Macgregor's Gathering Poem by Sir Walter Scott

Macgregor's Gathering

Rating: 3.5


The moon's on the lake, and the mist's on the brae,
And the Clan has a name that is nameless by day;
Then gather, gather, gather Grigalach!
Gather, gather, gather Grigalach!

Our signal for fight, that from monarchs we drew,
Must be heard but by night in our vengeful haloo!
Then haloo, Grigalach! haloo, Grigalach!
Haloo, haloo, haloo, Grigalach!

Glen Orchy's proud mountains, Coalchuirn and her towers,
Glenstrae and Glenlyon no longer are ours;
We're landless, landless, landless, Grigalach!
Landless, landless, landless, Grigalach!

But doom'd and devoted by vassal and lord,
MacGregor has still both his heart and his sword!
Then courage, courage, courage, Grigalach!
Courage, courage, courage, Grigalach!

If they rob us of name, and pursue us with beagles,
Give their roofs to the flame, and their flesh to the eagles!
Then vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, Grigalach!
Vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, Grigalach!

While there's leaves in the forest, and foam on the river,
MacGregor despite them, shall flourish for ever!
Come then Grigalach, come then Grigalach,
Come then, come then, come then Grigalach!

Through the depths of Loch Katrine the steed shall career,
O'er the peak of Ben Lomond the galley shall steer,
The rocks of Craig-Royston like icicles melt,
Ere our wrongs be forgot, or our vengeance unfelt!
Then gather, gather, gather Grigalach!
Gather, gather, gather Grigalach!

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Teresa Gregg 25 July 2009

The Macgregor clan was outlawed.Using the name was illegal and anyone caught using the name or helping a Macgregor were killed on the spot..'MacGregor, despite them, shall flourish for ever! ....wonderful!

8 1 Reply
Kevin Straw 25 July 2009

I presume this poem is about the Scottish clearances. A fair amount of it needs explanation.

4 1 Reply
Jazmine W. 25 July 2005

This poem seems more like a song but then again what poem doe'snt i admire the creativity and repitition skills in this piece. Its definetly a new way to look at a situation.

4 0 Reply
George White 17 August 2005

This wonderful poem was put to music by composer Alexander Lee, copyrighted 1911.

3 0 Reply
Bill Wright 05 September 2016

What a wonderful historical poem, I had to google Grigalach to find out that it was a nickname or familiar name for the McGregors. This is an inspiring read.

1 0 Reply
Kevin Patrick 25 July 2013

Wonderful read, would make a wonderful song to sing at a pub, it has all the best elements of the romantic, passionate, spirited, adventurous and mad cap gallantry. A lovely poem of the day

3 0 Reply
Carlos Echeverria 25 July 2012

Nationalism is in our bones, resonating at the slightest touch of an inspirational leader.

1 1 Reply
Joseph Poewhit 25 July 2010

You can feel the intensity of the group. Righting the wrongs of Kings & Lords. Or vise versa maybe they were criminals. Just need Robin Hood to make it right.

1 2 Reply
Ramesh T A 25 July 2010

This is surely a Chivalrous Age poetic song by Sir Walter Scott! His novel, Ivan Hoe nobody can forget!

1 0 Reply
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Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott

Edinburgh / Scotland
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