Bannockburn: Bruce to his troops

Key details

Archive number: NTS/02/25/BRN/02/91
Alt. number: 3.6249
Date: September 1793
On display: Yes
Creator: Burns, Robert (Author)
Recipient: Thomson, George

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Description

Bannockburn: Bruce to his troops. 2 leaves; "Bannockburn - Bruce to his troops - Tune, Lewis Gordon"; 6 four-line verses.

This is the second version of the Poem which Burns sent to Thomson on September 8th 1793 set to the tune Lewis Gordon having argued with him about which tune should be used. Burns had at first proposed a tune "Hey Tuttie Tattie" with which Thomson had disapproved. Later after Burns's death he changed his mind. (poem no 425)

In the first page Bruce reminds his followers of past battles, of Wallace and his own efforts, but now he calls them to do what they must to gain freedom from the English oppression. Those cowards who will not fight should go now he commands.

In these last two verses Bruce reminds his troops of their current bondage and the efforts which they must make against the tyrannical English invaders to gain Scotland's liberty or die in the attempt.

Burns had visited the field of Bannockburn (1314) near Stirling in August 1787 where he was moved to say a fervent prayer at the spot where Bruce's standard had flown. He set the poem to a tune which he believed Bruce's troops had marched to at the battle of Bannockburn. Another copy of this poem is in the collection see 3.6203

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