As I came in by Dunideer an doon by Netherhaw
There were fifty thoosand heilan men a marchin tae Harlaw
For we went on an further on and doon by Balquhain
Oh it’s there I saw Sir James the Rose and wi him John the Graeme
Chorus
Singin diddy ay o an a fal an doe
and a diddy aye o aye ay
And did ye cam frae the heilans man and did ye cam ah the wey
And ye see MacDonalds and his men as they cam doon frae Skye
For a cam frae the heilans man and I cam ah the wey
And I saw MacDonald and his men and they marched dood frae Skye
Wis ye near and near eneuch and did their numbers see
Cam tell tae me ye heilan man what might their numbers be
I was near and near eneuch and I their numbers saw
There were fifty thousand heilan men a marchin tae Harlaw
Gin that be true says James the Rose we’ll no cam muckle speed
we’ll cry upon wir merry men and turn wir horse’s heid
Oh na o na says John the Graeme this can never be
The gallant Greames wis nivver beat we’ll try fit we can dai
Lord Forbes tae his brither did say “noo brither can’t ye see
They’ve beaten us back an ilka side and we’ll be forced tae flee”
“Oh na, o na” says John the Graeme “This thing will nivver be”
“ Ye’ll take yer gid sword in yer hand and ye’ll gang in we me”
Them that was brothers brave went in amongst the thrang
They swathed doon the heilan men wi swords baith sharp and lang
An’ the firstan stroke that the Forbes struck, he gart MacDonald reel
an’ the neistan stroke that Forbes struck , the brave MacDonald fell.
When the cry among the heilan men when they saw their leader fa
And when they saw that he wis dead they turned and ran awa.