Henry's Songbook

[1977:] Sometimes known as McLeod's Lament. This version was translated from the Gaelic by Scottish actor Roddy McMillan. After the defeat of Culloden the Gaelic language, the kilt and the bagpipes were suppressed. Only by joining the British Government's newly raised Highland regiments were the Highlanders able once more to don the tartan, albeit regimental. The scene of this song was often experienced during the days of the notorious Clearances. (Notes Alex Campbell, 'Traditional Ballads of Scotland')

[1989:] A song from the Highland Clearances of the early 19th century, when many young Scots went to fight in the armies in the Low Countries, in Germany, Belgium and Holland, and came back to discover that the landlords had realized that sheep on the land were much more profitable than small farmers. So these men lost their homes, often very cruelly, the houses were burned, and all their belongings were thrown into the snow. - The opening tune is called When the Battle's Over. (Intro Hamish Imlach)

[1989:] The Gaels (who have had very much longer to appreciate the joys of being considered a useless, disposable people) have [...] been re-examining their history and casting off the role of the romantic Highlander in the misty twilight of Celtic Scotland. Defeat after the 1745 did not result in their being admitted to the prosperity of the Empire - they were down-graded, their culture and language all but destroyed by Government action or by well-meaning missionaries or educators. Those who served the Empire in the British Army were not exempt, for while they fought abroad, their families were being driven into exile. (Olson, Music 144)

See also
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=13349
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39416