Bannockburn: Bruce to his troops

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