Lyrics – Ye Jacobites By Name

Is it a Whig or a Jacobite song? An anti-war song attributed to Robert Burns who adapted an earlier version in 1791.

Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear, lend an ear,
Ye Jacobites by name, lend an ear,
Ye Jacobites by name,
Your fautes I will proclaim,
Your doctrines I maun blame, ye shall hear.

Whit is right and whit is wrang, by the law, by the law?
Whit is right and whit is wrang by the law?
Whit is right, and whit is wrang?
A short sword, and a lang,
A weak airm and a strang, fur tae draw.

Whit maks heroic strife, famed afar, famed afar?
Whait maks heroic strife famed afar?
Whit mak heroic strife?
Tae whet th’ assassin’s knife,
Or hunt a Parent’s life, wi bluidy war?

Then let yer schemes alone, in the state, in the state,
Then let yer schemes alone in the state.
Then let yer schemes alone,
Adore the rising sun,
And leave a man undone, tae his fate.