fought on the 28th November, 1666; a day still observed by the scattered remnant of the Cameronian sect, who regularly hear a field-preaching upon the field of battle.
"I am obliged for a copy of the ballad to Mr. Livingston of Airds, who took it down from the recitation of an old woman residing on his estate.
"The gallant Grahams, mentioned in the text, are Graham of Claverhouse's horse." Scott.
The gallant Grahams cam from the west,
Wi' their horses black as ony craw;
The Lothian lads they marched fast,
To be at the Rhyns o' Gallowa.
Betwixt Dumfries town and Argyle,5
The lads they marched mony a mile;
Souters and tailors unto them drew,
Their covenants for to renew.
The Whigs, they, wi' their merry cracks,
Gar'd the poor pedlars lay down their packs;10
But aye sinsyne they do repent
The renewing o' their Covenant.
At the Mauchline muir, where they were review'd,
Ten thousand men in armour show'd;
But, ere they came to the Brockie's burn,15
The half of them did back return.
General Dalyell, as I hear tell,
Was our lieutenant-general;
And Captain Welsh, wi' his wit and skill,
Was to guide them on to the Pentland hill.20
General Dalyell held to the hill,
Asking at them what was their will;
And who gave them this protestation,
To rise in arms against the nation?