Bonnie Charlie facts for kids

"Bonnie Charlie", also known as "Will ye no come back again?", is a famous Scottish poem. It was written by Lady Nairne. The poem is set to a traditional Scottish folk tune. It tells a story about the time after the Jacobite Rising of 1745. This was a big fight that ended at the Battle of Culloden. The song is not a real Jacobite song from that time. Many songs about the Jacobites were written much later.

Lady Nairne's family supported the Jacobites. Prince Charles even stopped at her family home in 1745. Her father was sent away from Scotland the next year. But the family kept special items they believed Prince Charles had given him.

The song, especially its tune, is often used as a farewell song. It is sometimes sung with Auld Lang Syne. Usually, it is sung without any political meaning today.

Who is Bonnie Charlie?

The "Bonnie Charlie" in the song is "Bonnie Prince Charlie". He was also called the Young Pretender. He was the last serious person to claim the British throne from the Stuart family. After the Battle of Culloden, he escaped to Europe. Brave followers like Flora MacDonald helped him. The song celebrates his escape. It also shows the loyalty of his supporters. They wished for his return to Scotland.

The song makes people feel a kind of hopeful sadness. It's like longing for something wonderful that is hard to reach.

How the Song is Used

The song has long been a special Scottish farewell. When used this way, people usually sing only the first verse and chorus. It's similar to how Auld Lang Syne is often sung.

"Bonnie Charlie" has also been used for other important goodbyes:

• Canadians sang it for George VI in 1939.
• Australians sang it for Princess Elizabeth (who later became Elizabeth II) in 1946.
• Scottish people sang it for Elizabeth II in 1953.
• An Australian choir sang it for athletes at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics closing ceremony.
• American golfer Bobby Jones was serenaded with the tune in 1958. This was after he became an honorary citizen of St Andrews, Scotland.

With the rise of the Scottish nationalist movement, more verses of the song are often sung. These verses are strongly Jacobite. Singing them can show a wish for Scotland to be an independent country.

Musical Versions

Different musical versions of "Bonnie Charlie" exist. These include arrangements for choirs, like SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) and TTBB (Tenor, Tenor, Bass, Bass). The song's tune has also been used in other musical pieces. For example, organist Alexandre Guilmant used it in his improvisations. Composer James MacMillan also used it in a piano piece.

Song Lyrics

There are different versions of the lyrics for "Bonnie Charlie." These words are thought to be Lady Nairne's original ones. They come from a book of her songs published in 1869.

Bonnie Charlie's noo awa

Safely o'er the friendly main;

He'rts will a'most break in twa

Should he no' come back again.

Chorus

Will ye no' come back again?

Will ye no' come back again?

Better lo'ed ye canna be

Will ye no' come back again?

Ye trusted in your Hieland men

They trusted you, dear Charlie;

They kent you hiding in the glen,

Your cleadin' was but barely.*

(Chorus)

English bribes were a' in vain

An' e'en tho puirer we may be

Siller canna buy the heart

That beats aye for thine and thee.

(Chorus)

We watch'd thee in the gloamin' hour

We watch'd thee in the mornin' grey

Tho' thirty thousand pound they'd gi'e

Oh, there is nane that wad betray.

(Chorus)

Sweet's the laverock's note and lang,

Liltin' wildly up the glen,

But aye to me he sings ane sang,

Will ye no come back again?

(Chorus)

*Cleading means clothing or covering. This line likely refers to Prince Charles being barely hidden or having simple clothes.

Famous Performers

Many artists have performed "Bonnie Charlie":

• The Clancy Brothers on albums like In Person At Carnegie Hall
• Ewan MacColl on The Jacobite Rebellions
• Jean Redpath on Will Ye No Come Back Again: The Songs of Lady Nairne
• Real McKenzies on 10,000 Shots
• Jessie MacLachlan
• Kenneth McKellar
• Mad Jack Churchill