Translation please

[Daveanmucker]

I've been learning a smashing little Scottish tune , entitled 'Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie' . Which I got from the Scottish mandolin site. But can't work out what it means, having picked up a bit o Scot or Doric or whatever on this forum, can anyone help with the translation or the sentiments of the tune.

[Mark]

I've been learning a smashing little Scottish tune , entitled 'Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie' . Which I got from the Scottish mandolin site. But can't work out what it means, having picked up a bit o Scot or Doric or whatever on this forum, can anyone help with the translation or the sentiments of the tune.

"Tak it man tak it" by (another) Andy Stewart is an incomprehensible spotify favorite of mine.

[Rowana]

I've been learning a smashing little Scottish tune , entitled 'Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie' . Which I got from the Scottish mandolin site. But can't work out what it means, having picked up a bit o Scot or Doric or whatever on this forum, can anyone help with the translation or the sentiments of the tune.

This is a Jacobite song for Bonnie Prince Charlie -



Wha wadna' fecht for Charlie?
Wha wadna' draw the sword?
Wha wad nae up an' rally
At the royal Prince's word?

Think on Scotland's ancient heroes
Think on foreign foes to fell
Think on glorious gruesome Wallace
What the proud usurpers quelled

CHORUS

Rouse ye rows o' kilted warriors
Rouse ye heroes o' the North
Rouse and join your chieftains' banners
'Tis your Prince that leads you forth

CHORUS

See the northern clans advancing
See Glengarrie and Montiel
See the brandished broadswords glancing
Highland hats of cruel steel

CHORUS

Know our Prince has raised his banner
Know triumphant is our cause
Know the Scottish Lion rallies
Let us fight for Prince and laws

CHORUS

[sahona]

Is the tune the same as "the Cameronians"? looks like it scans anyway.i

[DaveS]

I've been learning a smashing little Scottish tune , entitled 'Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie' . Which I got from the Scottish mandolin site. But can't work out what it means, having picked up a bit o Scot or Doric or whatever on this forum, can anyone help with the translation or the sentiments of the tune.

OK, I'll have a go at helping with the translation, based on Rowanna's lyrics ( with / added where my memory differs slightly - it's not uncommon for popular songs to "drift" a bit). Also, most of it is written in almost standard English so doesn't need translated.

Wha wadna' fecht for Charlie? Who wouldn't fight
Wha wadna' draw the sword? Who wouldn't
Wha wad nae up an' rally Who would not [rise] up and
At the royal Prince's word?

Think on Scotland's ancient heroes
Think on foreign foes to fell
Think on glorious gruesome Wallace
What /Who/ the proud usurpers quelled

CHORUS

Rouse ye rows o' kilted warriors
Rouse ye heroes o' the North
Rouse and join your chieftains' banners
'Tis your Prince that leads you forth

CHORUS

See the northern clans advancing
See Glengarrie and Montiel /Locheil/
See the brandished broadswords glancing
Highland hats of cruel steel /hearts as true as steel/

CHORUS

Know our Prince has raised his banner
Know triumphant is our cause
Know the Scottish Lion rallies
Let us fight for Prince and laws

CHORUS

[Daveanmucker]

Thanks for that it explains the sentiment, I'd got it completely wrong applying Lancashire dialect it seemed like, why will you not feyt fer Charlie.