SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES IN A NATION
Robert Burns
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song in Real Audio
by Gaberlunzie
Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
Footnote : The Act of Union between Scotland and England came into force
on 1st May 1707. As this anti-Union song by Robert Burns points out the
Union was brought about by bribery and corruption. There was also a
military threat, as England's General Wade sat on their side of the
Border ready to invade if The Three Estates vote had gone against the
incorporating Union. I happily raise a glass to 'The cassin o the
Wanchancie Covenant!' ( see
Scots Sayings
in Scots Language Feature ).
