dead, -G-C
And (G)while he choked the queen (D7)jeered him, –D-G
For daring to (C)cross English (G)Ted. –D-G
His heart and his (C)liver they (D7)savaged,(D)
While her (G)majesty (C)watched the glad (D7)scene, -G-C
His (G)head was cut (C)off, he was (D7)quartered, -D-G
T’was an afternoon (D7)fit for a (G)queen.
Chorus
(C)They (G)murdered the Wallace for (D7)treason, -D-G
His body has long since de(C)cayed, -G-C
But (G)no English crown can de(D7)stroy him, -D-G
For Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day, (D7)aye
(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day. -D-G
He (G)took up the sword against (D7)England, –D-G
The cowardly Sassenach (C)ran, -G-C
He (G)beat them at Stirling and (D7)Falkirk, –D-G
And he banned them like (C)rats from our (G)land. –D-G
King Edward of (C)England was (D7)raging(D)
That (G)Scotland was (C)free once a(D7)gain, -G-C
The (G)Scottish Re(C)publican (D7)Army -D-G
Had wiped out his (D7)best fighting (G)men.
Chorus
Oh, (G)William the Wallace fought (D7)bravely, –D-G
No Englishman could him de(C)feat, -G-C
But (G)English gold brought Scottish (D7)quislings, –D-G
And he was be(C)trayed by Men(G)teith. –D-G
With a crown made of (C)thorns he was (D7)tortured,(D)
For (G)setting his (C)own country (D7)free. -G-C
How (G)am I a (C)traitor cried (D7)Wallace -D-G
When England is (D7)foreign to (G)me.
Chorus
From (G)Edinburgh, Stirling and (D7)Falkirk, –D-G
From Inverness to Elders(C)lie, -G-C
His (G)spirit is calling for (D7)justice, –D-G
And commands us to (C)set ourselves (G)free. –D-G
So when once a(C)gain we do (D7)battle(D)
For (G)Scotland a(C)gainst English (D7)scum, -G-C
With no (G)fear of be(C)trayal to the (D7)Saxon -D-G
Let them come! Let them (D7)come! Let them (G)come!
Chorus (Without final chords)
(D7)Aye(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day.
(D7)Aye(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day.
Intro: G-D7-G-D
They (G)hung Wallace high from the (D7)gallows, –D-G
They let him down ere he was (C)dead, -G-C
And (G)while he choked the queen (D7)jeered him, –D-G
For daring to (C)cross English (G)Ted. –D-G
His heart and his (C)liver they (D7)savaged,(D)
While her (G)majesty (C)watched the glad (D7)scene, -G-C
His (G)head was cut (C)off, he was (D7)quartered, -D-G
T’was an afternoon (D7)fit for a (G)queen.
Chorus
(C)They (G)murdered the Wallace for (D7)treason, -D-G
His body has long since de(C)cayed, -G-C
But (G)no English crown can de(D7)stroy him, -D-G
For Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day, (D7)aye
(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day. -D-G
He (G)took up the sword against (D7)England, –D-G
The cowardly Sassenach (C)ran, -G-C
He (G)beat them at Stirling and (D7)Falkirk, –D-G
And he banned them like (C)rats from our (G)land. –D-G
King Edward of (C)England was (D7)raging(D)
That (G)Scotland was (C)free once a(D7)gain, -G-C
The (G)Scottish Re(C)publican (D7)Army -D-G
Had wiped out his (D7)best fighting (G)men.
Chorus
Oh, (G)William the Wallace fought (D7)bravely, –D-G
No Englishman could him de(C)feat, -G-C
But (G)English gold brought Scottish (D7)quislings, –D-G
And he was be(C)trayed by Men(G)teith. –D-G
With a crown made of (C)thorns he was (D7)tortured,(D)
For (G)setting his (C)own country (D7)free. -G-C
How (G)am I a (C)traitor cried (D7)Wallace -D-G
When England is (D7)foreign to (G)me.
