Loch Lomond

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(Loch Lomond)

There is a famous Scottish folk song named Loch Lomond. Loch means lake, or sea inlet, and Loch Lomond is a lake in Scotland. There are different stories about the meaning of the song. The song refers to an uprising in the 1700s against England led by by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The English succeeded in putting down the uprising, and killed many of the rebels who had fought against England.

In one theory, the song refers to one of the rebels who is killed (and he will take the low road, beneath the earth) and one of whom lives and can follow the high road. Another view is that the song is sung by a young girl whose lover fights in the rebellion and dies. Another view is that the English chopped off the heads of the rebels and put them on stakes lining the most frequently-traveled roads, which would be the high road. Love the English. They have such a brutal and bloody history of oppressing people all over the world, yet they act like they are the most mannered folks ever to walk the earth. These rebellions were in the 1700s. A poem was written in the 1800s, and made into the song in the early 1900s.

The song is a favorite through generations, among nations, and to many different musical groups. It has been recorded and performed all over the world, including by the following:

- 1938, Benny Goodman performed the song with Martha Tilton doing the vocal. The audience loved it so much they demanded an encore.

- 1957, Bill Haley and the Comets, an early rock and roll group, performed a popular version which they renamed Rock Lomond.

1976 - Australian rock group AC/DC released their version and began performing it live during their concerts.

1980s - progressive rock group Marillon made their own version of the song and played it in a medley along with other traditional songs.

1995 - The Real McKenzies, a Canadian punk band, included their version of the song in their debut album.

2007 - Runrig, a Scottish folk-rock band, has been performing the song for over 25 years. They had a top ten version of it in 2007 released in connection with an aid for children concert.

- Dan Zane and Natalie Merchant did a version of the song on a Zane album.

- A Serbian band named "Orthodox Celts" recorded their version of the song.

Loch Lomond (Lyrics)

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love will ne-er meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomon'.

O you'll take the high road and I’ll take the low road
And I’ll be in Scotland before you
For me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomon.

Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep sides of Ben Lomon
Where in purple hue, the hielan hills we view
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.

(Chorus)

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 world knows not how we are grieving