Digital Tradition Mirror

Up and Warn a Willie

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Up and Warn a Willie
(Robert Burns)

When we gaed to the braes o' Mar,
  And to the wapon-shaw, Willie,
Wi' true design to serve the king
  And banish whigs awa, Willie.
     Up and warn a' Willie,
        Warn, warn a';
     To hear my cantie Highland sang,
        Relate the thing I saw, Willie.
For Lords and lairds came there bedeen
  And wow but they were braw, Willie.

But when the standard was set up
  Right fierce the wind did blaw, Willie;
The royal nit upon the tap
  Down to the ground did fa', Willie.
Up and warn a', Willie,
  Warn, warn a';
Then second-sighted Sandie said
  We'd do nae gude at a', Willie.

But when the army join'd at Perth,
  The bravest ere ye saw, Willie,
We didna doubt the rogues to rout,
  Restore our king and a', Willie.
Up and warn a' Willie,
 Warn, warn a';
The pipers play'd frae right to left
  O whirry whigs awa, Willie.

But when we march'd to Sherramuir
 And there the rebels saw, Willie;
Brave Argyle attack'd our right,
 Our flank and front and a, Willie.
Up and warn a', Willie,
  Warn, warn a',
Traitor Huntly sooin gave way
  Seaforth, St. Clair and a' Willie.

But brave Glengary on our right,
  The rebel's left did claw, Willie,
He there the greatest slaughter made
  That ever Donald saw, Willie.
Up and warn a', Willie,
  Warn, warn a',
And Whittam shat his breeks for fear
  And fast did rin awa', Willie.

For he ca'd us a Highland mob
  And soon he'd slay us a', Willie;
But we chas'd him back to Stirling brig
  Dragoons and foot and a', Willie.
Up and warn a'Willie,
  Warn, warn a',
At length we rallied on a hill
  An  briskly up did draw, Willie.

tune: Up and Warn a' Willie (212)
ARB

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!