It Was A' For Oor Rightful King

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Traditionally this song of exile is credited to Captain Ogilvie of Inverquharity, who escaped from Ireland to France with James VII in 1690 and enlisted in the service of Louis XIV. After the conquest of Ireland by William II many Irish soldiers enlisted in the French army in the hope that they would one day be able to return to Ireland as liberators.

It was a for oor rightfu King,
We left fair Scotland’s strand
It was a for oor rightful king,
We e’er saw Irish land, my dear -
We e’er saw Irish land.

Now a is done that men can do
And a is done in vain,
My Love and native land fareweel
For I maun cross the main, my dear -
For I maun cross the main.

He turn’d him right an round about
Upon the Irish shore
And gae his bridle reins a shake,
With adieu for evermore, my dear -
With adieu for evermore

The soger frae the war returns
The sailor frae the main
But I hae parted frae my love