Track #2 from from Silly Wizard’s sixth and final studio album, “A Glint of Silver” (1986), now sadly out of print. An original jig by Phil Cunningham, coupled with an old Jacobite rallying song.
Wha’ll be King but Charlie?” is a traditional Scottish song about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the leader of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, written by Caroline Nairne in the late 18th century. The song expresses loyalty to Charlie and reflects the Jacobite sentiments of the time, celebrating his cause and the hope for his return after the defeat at the Battle of Culloden. Wikipedia
Lyrics
Wha’ll Be King But Charlie Lyrics.
Em (G/C) Em.
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin
For wha’ll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a’ the gither
And crown your rightfu’ lawfu’ King!
For wha’ll be King, but Charlie?
The news frae Moidart cam’ yestreen
Will som gar mony ferlie
For ships o’ war hae just come in
And landed Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather…
The Heland clans, wi’ sword in hand
Frae John o’Groats to Airlie
Ha’e to a man declar’d to stand
Or fa’ war’ with Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin
For wha’ll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a’ the gither
And crown your rightfu’ lawfu’ King!
For wha’ll be King, but Charlie?
Come through the heather…
The Lowlands a’ baith great and sma’
Wi’ mony a lord and laird
Hae’ declar’d for Scotland’s king, and law
Spier ye what, but Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin
For wha’ll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
And crown your rightfu’ lawfu’ King!
For wha’ll be King, but Charlie?
Then here’s a health to Charlie’s cause
An’ be it complete an’ early
His very name our heart’s bluid warms
To arms for Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
Around him cling wi’ a’ your kin
For wha’ll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather
Ye’re a’ the welcomer early
And crown your rightfu’ lawfu’ King!
For wha’ll be King, but Charlie?
