Loch Lomond
Lyrics
Verse 1: By yon bonnie banks, and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Chorus: Oh, you’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Verse 2: ‘Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where in purple hue, the Highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.
Chorus: Oh, you’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Verse 3: The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping,
But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again,
Though the waefu’ may cease frae their greeting.
Chorus: Oh, you’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Sing Along
History
The song Loch Lomond is a traditional Scottish song with a deep emotional and historical significance. While its exact origins are uncertain, the song is often associated with themes of love, loss, and Scottish identity. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning:
1. Historical Context:
Many believe Loch Lomond was written in the aftermath of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. The Jacobites, led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), fought to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne. After their defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, many Jacobite soldiers were imprisoned or executed, and Scotland experienced a period of political and social turmoil.
2. The Two Roads:
The famous line in the chorus, “Oh, you’ll take the high road, and I’ll take the low road”, is thought to refer to two different paths to return to Scotland:
- The high road may symbolize the living, who can physically travel home.
- The low road is often interpreted as a reference to the soul of a fallen soldier returning to Scotland after death, through the land of the fairies or the underworld.
The “low road” could represent the journey of the soul in death, believed by some to travel faster than those still living.
3. Love and Separation:
The song tells the story of a man separated from his love, likely due to war or political conflict. The singer is lamenting that he will never meet his true love again on the “bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond,” which reflects deep sorrow and heartbreak.
The mention of Loch Lomond, a beautiful and iconic Scottish loch, evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for the homeland, making it a powerful symbol of Scotland itself.
4. Interpretations:
- Mourning for a Lost Loved One: Some interpret the song as the words of a Jacobite soldier who has been sentenced to death, singing about how his soul will return to Scotland while his companion will live and take the “high road” back.
- Political and Cultural Resonance: The song has been embraced as a symbol of Scottish pride, identity, and the struggle for independence.
Summary of the Song’s Meaning:
Loch Lomond is a poignant ballad of love, loss, and separation, set against the backdrop of Scotland’s historical struggles. It conveys the deep sorrow of parting, possibly forever, and speaks to the eternal bond with home and loved ones, even beyond death. The contrast between the “high road” and the “low road” adds a layer of spiritual and cultural significance to the song, making it one of Scotland’s most cherished traditional songs.