The Battle of Harlaw - Reid Harlaw

Six hundred years or so ago the fields around here were pouring with blood when, on 24 July 1411, the opposing armies of Donald Lord of the Isles and the Earl of Mar fought over the Earldom of Ross.

Described by musicologist and broadcaster John Purser as ""a disaster of epic brutality that solved nothing but left an indelible mark on the people's consciousness" and known locally as "Reid Harlaw", the battle has spawned a whole heap of songs including this one by Old Blind Dogs.

There are quite a few versions around though, including this one based on the text used by Max Dunbar on the recording "Songs and Ballads of the Scottish Wars":

As I cam in by Dunidier
And doon by Netherha',
There were fifty thoosand Hieland men
Cam mairchin' tae Harlaw.

Chorus
Wi' a dree dree dradie drumtie dree
A dree dree drumtie dra.

As I cam on and further on
And doon and by Harlaw,
They fell fu' close on ilka side;
Sic fun ye never saw.

They fell fu' close on ilka side;
Sic fun ye never saw,
For Hieland swords gied clash for clash
At the battle o' Harlaw.

Brave Forbes tae his brither did say,
"Noo brither, dinna ye see?
They beat us back on ilka side,
And we'll be forced tae flee."

"O no, o no, my brither dear,
That thing maun never be;
Tak ye your gude sword in your hand
And come your wa's wi' me."

Then back tae back the brithers twa
Gaed in amang the thrang,
And they hewed doon the Hieland men
Wi' swords baith sharp and lang.

MacDonal, he was young and stout,
Had on his coat o' mail,
And he has gane oot through them a'
Tae try his hand himsel'.

The first ae strake that Forbes strack,
He gart MacDonal reel;
The niest ae strake that Forbes strack,
The great MacDonal fell.

On Monaday, at mornin',
The battle it began;
On Saturday, at gloamin',
Ye'd scarce ken wha had wan.

Gin onybody spier at ye
For them ye took awa',
Ye may tell their wives and bairnies
They're sleepin' at Harlaw.