Chorus
From (G)Edinburgh, Stirling and (D7)Falkirk, –D-G
From Inverness to Elders(C)lie, -G-C
His (G)spirit is calling for (D7)justice, –D-G
And commands us to (C)set ourselves (G)free. –D-G
So when once a(C)gain we do (D7)battle(D)
For (G)Scotland a(C)gainst English (D7)scum, -G-C
With no (G)fear of be(C)trayal to the (D7)Saxon -D-G
Let them come! Let them (D7)come! Let them (G)come!
Chorus (Without final chords)
(D7)Aye(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day.
(D7)Aye(G)Wallace is (C)with us to(G)day.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (2/4 March Feel)
This song works best with a slow march in 2/4, giving that “left–right, left–right” soldier’s step.
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑
(count: 1 & 2 &)
So you strike a strong bass on beat 1, and light brush on beat 2.
Keep it deliberate — not bouncy.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑
1 & 2 &
You can accentuate beats like a drum:
Boom–chick, Boom–chick
Bass alternation ideas:
G → 6th → 4th strings
C → 5th → 4th strings
D7 → 4th → 5th strings
If you palm mute the bass lightly, you’ll get that march snare effect.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a steady 2/4 arpeggio pattern that mirrors the march:
Thumb (p) on beat 1 → Fingers (i+m) together on beat 2
So each bar feels like:
Bass note (1) — Treble pluck (2)
Simple, stately, and powerful.
Use:
Thumb (p) for bass (E, A, or D)
Index (i) for G
Middle (m) for B
Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
G D7 C G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------2-----------2------|--------0-----------0------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|---------------------------|3--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
They hung Wallace high from the gallows, they let him down ere he was dead,
G D7 C G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------2-----------2------|--------0-----------0------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|---------------------------|3--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
And while he choked the queen jeered him, for daring to cross English Ted.
G C D7 D
e|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------0------|--------2-----------2------|--------2-----------2------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------3---3-------3---3----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----2-------2---2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|3--------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
His heart and his liver they savaged, while her majesty watched the glad scene,
G C D7 G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------0------|--------2-----------2------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|3--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
His head was cut off, he was quartered—t’was an afternoon fit for a queen.
This song works best with a slow march in 2/4, giving that “left–right, left–right” soldier’s step.
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑
(count: 1 & 2 &)
So you strike a strong bass on beat 1, and light brush on beat 2.
Keep it deliberate — not bouncy.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑
1 & 2 &
You can accentuate beats like a drum:
Boom–chick, Boom–chick
Bass alternation ideas:
G → 6th → 4th strings
C → 5th → 4th strings
D7 → 4th → 5th strings
If you palm mute the bass lightly, you’ll get that march snare effect.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a steady 2/4 arpeggio pattern that mirrors the march:
Thumb (p) on beat 1 → Fingers (i+m) together on beat 2
So each bar feels like:
Bass note (1) — Treble pluck (2)
Simple, stately, and powerful.
Use:
Thumb (p) for bass (E, A, or D)
Index (i) for G
Middle (m) for B
Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
G D7 C G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------2-----------2------|--------0-----------0------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|---------------------------|3--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
They hung Wallace high from the gallows, they let him down ere he was dead,
G D7 C G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------2-----------2------|--------0-----------0------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|---------------------------|3--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
And while he choked the queen jeered him, for daring to cross English Ted.
G C D7 D
e|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------0------|--------2-----------2------|--------2-----------2------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------3---3-------3---3----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----2-------2---2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|3--------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
His heart and his liver they savaged, while her majesty watched the glad scene,
G C D7 G
e|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------0------|--------2-----------2------|--------3-----------3------|
B|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------1---1----|------1---1-------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|----0-------0---0-------0--|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|3--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
His head was cut off, he was quartered—t’was an afternoon fit for a queen.
Alternative version of the chords in the key of D.
