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Orananaoig, or The Song of Death


Farewell, thou fair day; thou green earth; and ye skies, Now gay with the broad setting sun! Farewell, loves and friendships, ye dear tender ties! Our race of existence is run. Thou grim king of terrors, thou life's gloomy foe, Go frighten the coward and slave! Go teach them to tremble, fell tyrant! but know, No terrors hast thou to the Brave. Thou strik'st the dull peasant, he sinks in the dark, Nor saves e'en the wreck of a name: Thou strik'st the young hero, a glorious mark! He falls in the blaze of his fame. In the field of proud honor, our swords in our hands, Our King and our Country to save, While victory shines on Life's last ebbing sands, O! who would not die with the Brave!

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John Cairney

About this work

This is a song by Robert Burns. It was written in 1791 and is read here by John Cairney.

More about this song

In 1791, Burns sent 'Orananoig, or, The song of death' to his friend and patron Mrs Frances Anna Dunlop (1730-1815) flattering that, as descendant of William Wallace (her father was Sir Thomas Wallace and the family were very proud of the connection) and the mother of several soldiers, she would appreciate the sentiment.

The verses later appeared in James Johnson's Scots Musical Museum in 1792.

Pauline Mackay

Themes for this song

deathwar

Selected for 22 July

Robert Burns died on July 21st, 1796 so this 'song of death' seems appropriate for the day after the anniversary of his demise. It was on the 22nd of July, 1298 that the English army under Edward 1, 'Hammer of the Scots', defeated the forces of William Wallace at Falkirk. The lament was presented to a confidante and champion of its author, who fancied herself a descendant of Wallace.

Donny O'Rourke

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