Digital Tradition Mirror

Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation
(Robert Burns)

Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame
Fareweel our ancient glory
Fareweel e'en to the Scottish name
So famed in martial story
Now Sark runs to the Solway sands
And Tweed runs to the ocean
To mark where England's province stands
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

What force or guile could not subdue
Through many warlike ages
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor's wages
The English steel we could disdain
Secure in valour's station
But English gold has been our bane
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

O would ere I had seen the day
That treason thus could sell us
My auld grey heid had lien in clay
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace
But pith find power till my last hour
I'll mak this declaration
We're bought and sold for English gold
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

The "rogues" concerned are the members of the Scottish parliament
who signed the Act of Union with England in 1707. A very powerful
song, but hardly suitable for a national anthem in my opinion.  JY

Recorded by Dick Gaughan; by Steeleye Span on Parcel of Rogues; also
     by the Corries and the Dubliners
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!