Flodden Song

Just when you thought it was all over for another year, here comes the Flodden Song, also known as 'Castrum Toon'*.

Words by R. Bell to the tune of 'MacPherson's Rant'

At 12 o'clock on Flodden Day
We leave for yonder battlefield
The Streamer heads three hundred horse
With Standard proud he leads.

Chorus
O' Castrum Toon, O' Castrum Toon
Ye'll aye be dear tae me
Though I've wandered far o' ower the world
My heart is aye with thee.

Across the bridge and ower the Tweed
The toon we leave behind
It'll no be long before we see
Yon monument sae fine.

Chorus

The piper plays a lament sae sad
Above the boggy Palinsburn
Where both nations men there they lie
And in peace we will return.

Chorus

O' Flodden Field, O' Flodden Field
Sae quiet and sae still
There never was such a bloody day
On yonder Branxton Hill.

Chorus.


*Castram is the old name for Coldstream, taken, allegedly, from the Latin 'Castrum' or fort. Hmm.

** Picture courtesy of the Flodden website (http://www.flodden.net/)