 |
A Parcel Of Rogues | |
|
A Parcel Of Rogues | |
| Burn's bitterly
regretted the loss of Scotlands independence in the
parliamentary union of 1707. The 'Parcel of Rogues' are
the Scottish Commisioners who 'sold' Scotland, and in
Burn's view, reduced a nation to a status of a region. |
| SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES
IN A NATION Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame Fareweel our ancient glory! Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name, Sae famed in martial story! Now Sark rins over Solway sands, An' Tweed rins to the ocean, To mark where England's province stands - Such a parcel of 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 valours station; But English gold has been our bane - Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! O, would 'ere I had seen the day, That Treason thus could sell us, My auld grey head had lien in clay, Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace! But pith and power, til my last hour, I'll mak this declaration :- 'We're bought and sold for English gold' - Such a parcel of rogues in a nation! |