Taken from "Key Thompson" on YT (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdrCdyHnkEE):
Burns wrote or collected many songs about the Jacobite Rebellion.
This is unusual in that it is about the 'Old Pretender'. Not Bonnie Prince Charlie but his father James (VIII)
and (III); son of the deposed James (II). He instigated the Rebellion in 1715 but it was ill-planned and
ill led. This is a suitably sad song.
[Verse 1]
Dm C Am C
By yon castle wa' at the close of the day,
Dm Am Dm C Dm
I heard a man sing, tho' his head it was grey,
F C
And as he was singing, the tears doon came:
Dm Am Dm C Dm
'There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!'
[Verse 2]
Dm C Am C
'The Church is in ruins, the State is in jars,
Dm Am Dm C Dm
Delusions, oppressions, and murderous wars,
F C
We dare na weel say it, but we ken wha's to blame
Dm Am Dm C Dm
'There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!'
[Verse 3]
Dm C Am C
'My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword,
Dm Am Dm C Dm
But now I greet round their green beds in the yard;
F C
It broke the sweet heart o' my faithfu' auld dame
Dm Am Dm C Dm
'There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!'
[Verse 4]
Dm C Am C
'Now life is a burden that bows me down,
Dm Am Dm C Dm
Sin I tint my bairnies, and he tint his crown;
F C
But till my last moments my words are the same
Dm Am Dm C Dm
'There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame!'