Kate McDevitt

Finding Myself in You

(voiced by Robert Douglas McLennan)

 At seven years o’ age

Ye coddled me and cared fer me

Ye taught me as a friend

And fed me like a son.

At ten years o’ age

Ye played wi’ me and pulled at me

Ye teased and taunted wi’ a smile

And at most games ye won.

When I was ten and twa

Yer brother and ye walked wi’ me

Ye stood by me wi’ support

Through tears and through the fun.

When I was ten and five

Ye were wiser yet than me

Ye tried to teach me lessons

But we were never done.

I turned ten and six

Wi’out your authorizin’

And tried tae break away frae ye

I thought ye couldna see.

I was ten and six

Masquerading as a lover

Being burnt by another

It was I wha couldna see.

I was ten and six

The drink was my new bedmate

The cards were my new friend

Wi’out a house and family

I was ten and six

Learnin’ wha’ I could frae any

Taken in by a couple

Wha taught all they could tae me

I turned ten and seven

And on the morn o’ my birthday

Yer brother wouldna come

But you brought me presents still

I turned ten and seven

And thought ye were an angel

Before I punched yer brother

And left ye all on Kintail Hill

I was ten and seven

Fighting fer causes I didna ken o’

Making enemies o’ soldiers

Manipulated against my will

I was ten and seven

Aching fer another

Searchin’ fer my own road

And yet ye were there still

I was ten and eight

Findin’ ways bak tae my own home

Findin’ my own mother dead

And changes all around

I was ten and eight

And back in my old world

Lookin’ fer the link

And it was ye I found

I was ten and eight

And back in yer arms finalla

Feelin’ a wet kiss

And tumblin’ tae the ground

I was ten and eight

Not too young tae be wedding

Squeezing yer hand tightla

As the tower bells did sound

I was merely twenty

When you gave me my wee Betty

Named fer her grandmother

Wha she would ne’er know

I was twenty and four

When ye gave me our wee Maggie

Difficult tae birth

But precious, head tae toe

I was twenty and five

At the risings o’ Glenfinnan

Campaigning fer The Pretender

Frae Highlands down tae low

I was twenty and five

When I told ye I must be leavin’

I must protect my honor

And fight against the foe

I was twenty and six

When I left ye fer a second time

We said that ye would luve me

And that I would luve ye true

I was twenty and seven

When I fought again in battle

Waging war again’ the English

Doin’ all that I could do

I was twenty and seven

At the battle o’ Culloden

I was shot thrice in the back

But ye didna have a clue

I was twenty and seven

When ye got the legal letter

Penned as to yer brother’s fate

And about my death too

I was almost thirty

Serving time aboard a slave ship

I could not protect my people

Daughter raped, brother hurt

I was almost thirty

When you left the house I built ye

Fleein’ wi’ my family

Huddled cold upon the dirt

I was thirty even

When ye found yer way wi’out me

Making laws despite the times

Despite yer blackened skirt

I was thirty even

When ye fixed the broken window

Bein’ tough and bein’ rough

And findin’ ways around the hurt

I was thirty and one

And ye thought I’d died already

Nae knowin’ o’ my fortune

Nae knowin’ I’d return

I was thirty and one

And nae a day I didna feel you

Wishin’ ye could see me

And teach me all that I could learn

I was thirty and one

When I found my way back tae ye

Scared, nervous, leaving a sign

And waitin’ fer my turn

I was thirty and one

When I met ye in our front yard

Holdin’ out my ringed hand

Wantin’ yer hand in return

I was finally myself

In our home in fair Kintail

Surrounded by kin and countra

And yer love taken tae heart

I was finally myself

When ye whispered softla tae me

Loyal, loving, sweet and kind

Telling me we’d ne’er part

I was finally myself

When I was among my family

Learnin’ what a father means

Learnin’ as if it were the start

I was finally myself

When I held ye tight against me

My honor does mean shite

With’out ye here inside my heart