Loch Lomond, Scotland

Ever hear that familiar tune…but not quite sure of the song lyrics or the origin of the song?  Well, take a listen here.  Hummmm… “the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.”

This traditional Scottish song was first published in 1841 in Vocal Melodies of Scotland (Roud No. 9598).  Although the original author of the song is unknown, one of the many interpretations of the lyrics alludes to the Jacobite Uprising in 1745.  Perhaps a prisoner awaiting death (the low road) is writing to a friend who lives (the high road). An old Celtic belief is that a person who dies outside his country will return in death (And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye).

Regardless of the meaning, the song has been sung by numerous artists over the years, and the familiar tune has been used countless times. Even the University of Notre Dame Marching Band’s baritone horn section plays the song at the beginning of every home game.

Lyrics

By yon bonnie banks an' by yon bonnie braes

Whaur the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond

Whaur me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

Chorus:

O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road

And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye

Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

'Twas there that we perted in yon shady glen

On the steep, steep sides o' Ben Lomon'

Whaur in (soft) purple hue, the hielan hills we view

An' the moon comin' oot in the gloamin’.

Chorus

The wee birdies sing an' the wild flouers spring

An' in sunshine the waters are sleeping

But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again

Tho' the waeful may cease frae their weeping.

Chorus

Loch Lomond

“Loch Lomond” in the song refers to Loch (or Lake) Lomond, a majestic freshwater lake in Scotland that crosses the Highland Boundary Fault.  It is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain and is part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park system.

The 25-mile long lake is narrow and deep at its northern stretch and bound by steep-sided mountains including Ben Lomond. Its southern end widens up to reveal an island-studded panorama.

The lake has over thirty islands, depending on the water level.  Inchmurrin is the largest, and Inchconnachan is home to a colony of wallabies.  Several of the islands appear to be crannogs, artificial islands built in prehistoric periods.

The Trossachs refers to the wooded glens that surround the lochs found in the area.  Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake popularized the area with tourists by including several place names in the poem.  Shortly after, he wrote his 1817 historical novel Rob Roy, whose exploits in the Trossachs led to the area being called “Rob Roy Country.”

Village of Luss, Scotland

 And speaking of the “bonnie banks” of the lake, look for the beautiful little village of Luss on the western shore of Loch Lomond.  A village has been in this location since medieval times and the pretty little sandstone and slate cottages complete with roses rambling up the sides of each one makes for a “bonnie” sight indeed.

Now if you’d like to see the big screen version of the song combined with stunning images of Loch Lomond, watch Legend of Loch Lomond which retells the story behind the song.  Originally set for IMAX, this short film (38 minutes) can be seen for free on Hulu (although it has several commercial breaks.)   It is also available on Netflix.