My name is Jamie Raeburn, frae Glasgow toon I came
My place and habitation I’m forced to leave wi’ shame
From my place and habitation I now mun gang awa’
Far frae the bonnie hills and dales o’ Caledonia

It was early one mornin’ just by the break o day
We were wakened by the turnkey who unto us did say
"Arise ye hapless convicts, arise ye ane and a’,
This is the day ye are to stray from Caledonia."

We all arose put on our clothes, our hearts were full of grief
Our friends who a’ stood round the coach, could grant us no relief
Our parents wives and sweethearts, their hearts were broke in twa,
To see us leave the hills and dales o’ Caledonia.

Farewell my aged mother, I’m vexed for what I’ve done,
I hope none will cast up to you the race that I have run
I hope God will protect you when I am far awa,
Far from the bonnie hills and dales o’ Caledonia

Farewell my honest father, you are the best o’ men,
And likewise my own sweetheart, young Catherine is her name,
Nae mair we’ll walk by Clydes clear stream or by the Broomielaw
For I must leave the hills and dales of Caledonia

SONG LIBRARY

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