Hielan Sodger (Trad.) - Highland Soldier



The Thin Red Line was an military action of the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854, during the Crimean War where Highlander infantry stood their ground against charging Russian horse-troops, and caused them to retreat.
Robert Gibb, The Thin Red Line, 1881, National War Museum, Edinburgh

General Michel Ney’s French cavalry  attacks the Highland regiments at Waterloo, June 18, 1815, only to be driven back by well-timed volleys.

Scots in Highland uniform enduring the rain before the artillery shells fall at The Battle of the Somme, July 1 - November 1916

The 51st Highland Division at the Battle of El Alamein, October 1942

Hielan Sodger (trad.) The author of the song is unknown. The song concerns the love of a girl for a Highlander called up to a military regiment to travel overseas. She determines to sacrifice everything and follow him.
The author of the song is unknown, although if anyone interested they can access National Library of Scotland; Broadsheet Ballad Entitled- The Highland Soldier
 origin https://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/view/?id=14920

Hielan Sodger

High up amang yon Hieland hills
There lived a canny maiden
She's gone oot ane fine summer's night
For to watch all the soldiers paradin'

Chorus:
And they looked sae braw as they marched awa'
The drums, they did rattle, and the pipes, they did blaw
Which caused young Mary for to weep and say
"I'll follow my Hieland sodger"

Ah but Mary dear, my wage, it is small
And what if in battle I should fall
I hae to gang hame to your Hieland hall
Think nae mair on a soldier laddie

(Chorus)

I hae twenty pounds in the store
And I hae a herd 'bout ten times more
I'll gie it to the laddie I adore
And follow my Hieland laddie

(Chorus)

High up amang yon Hieland hills
There lived a canny maiden
She's gone oot ane fine summer's day
For to watch all the soldiers paradin'

(Chorus 3x)

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