We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Dark Bonnymuir

from This Land is Our Land by Alan Dickson

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    This sampler EP showcases some of the songs from the Strains of Eden project. Devised and created by Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson it focuses on Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the songs in the series will appear for the first time. The project aims to make an important addition to the rich cultural heritage of Scottish life, and to raise awareness of this period in terms of informing debate about social and ecological concerns of today. For more information visit: www.strainsofeden.net

    Includes unlimited streaming of This Land is Our Land via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      £5 GBP

     

about

Reputedly written by Allan Barbour Murchie not long after the 'Battle of Bonnymuir' when a band of Scottish Radicals marched to take over the Carron Iron Works in April 1820 to protest against worsening economic and social conditions, and to campaign for more voting rights. It was sung by Chartists in the 1840s. This is an abridged version.

lyrics

As evening dashed on the western ocean,
Caledonia stood perched on the waves of the Clyde;
Her arms wide extended she raised with devotion,-
“My poor bleeding country” she vehemently cried,
“Arise up my country and hail reformation;
“Arise and demand now the rights of our nation.
Behold your oppressors shall meet the desolation;
“That marked the brave victims at dark Bonnymuir,

On the 5th day of April, eighteen hundred and twenty,
The great Baird and Hardie did march from their home;
To guard their freedom, homes, rights, peace and plenty,
But tyranny conquered and gave them a tomb.
Like traitors they died on the 8th of September;
In the cold silent grave they were consigned to slumber,
But heaven will avenge them let tyrants remember;
And raise up new hero's on dark Bonnymuir,


Though freedom has bled on the field sorely wounded,
Shall liberty perish and die in its bloom?
Shall tyranny triumph though freedom has grounded?
The arms of the hero's that lie ill in the tomb,
But freedom shall rise to the greatest perfection,
Avenging her wrongs with hard words of correction;
When on my country with filial affection,
I sigh for the martyrs of dark Bonnymuir.

How long shall tyrants usurp over freedom?
How long shall we groan in their vile servlle chains?
Arise up my children and sink them like Sodom.
E'er sad desolation reigns over the plains;
Oh, muse on the day when great Wallace was rearing
The broad sword of Scotland, when tyrants were fearing,
At the sound of the trumpet were thousands appearing,
To die, or to conquer on dark Bonnymuir.

credits

from This Land is Our Land, track released March 25, 2015
Tune 'Twas Past One O Clock'.

license

tags

about

Alan Dickson image

Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

contact / help

Contact Alan Dickson

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Alan Dickson, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now