Glencoe
Steam Jenny Lyrics
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When the men were asleep
This band O' Argyles
Through snow soft and deep
Like murdering foxes
Among helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house of
MacDonald
O Cruel is the snow
That sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave O Donald
And cruel was the foe
That raped Glencoe
And murderd the house of
MacDonald
They came in a blizzard
We offered them heat
A roof o'er their heads
Dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them
They ate of our meat
And they slept in the house of
MacDonald
O Cruel is the snow
That sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave O Donald
And cruel was the foe
That raped Glencoe
And murderd the house of
MacDonald
They came from Fort William
Wi' murder in mind
The Campbells had orders
King William had signed
Put all to the sword
These words were underlined
And leave none alive called
MacDonald
Some died in their beds
At the hand of the foe
Some fled in the night
And were lost in the snow
Some lived to accuse him
That struck the first blow
But gone was the house of
MacDonald
O Cruel is the snow
That sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave O Donald
And cruel was the foe
That raped Glencoe
And murderd the house of
MacDonald
"Glencoe" is a song by Steam Jenny which speaks about the tragedy that took place at Glencoe back in 1692. The first part of the song tells the story of the MacDonalds who took in a group of strangers late at night during a snowstorm. The visitors were their rivals from the Campbell clan who had been given orders by King William to take down the MacDonalds. Although they were welcomed with open arms, they didn't show the same hospitality when they killed the head of the MacDonald clan along with dozens of people in the house, leaving many others to die out in the blizzard.
The chorus talks about the cruelty of the snow and the rape of Glencoe which symbolizes the brutal attack on the MacDonal clan. The second part of the song goes on to mention how some people survived the onslaught while others didn't but lived to tell how the massacre happened. The tragedy of the MacDonalds is later referred to in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
They came in the night
The Argyles invaded the MacDonalds' house while they were asleep during the night.
When the men were asleep
The Argyles took advantage of the fact that the men were in deep slumber to launch their attack.
This band O' Argyles
The Argyles were a group of invaders who were responsible for attacking the MacDonalds.
Through snow soft and deep
The Argyles marched through deep snow to get to the MacDonalds' house.
Like murdering foxes
The Argyles were extremely dangerous just like cunning foxes that hunt helpless sheep.
Among helpless sheep
The MacDonalds were helpless and were unable to defend themselves against the Argyles.
They slaughtered the house of
MacDonald
The Argyles destroyed the MacDonalds' house and killed their inhabitants in a brutal massacre.
O Cruel is the snow
That sweeps Glencoe
And covers the grave O Donald
The snow in Glencoe is very harsh and unforgiving that it covers the grave of the deceased and brings sorrow to their loved ones.
And cruel was the foe
That raped Glencoe
And murderd the house of
MacDonald
The Argyles were extremely cruel for invading the peaceful community of Glencoe, massacring the MacDonalds' family, and burning their home.
They came in a blizzard
The Argyles launched their attack on the MacDonalds during a heavy snowstorm.
We offered them heat
The MacDonalds tried to make the Argyles feel at home by offering them some warmth.
A roof o'er their heads
The MacDonalds offered the Argyles a safe place to stay during the blizzard.
Dry shoes for their feet
The MacDonalds provided the Argyles with some dry shoes to wear during the snowstorm.
We wined them and dined them
The MacDonalds treated the Argyles to a sumptuous meal and drinks.
They ate of our meat
The Argyles enjoyed the food that was prepared by the MacDonalds.
And they slept in the house of
MacDonald
The Argyles slept comfortably in the MacDonalds' home, which they would later destroy.
They came from Fort William
Wi' murder in mind
The Argyles came from Fort William and were intent on killing the MacDonalds.
The Campbells had orders
King William had signed
The Campbells received orders to attack the MacDonalds from King William himself.
Put all to the sword
These words were underlined
A clear order was given to the Argyles to massacre the MacDonalds and spare no one.
And leave none alive called
MacDonald
The Argyles were instructed to kill any MacDonald they came across, leaving none alive.
Some died in their beds
At the hand of the foe
Some MacDonalds were killed while asleep in their beds by the Argyles.
Some fled in the night
And were lost in the snow
Some MacDonalds were lucky enough to escape during the night but got lost in the harsh snowstorm.
Some lived to accuse him
That struck the first blow
Some sole survivors of the attack were able to identify the first attacker who dealt the fatal blow.
But gone was the house of
MacDonald
The attack left the MacDonalds' family dead, and their home was destroyed beyond repair.
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.