They (D)hung Wallace high from the (A7)gallows, –
They let him down ere he was (G)dead, -G-C
And (D)while he choked the queen (A7)jeered him,
For daring to (G)cross English (D)Ted. –D-G
His heart and his (G)liver they (A7)savaged,(A)
While her (D)majesty (G)watched the glad (A7)scene,
His (D)head was cut (G)off, he was (A7)quartered,
T’was an afternoon (A7)fit for a (D)queen.
Chorus
(G)They (D)murdered the Wallace for (A7)treason, -
His body has long since de(G)cayed,
But (D)no English crown can de(A7)stroy him,
For Wallace is (G)with us to(D)day, (A7)aye
(D)Wallace is (G)with us to(D)day.
He (D)took up the sword against (A7)England,
The cowardly Sassenach (G)ran,
He (D)beat them at Stirling and (A7)Falkirk,
And he banned them like (G)rats from our (D)land.
King Edward of (G)England was (A7)raging(A)
That (D)Scotland was (G)free once a(A7)gain,
The (D)Scottish Re(G)publican (A7)Army
Had wiped out his (A7)best fighting (D)men.
Chorus
Oh, (D)William the Wallace fought (A7)bravely, –
No Englishman could him de(G)feat, -G-C
But (D)English gold brought Scottish (A7)quislings,
And he was be(G)trayed by Men(D)teith.
With a crown made of (G)thorns he was (A7)tortured,(A]
For (D)setting his (G)own country (A7)free.
How (D)am I a (G)traitor cried (A7)Wallace
When England is (A7)foreign to (D)me.
Chorus
From (D)Edinburgh, Stirling and (A7)Falkirk, –
From Inverness to Elders(G)lie,
His (D)spirit is calling for (A7)justice,
And commands us to (G)set ourselves (D)free.
So when once a(G)gain we do (A7)battle(A)
For (D)Scotland a(G)gainst English (A7)scum,
With no (D)fear of be(G)trayal to the (A7)Saxon
Let them come! Let them (A7)come! Let them (D)come!
They (D)hung Wallace high from the (A7)gallows, –
They let him down ere he was (G)dead, -G-C
And (D)while he choked the queen (A7)jeered him,
For daring to (G)cross English (D)Ted. –D-G
His heart and his (G)liver they (A7)savaged,(A)
While her (D)majesty (G)watched the glad (A7)scene,
His (D)head was cut (G)off, he was (A7)quartered,
T’was an afternoon (A7)fit for a (D)queen.
Chorus
(G)They (D)murdered the Wallace for (A7)treason, -
His body has long since de(G)cayed,
But (D)no English crown can de(A7)stroy him,
For Wallace is (G)with us to(D)day, (A7)aye
(D)Wallace is (G)with us to(D)day.
He (D)took up the sword against (A7)England,
The cowardly Sassenach (G)ran,
He (D)beat them at Stirling and (A7)Falkirk,
And he banned them like (G)rats from our (D)land.
King Edward of (G)England was (A7)raging(A)
That (D)Scotland was (G)free once a(A7)gain,
The (D)Scottish Re(G)publican (A7)Army
Had wiped out his (A7)best fighting (D)men.
Chorus
Oh, (D)William the Wallace fought (A7)bravely, –
No Englishman could him de(G)feat, -G-C
But (D)English gold brought Scottish (A7)quislings,
And he was be(G)trayed by Men(D)teith.
With a crown made of (G)thorns he was (A7)tortured,(A]
For (D)setting his (G)own country (A7)free.
How (D)am I a (G)traitor cried (A7)Wallace
When England is (A7)foreign to (D)me.
Chorus
From (D)Edinburgh, Stirling and (A7)Falkirk, –
From Inverness to Elders(G)lie,
His (D)spirit is calling for (A7)justice,
And commands us to (G)set ourselves (D)free.
So when once a(G)gain we do (A7)battle(A)
For (D)Scotland a(G)gainst English (A7)scum,
With no (D)fear of be(G)trayal to the (A7)Saxon
Let them come! Let them (A7)come! Let them (D)come!
