Highlander's Farewell

After the battle of Culloden in 1746, the young pretender Bonnie Prince Charlie fled back to France leaving Scotland at the mercy of British redcoats Alone in darkness he stands Unseen behind rocks on a beach Washed, worn by salty tides Bidding adieu to his bonnie prince Who fled the bloody battlefield Betraying Scotland's precious flowers Men and boys - youngest only nine Laying massacred among the heather. Small of stature, immense in clan pride Blood-splattered, kilt in tatters Highlander waits for the dawn. Men, like shadows creep across the shingle Huddled against the cold in rowing boat As it pulls away from shore into the mist Where a French warship waits, sails set. Highlander remains alone on the beach In tears raises claymore in salute Shouting into the howling wind, "Will ye nay come back again? "