Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Back Again

Traditional

“Back Again” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 37 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

When Abercromby, gallant Scot,

Made Britain's faes to tack again,

To fight by him it was my lot,

But now I'm safe come back again.

The cannons didna Donald fleg,

I'd like to hear them crack again;

My fears were for my bonnie Meg,

Lest I should ne'er come back again.

Our leader fell,—so died the brave,

We'll never see his like again;

I was denied a sodger's grave,

For I am safe come back again.

It's true they've ta'en fvae me a leg,

But wha for that would mak' a maen;

Cheer up your heart, my bonnie Meg,

I've brought a leal heart back again.

And though the wound it carried smart,

And twitch'd me sair wi' rackin' pain,

Wi' honour's scars I wadna part,

Nor yet my leg take back again.

Cheer up your heart, since I am here,

Wi' smiles your cheek gae deck again;

Cheer up, my lass, an' dinna fear,

Your Donald's safe come back again.

Though mony a rattlin' blast has blawn,

There's plenty in the stack again,

My wee lock siller's a' your ain

Now sin' I'm safe come back again.

Now may the wars for ever cease,

Your heart nae mair to rack again;

And may we live in love and peace,

Sin' Donald's safe come back again.

But should my country call me forth,

Her freedom to protect again,

Claymore in hand, I'd leave the North,

If I should ne'er come back again.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Back Again”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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