Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glen Coe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glen Coe
And murdered the house of MacDonald
They came in a blizzard, we offered them heat
A roof for their heads, dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them, they ate of our meat
And they slept in the house of MacDonald
Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glen Coe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glen Coe
And murdered the house of MacDonald
They came from Fort William with murder in mind
The Campbell had orders King William had signed
"Put all to the sword"- these words underlined
"And leave none alive called MacDonald"
Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glen Coe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glen Coe
And murdered the house of MacDonald
They came in the night when the men were asleep
This band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep
Like murdering foxes amongst helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house of MacDonald
Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glen Coe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glen Coe
And murdered the house of MacDonald
Some died in their beds at the hand of the foe
Some fled in the night and were lost in the snow
Some lived to accuse him who struck the first blow
But gone was the house of MacDonald
Oh, cruel was the snow that sweeps Glen Coe
And covers the grave o' Donald
Oh, cruel was the foe that raped Glen Coe
And murdered the house of MacDonald
Jim McLean wrote the tune and words to Glencoe around 40 years ago.
Although the history of the highlands is filled with clan warfare, the Massacre at Glen Coe stands out because of the betrayal of the time honored tradition of highland hospitality and it's genocidal intent.
In 1688, William of Orange convinced the English
Parliament to oust the current King James VII of Scotland and of England and
install William himself as regent. At the time, England and Scotland was a
boiling cauldron of national and religious animosities, not only between the two
countries but also amongst political factions and the clans themselves.
Then King William demanded an oath of loyalty by all
clan chiefs with a deadline of 1 January 1692. MacDonald Clan Chief MacIain of
Glencoe, leaving this distasteful task to the last moment, made his way to Fort
William on 31 December 1691. Maclain presented himself to Colonel Hill the
governor, asking him to administer the required oath of allegiance. Hill told
Maclain that he must go to Inverarary, which wasn't easy in deep mid-winter
snow, and mountainous terrain, so he was late. This appears to have been a
premeditated plot, involving secret letters, ignored letters of free passage and
other skullduggery by the current political officials. The governor gleefully
planned to make an example of the MacDonalds at Glencoe and the Campbells were
not in the least reluctant to assist in the execution of this plan.
With instructions to kill every man of the Glen Coe clan
under the age of 70 (approximately 200), Campbell of Glenlyon and some 128
soldiers, of various clans, including Campbells, called on MacDonald, said they
were in the area to collect taxes and asked his hospitality. For 12 days they
had a spontaneous ceilidh, ate the MacDonalds' winter food supply, drank to each
other's health and made marriage plans between the young ones.
Exactly according to plan, at five o'clock on the
morning of 13. February 1692 Campbell of Glenlyon and his soldiers rose from
their beds to massacre their hosts. They managed to kill only 38, including some
women, children and an 80 year old man, but some escaped and women and children
were sent naked, into a sudden blizzard, from their razed and looted homes.
If you are using Netscape to play the tune click on the play button.
