Glencoe


In the midst of clan wars and revolution, two members of rival clans fell in love. Their forbidden love instigated more dealings between the clans, the MacDonalds and Campbells. The first winter of the two's marriage, a band of soldiers demanded lodgings in Glancoe, situated in the valley between two long mountain chains. Betraying the most basic of rules- Scottish hospitality- they lept upon the MacDonalds and slaughtered almost the entire village. Many managed to flee to the caves neaby, but the chieftain and his first born were both murdered.




Glencoe

Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe And covers the grave o' Donald Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe And murdered the house of MacDonald They came in a blizzard, we offered them heat A roof for their heads, dry shoes for their feet We wined them and dined them, they ate of our meat And they slept in the house of MacDonald They came from Fort William with murder in mind The Campbell had orders King William had signed "Put all to the sword"- these words underlined "And leave none alive called MacDonald" They came in the night when the men were asleep This band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep Like murdering foxes amongst helpless sheep They slaughtered the house of MacDonald Some died in their beds at the hand of the foe Some fled in the night and were lost in the snow Some lived to accuse him who struck the first blow But gone was the house of MacDonald ~traditional folk song