Broadside ballad entitled 'New Scotch Ballad: Call'd Bothwell-Bridge: Or, Hamilton's Hero'

Commentary

Verse 1: 'When valiant Bucklugh charg'd his Foes, / And put the Rebel Scots to flight, / Full many a Gallant Squire arose / And rush'd into the Fight.' The lyrics should be sung to the tune, 'Fortune my Foe'. It was published in 1679 for T.B. of London.

The battle of Bothwell Bridge (or Brig) was fought on the 22nd June 1679 between Government forces, led by Sir John Graham of Claverhouse (also known as Bonnie Dundee), and a party of Covenanter forces. Previous to this the Archbishop of St Andrews, James Sharp, (1613-79) had been murdered on Magus Moor, Fife, by Covenanter assassins. They had then run riot through the streets of Strathaven. The battle was the culmination of that riot and the ensuing chase.                                                                                                                                                                           
Early ballads were dramatic or humorous narrative songs derived from folk culture that predated printing. Originally perpetuated by word of mouth, many ballads survive because they were recorded on broadsides. Musical notation was rarely printed, as tunes were usually established favourites. The term 'ballad' eventually applied more broadly to any kind of topical or popular verse.

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