Bonnie Prince Charlie

(Charles Edward Stuart, grandson of King James the Second, son of exiled James the Third.)

The castles fall.
The flowers wilt.
The sea winds die.
         A tattered kilt.

Blood ran cold.
Tombstones massed.
Bracken burned.
         An unknown past.

Blood-soaked earth.
Tear-stained rain.
Rage-filled land.
         A people's pain.

Hatred faced south.
Troubles faced kin.
Hunger faced all.
         A rogue from within.

Red hair a-fire.
Brown eyes a-blaze.
Clothing a-strewn.
         A prince in the haze.

Bold folk cheered.
Red coats brought danger.
The Stuart undaunted.
         A tyrant's fierce anger.

The ladies of Inverness.
The mountains of Skye.
The halls of St. James.
         A young heir tries.

The bagpipes were silenced.
By the invasion of Tories.
No more desire to win.
         A drink drowns his worries.

He almost brought freedom.
Forced to flee to the Seine.
The man gave all, but alas.
         A sorrowful end.

Now the bagpipes play proud.
For he had fought hansomely.
But no happy endings for.
         A Bonnie Prince Charlie.