DIASPORA: MA AIN TRUE LOVE EILIDH.

In 2014 Scotland will hold a referendum on independence from the UK. This historic occasion will be celebrated by many whatever way the decision goes.

As for those, like myself, living in many countries around the world who are descendants of the Scottish Diaspora which has its roots in the failure of the Jacobite Rebellion culminating in the massacre at Culloden Moor on 16th April, 1746, and the later Clearances and abject poverty of the 1800's, while we may all feel that deep inner need for independence as part of our psyche of our Scots heritage, we should remain neutral on the independence vote! It is the resident citizens of Scotland who will live with the consequences, good or bad, of the decision they make, which may include having to re-apply to re-enter the EU.
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"That which has been long denied is most mightily desired."

The following verse attempts to explore the roots many of us feel for our 'Homeland', and what calls us back, even if just to trace ancestry as a tourist.

Here I give you- love and commitment, war and defeat, history past and times present, but above all a hope for the future. This poem has its genesis with words spoken by my wife when we stood within the lines where Mackintosh Clan stood on Culloden battlefield prior to their valiant but futile charge on English bayonets and grapeshot.

"If we had lived in that time I would have seen you and our son go off to this battle and never return."

So what were the effects on the women and children left behind, the families that starved with no man to provide, or of the loss of leaders in the wee villages, the subsequent suppression of Scottish culture throughout the Highlands, and the deportation of Jacobite sympathisers to England's colonies in  North America?

In 2014 the cycle of history turns again.

Click on the photo to bring them up in large slideshow format.
All photos and verse by Jim McIntosh.

DIASPORA: MA AIN TRUE LOVE EILIDH.

Where ancient rock lanely and lichened

marks yon barrow mounded high,

there ma shattered bones are cold aneath,

and amang Clan Chatain's best I lie.

Freedom proved so ephemeral

'twas no for glory that we vied

but for our country, Clan, and family

that we fought, and for those we died.

Where the Highland Cat is stealthing
where the doe and stag do ply

there you'll find ma wraith a-flying

above the place we once did lie.

Amang purple heather and green bracken

deep within the Glen of Spean,

'twas on the brae of Beinn a' Chaorinn

when our bodies came together,

you grasped ma heart my bonnie lassie,

ma ain true love, Eilidh.

When you feel a wind on red cheek
and warm breeze lifts your golden curl

'tis ae fond kiss, ma tentie touch upon you:

'tis all I can give you now ma bonnie girl.

When purple flowers surfeit with honey

as the heather blooms once again

'tis there we'll seek again sweet nectar

of that elusive flower of Freedom in vain

Freedom cannae be found in these fair glens
it has long e're fle'en across the sea.

Now your lane a task of love I set you

to raise our bonnie wee boy bairnie

and bear him safely to the new country.

Raise in Freedom's embrace our boy bairnie

in your new hame across the sea

there my wraith will breeze you from above

and salve your aching spirit's need.

Will you do that for me, ma ain true love Eilidh?

DIASPORA: MA AIN TRUE LOVE EILIDH.

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