“Braes of Killiecrankie” is a song that talks about the Battle of Killiecrankie. The battle took place on July 27, 1689, during the first Jacobite rising. It ended in a decisive victory for King James VII of Scotland. The battle took place at the Pass of Killiecrankie.
During this battle, John Graham, known as Bonnie Dundee, was
killed. Ultimately, though, he led his army of men to victory against General Hugh
MacKay.
The tune of the song was written soon after the battle, but
the lyrics were written a century later in 1790. The song was written as an account
of the battle and focuses on themes of bravery, loyalty, and struggling for
freedom. The lyrics capture the emotions and experiences of the soldiers involved
in the battle, painting a clear picture of what went on during the battle.
The opening lines of the song paint a picture of
the landscape where the battle took place. This contrasts the beauty of
nature with the ugliness of war. The song continues and talks about why the
Jacobite soldiers were fighting the battle and their loyalty to King James VII.
Once the song gets to the battle itself, there is a sense of
urgency and mayhem. During the battle, the Jacobites fought in the darkness,
giving them an advantage and an element of surprise that aided them. Although
the Jacobites won, the song also notes the cost of war and those who died in
the fight for freedom.
The refrain of the song repeats key phrases, emphasizing the
themes of unity, determination, resistance, and resilience that were so
important to the battle. The battle itself is a key focus of the song, but
beyond that, the song highlights the impact of the battle on Scottish identity
and history.
“Braes of Killicrankie” is a tale of the battle, but it goes
beyond that. It is often used as a rallying cry for Scottish pride and a
celebration of Scottish heritage. It captures the spirit of the Jacobite
movement and speaks to the resilience of the Scottish people who have been
through so much. The song tells the story of the battle itself, but it
represents so much more.
Related Articles:
-Beyond the Song: "Bonnie Dundee": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/07/beyond-song-bonnie-dundee.html
-Beyond the Song: "Four Green Fields" by Tommy Makem: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-four-green-fields-tommy-makem.html
-Beyond the Song: "Grace": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-grace.html