Flowers of the Forest

I had heard this always as a lament on the bagpipes and then I heard the words ..... this video is very evocative ....

just a thought for "our boys " wherever they were or are .......

YouTube - The Flowers Of The Forest

 

Well put to-gether video. The words were written in the 18th century by Jean Elliott.

I've heard them liltin', at the ewe milkin,'
Lasses a-liltin' before dawn of day.
Now there's a moanin', on ilka green loanin'.
The flowers of the forest are a' wede away.

As boughts in the mornin', nae blithe lads are scornin',
Lasses are lonely and dowie and wae.
Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighin' and sobbin',
Ilk ane lifts her leglin, and hies her away.

At e'en in the gloamin', nae swankies are roamin',
Mang stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play.
But ilk maid sits drearie, lamentin' her dearie,
The flowers of the forest are a' wede away.

In har'st at the shearin' nae youths now are jeerin'
Bandsters are runkled, and lyart, or grey.
At fair or at preachin', nae wooin', nae fleecin',
The flowers of the forest are a' wede away.

Dool for the order sent our lads to the Border,
the English for ance by guile wan the day.
The flowers of the forest, that fought aye the foremost,
The prime of our land lie cauld in the clay.

We'll hae nae mair liltin', at the ewe milkin',
Women and bairns are dowie and wae.
Sighin' and moanin' on ilka green loanin',
The flowers of the forest are all wede away.

 

Thank you for the words 51highland ... I'd never heard them before !

we all seem to learn something every day don't we ??

 

Very moving and evocative.

I believe the "Flowers of the Forest" refers to the Scottish warriors who fell at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, against Henry VIII's troops.

 

Maybe so, but I thought it was from the Jocobean uprising and Culloden 1746. But I am not sure.

 

Just googled and see wikipedia agrees with your good self.

 

I thought it was for the death of King James .... but which one and when I have no idea !! :headhurt:

Funnily enough I found another song with the mention of it !!

YouTube - John McDermott-The Green Fields Of France(Lyrics)

 

James IV was one of those killed at Flodden Field!

 

Just added a new page to my website with a bit of video with Flowers of the forest played by Piper Peter Grant of the Highlanders serving in Germany. It's difficult to video with watering eyes. Kept a promise to my Dad though.!!!

See it here; Schijndel 2009 Highland Division memorial

 

I can imagine it would have been difficult hwell: ... but you did a good job Highland !

Thanks for letting us see it ... the old soldiers look wonderful !

Annie

 

Another rendition, this time played by Piper Grant, The Highlanders, 4th battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. A emotional speech by Ron Titterton of Derbyshire Yeomanry. Flowers of the Forest and wreath laying at The Tower in Vught Holland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxSjNSXCJT0