I HAE BEEN AT CROOKIEDEN

Click here to listen: https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/i-hae-been-at-crookieden

Although there is a real place called Crookieden, near Laurencekirk, the name in this context refers to Hell. The words below comprise another pro-Jacobite expression by Robert Burns. “Willie” refers to William, Duke of Cumberland and victor of the battle of Culloden. His savage and bloody retribution policies after the battle earned him the nickname “The Butcher”.

“I hae been at Crookieden, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

Viewing Willie and his men, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie.

There our foes that burnt and slew, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

There, at last, they gat their due, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie.

Satan sits in his black neuk, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

Breaking sticks to roast the Duke, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie,

The bloody monster gae a yell, My bonie laddie, Highland laddie.

And loud the laugh gied round a' hell My bonie laddie, Highland laddie.”

https://soundcloud.com/words-of-burns/i-hae-been-at-crookieden