Lament
J.J. Johnson & Nat Adderley Lyrics
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Without a penny in my purse, to buy a meal to me.
It was na sae in the Highland hills, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Nae woman in the Country wide, sae happy was as me.
For then I had a score o' kye, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Feeding on yon hill sae high, and giving milk to me.
And there I had three score o' yowes, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Skipping on yon bonnie knowes, and casting woo' to me.
For Donald was the brawest man, and Donald he was mine.
Till Charlie Stewart cam at last, sae far to set us free
My Donald's arm was wanted then, for Scotland and for me.
Their waefu' fate what need I tell, right to the wrang did yield;
My Donald and his country fell, upon Culloden field.
Ochon, ochon, Donald, oh! ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Nae woman in the warld wide, sae wretched now as me.
The lyrics to J.J. Johnson & Nat Adderley's song "Lament" tell the story of a woman who has fallen on hard times. She has come to the low country without any money to buy herself a meal. She reflects on happier times in the Highland hills where she had a herd of cows and sheep that provided her with milk and wool. She was the happiest woman in the clan because she had Donald, the brawest man, as her partner. However, her happiness was short-lived when Charlie Stewart came and took Donald away to fight for Scotland's freedom. Donald fought and died in the war, leaving the woman wretched and alone.
The lyrics are poignant and emotional, conveying the sense of loss and grief that the woman feels. The repetition of the words "ochon, ochon, ochrie" adds to the somber tone of the song. The juxtaposition of the woman's past happiness with her current state of despair creates a powerful contrast that highlights the impact of war on individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I am come to the low countrie, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
I have arrived in the lowlands, feeling sad and lonely.
Without a penny in my purse, to buy a meal to me.
I'm penniless and unable to afford food.
It was na sae in the Highland hills, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Life was better in the Highlands.
Nae woman in the Country wide, sae happy was as me.
There was no happier woman in all the countryside.
For then I had a score o' kye, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
I had many cows that were grazing on the hill and providing me with milk.
Feeding on yon hill sae high, and giving milk to me.
The cows grazed on the high hill and gave me milk.
And there I had three score o' yowes, ochon, ochon, ochrie!
I also had many sheep that were skipping on the hill and providing me with wool.
Skipping on yon bonnie knowes, and casting woo' to me.
The sheep were playfully jumping on the beautiful hills and giving me wool.
I was the happiest of a' the clan, sair, sair may I repine;
I was the happiest of all the people, and I regret it deeply.
For Donald was the brawest man, and Donald he was mine.
Donald was the best man, and he was mine.
Till Charlie Stewart cam at last, sae far to set us free
But then Charlie Stewart arrived to help set us free.
My Donald's arm was wanted then, for Scotland and for me.
Donald's help was needed, for the sake of Scotland and me.
Their waefu' fate what need I tell, right to the wrang did yield;
Their unfortunate fate is well-known, they ended up on the wrong side.
My Donald and his country fell, upon Culloden field.
Donald and his country both fell during the battle at Culloden field.
Ochon, ochon, Donald, oh! ochon, ochon, ochrie!
Oh my dear Donald, how tragic. Oh how sad.
Nae woman in the warld wide, sae wretched now as me.
No woman in the world is as miserable as I am now.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Traditional Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind