Origin: I Will Go / Land of MacLeod

Subject: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:25 AM

Can anybody tell me---is there copyright restriction on the song "I Will Go" [As sung to bodhran by Ronnie Browne of the "Corries"?]

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:33 AM

Well a chap at my local folk club used to do it, way back in the 1980's, with no problems. Haven't heard it for years now! Thanks a bunch!! I've got to go dig out the tape and listen to it, it's going to squirrel all sodding day now!

LTS

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 04:15 AM

Yes - the popular version of the song - as sung by the Corries is copyright to Roddy MacMillan who added some lyrics to an existing traditional song.

Roddy MacMillan died some years ago, but the copyright will persist, I'm sure....

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 04:31 AM

on reflection - I think he was Roddy McMillan...

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 04:37 AM

I tried to do a Digitrad/Forum Search but I keep getting a proxy error.

I'm pretty sure this song has been discussed before...

Steven

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: English Jon
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 04:59 AM

"I will go, I will go when the fighting is over, to the land of McLeod where the mumble mumble mutter"

Don't know it, but my dad does. I'll ask him.

EJ

Subject: ADD: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: HelenJ
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:39 AM

I will go, I will go when the fighting is over
To the land of Mcleod where I left to be a soldier,
I will go, I will go (Refrain)

When the King's son came along,
He brought us altogether
Saying "Fine Highland men, you will fight for my father
I will go, I will go.

I've a buckle to my belt,
A sword in the scabbard,
A red coat to my back
And a shilling in my pocket I Will go etc.

(Not sure about next verses, but last line is
The lassies they were weeping.

When we landed on that shore
And saw the foreign heather ???

When we came back to our homes (land?
?,
The snow lay on the ground
And our houses they were burning.

Sorry that's all I can remember for the moment. Long time since I sang it.

HelenJ.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Amergin
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:12 PM

Here is a link to an earlier thread...there are others and the lyrics are in the dt....but I am just too lazy to drag them all up...

click here

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,rob kilshannig
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 05:09 PM

Lyrics & nice version can be found on "Keepers" of the McCalmans.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,rob kilshannig
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 05:11 PM

Lyrics & nice version can be found on "Afterhours" from Afterhours

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:49 PM

This song has been discussed here from time to time for some years, now.  The best way of finding earlier references is to do something like typing land of macleod into the very useful "Digitrad and Forum Search" box, which can be found quite easily on the main Forum page.  I will go works, too, and will also find you the entry in the Digital Tradition database, which the former will not do, since whoever originally entered it has insisted on the very much less helpful, and mis-spelt, land o'McLeod.  From time to time the Search facility goes down, but it always comes back; perhaps best not to post enquiries when you can't do a search first.

Lyr Req: The Land of MacLeod  Lyrics posted once, together with some discussion, much of it not terribly well-informed.

Info on Clearence song 'Land Of MacLeod'  with text of a Gaelic song on which the modern English-language text was probably based.  It should be noted that the final verse, which people always cite as "proof" that this is a song about the Highland Clearances, was made up by Roddy M[a]cMillan and is not in the original.  The English-language lyric is copyright, and will be for some years to come.  If you want to record it, though, paying the modest royalties should not represent any great problem.

Some very serious misapprehensions exist among people who have not studied history, about the nature of the Jacobite Rebellions and the Highland Clearances.  These have also been discussed here in some detail, though not always with much accuracy.

It's very kind of people to offer, or quote, lyrics; it is, however, not what Boab asked for.  It tends to be a good plan to read a question before trying to answer it.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 02:08 AM

Thanks, Malcolm! As you might guess, I could sing the lyrics backwards! No harm in some blathers, though; the name "Roddy MacMillan" in connection with the song was outside my knowledge, forinstance. Thanks to all who assisted/tried to assist. Our little bunch of celtic-country-bluegrass enthusiasts do indeed have a recording date coming up, and "I will go" was on the list of favs.. We will consider in the light of the info. received; thanks again. Boab

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,PeteBoom (at work)
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:30 AM

As Malcolm mentioned above - there is no evidence that supports the claim that this is a song about the Clearances.

There is a long tradition, however, on Skye and elsewhere, of service to the King. For a long time, the call to duty from the Chief was all that was needed to turnout the clansmen. By the late 1500's, the call was also sent out among the clans for service to the king. While the king in Sterling had little authority over the highlands and islands, the concept of a king was held in very high esteem indeed.

By the time of James VI, most of the clans had submitted to Royal Authority. Thus, when the call was made in person for men to join a regiment to fight for the King, many found the call too strong to ignore.

I'm not certain that the exact period matters all that much. In my mind's eye when singing this song, I see a young man being called to serve in one of the Scottish regiments serving in France for the House of Stewart, either against the Cromwellians or the House of Hanover. I'd chalked up the last verse (added by Ronnie) to returning home from the wars, with all that he'd left behind lost to him forever - whether in fact it is destroyed is immaterial. He comes back a changed man (as does everyone who has been in combat or battle) and still does not regret answering the call.

Now, back to work.

Pete

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: IanC
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:43 AM

Pete

What's all this about the Scots fighting for Charles I during the English civil war? They actually attacked the King's forces at the start and, at the end, were responsible for handing Charles over to Cromwell to be executed. Sorry and all.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,PeteBoom
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 09:30 AM

Ian - Highland or Lowland Scots?

The image of ALL Scots wearing the kilt, as well as a "unified Scotland", is myth. Pure and simple. Lowland Scots of the period would not have worn a kilt for any amount of gold. They also viewed highland Scots as shiftless, lazy and unreliable - rather like the highland view of lowlanders. Also, the seemingly American idea that all Scots are Presbyterian is an equal myth (that has a bearing on the topic). Scots also fought for and against the Jacobites in '15, '17 and '45. Americans who look at the US regional differences would be amazed at the chasm found in Scotland and elswhere for that matter.

That (lowland) Scots made up the bulk of the army that defeated Charles I is no surprise. That the Glorious Revolution (you know, the one that was "bloodless" according to the English history books) was a literal bloody mess in Scotland - particularly in the Highlands and Islands is also no surprise. Religion and old alliances aside - when it came down to it, many Highland clan chiefs took the view that if X is FOR something, they must be against it.

Sorry for getting on so, I keep running into people who associate Scotland with Dewar's whisky and bagpipes and kilts and nothing else. I sometimes overstate things (like the first paragraph which I'm to lazy to change) trying to make a point.

Did not mean to imply in the previous message that ALL Scots supported the Stewarts - some did stalwartly - some opposed them with equal vigor - some went either way depending on specific circumstance.

rmabled enough... back to test plans...

Pete

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: IanC
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 10:06 AM

Pete

I know that. Apparently, the highland Scots had little orno interest in the English Civil War and certainly very little at that time in the Lowland Stuart aritocratic hierarchy of Scotland. Do you have any evidence of Highland chieftains getting involved on the Royalist side? I know of none.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,PeteBoom (still at work, waiting for answers
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 10:20 AM

Stewart... Stuart - DOH! I knew that... Sorry - working with a guy named Stewart...

As far as I can tell, no major clan officially took took up arms for the Royalist. It seems some individuals went overseas after the matter was decided militarily, but no chiefs turned out before (not that it would have mattered in the long run).

I have this theory that Scots and Irish tend to support losing causes. Or, "Hey, its one thing to throw him in prison, but chopping his head off is going a bit far!"

;-)

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 10:23 AM

Yeah, well, when history meets folksong, history usually comes out the worse for the encounter. Poetic license and all.

The original song may not be about the Clearances, but the final verse clearly is.

So did Roddy McMillan translate it from the Gaelic, and adapt it in the process, including adding the final verse?

Pete said: >I'd chalked up the last verse (added by Ronnie) to >returning home from the wars, with all that he'd left >behind lost to him forever - whether in fact it is >destroyed is immaterial. He comes back a changed man (as >does everyone who has been in combat or battle) and still does not regret answering the call.

What I'm wondering, is there a final verse in the original version that leads you to your "no regrets" conclusion, which Roddy dropped in his translation? Just curious.

I did a recording of this song which I am quite proud of, but have not posted on the mp3 site due to the copyright restrictions.

W-O

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug At work
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 10:53 AM

I've always felt that the poignancy of the last verse, when followed by the chorus, is to give a darker twist to the last chorus.. to me, it has always given a bitter edge to the song, rather than being gung-ho, and relishing the prospect of war.

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,Barry Gray
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 10:03 PM

Could someone send me the words to "I WILL GO"

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: MMario
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 10:10 PM

Barry - if you click on the link above you will find them.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WILL GO / LAND OF MACLEOD
From: Teribus
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 06:35 AM

"I Will Go"

I will go, I will go
When the fighting is over
To the land of Mcleod
That I left to be a soldier
I will go, I will go (Refrain)

When the King's son came along
He called us altogether
Saying "Brave Hieland men,
Will you fight for my father
I will go, I will go.etc

I've a buckle to my belt
A sword in my scabbard
A red coat on my back
And a shilling in my pocket
I Will go, I will go etc.

When they put us all onboard
The verses were singin'
But a tear came tae their ee
When the bell started ringin'
I will go, I will go, etc,

When we landed on that shore
And saw the foreign heather
We knew that some would fall
And would stay there forever
I will go, I will go etc.

When we came back to our glen
The winter it was turnin'
Our goods lay in the sna'
And our houses were burnin'
I will go, I will go etc.

IanC:
English Civil War - "Do you have any evidence of Highland chieftains getting involved on the Royalist side? I know of none."

Most notable were the Highland Chiefs who followed and supported the Royalist Marquis of Montrose, who after some extremely succesful campaigns, was defeated at Philliphaugh (year 1648 I think). Montrose fled to France and returned to Scotland to continue the fight, he arrived back in Scotland in 1650 and was finally defeated and captured after the battle of Cromdale. Tried for treason he was executed in Edinburgh.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Teribus
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 06:58 AM

Some corrections to my posting above:

Philliphaugh was in 1645

Montrose was finally defeated at Carbisdale not Cromdale.

He was executed without trial at Edinburgh. After his execution his head, arms and legs were cut off and displayed on pikes in Edinburgh and four other Scottish cities. They remained on display for eleven years, only being taken down after the restoration in 1660.

The clans who rallied to fight with Montrose were the MacDonalds (Colkitto), the Stuarts and Robertson of Atholl.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: IanC
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 07:07 AM

Teribus

Thanks! :-)

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: breezy
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 08:30 PM

Geoff Higginbottom can be heard doing this with bodran, from miles away!Great Act.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 08:52 PM

Extra information not already given is always welcome. It gets a bit depressing, though, when an old thread is revived by somebody who hasn't bothered to read it, in order to ask for lyrics which have been posted here many times before, and which are clearly linked to in the thread that they haven't taken the trouble to read.

Even more depressing is the fact that well-meaning people who also don't seem to have read the thread they are posting to then post those same lyrics yet again. At least Teribus adds some worthwhile information, for which, thanks; though it probably is not relevant to the song.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WILL GO / LAND OF MACLEOD
From: vectis
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 11:35 AM

I sing it regularly, yes, with a bodhron accompaniment. Here are my words.
I Will Go

CHORUS
I will go. I will go.
When the fighting is over
To the land of McCloud
That I left to be a soldier
I will go. I will go.

When the King's son came around and called us all together
He said "Brave highland men will you fight for my father
I will go. I will go.

I've a buckle on my belt, a sword in my scabbard
I've a red coat on my back and a shilling in my pocket
I will go. I will go

When we went aboard the lassies they were singing
But a tear came to their eye when the bell started ringing
I will go. I will go

When we landed on the shore and saw the foreign heather
Well! We knew that some would fall and would stay there forever
I will go. I will go

When we got back to the glen the winter it was turning
Our goods lay in the snow and our houses were burning
I will go. I will go

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 05:40 PM

Malcolm, save your breath (or fingers) :-)!
BTW, it is definitely 'the land of McLeod', although it is pronounced to sound like 'MCloud'

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 08:53 PM

Well, yes, Susanne; you are certainly right. Just occasionally I still try to make these points, though I am pretty obviously wasting my time. One can always hope, even so, that a few people will take the point; though the most usual reaction is the typical egocentric "I can't be bothered to look at even obvious links, or read the thread I'm posting to, because I am too important for that; I'll just post the same old information yet again, and if anybody dares to criticise me it's because they are nasty people".

Can't win, really, of course.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Aodh
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 10:48 PM

Tha mo dhuil, tha mo dhuil, tha mo duil-sa ri tilleadh Dh'ionnsaigh duthaich MhicLeoid, far an og robh mi mire.

Och well here goes,

The Gaelic song makes no mention of any Clearances, as it is about the Gaels fighting "Na Frangaich" (The French) in the low countries during the Napoleonic wars,(1799). It belongs to the ilk of "O! Gum B'aotrom Linn An T-Astar" which was recorded by Capercaillie as "Bonapartidh"

Although many Gaels did leave Alba after the '45, either on there own accord or in chains "The Clearances" wouldn't start untill the new centuary.

Slan leat Aodh

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Raggytash
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 03:12 PM

The Clan McLeod has it spiritual home at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye. Address Dunvegan Castle,Isle of Skye IV55 8WF, phone [phone] I am sure they will have a web site, they are at presnt building a McLeod centre there

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 17 Jun 02 - 01:52 PM

Aodh, I posted the Gaelic lyrics at earlier thread Perhaps you could look at them at say if you have any different words other verses.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: vectis
Date: 17 Jun 02 - 06:37 PM

You asked about copyright. The words folks have posted show clearly that there are so many versions of this song that some of them will be minus copyright. You need to trace the origin of the particular version you asked about in order to establish its copyright status. If you want a non-copyright version then change it a bit and make it original.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Jun 02 - 09:13 PM

The fact that people have changed a few words does not invalidate copyright status, since in its English language form this is not a traditional song, but easily traceable to its (recent) author (translator if you prefer). I think I mentioned that earlier in this discussion. To change a few words in somebody else's work with the deliberate intention of avoiding paying the small, legitimate royalty due to them is little short of theft.

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 07:26 AM

It's not theft. It's "tradition".

Subject: RE: I Will Go [Land of McLeod]
From: Aodh
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 02:26 PM

Why not learn The Gaelic and do your own translation!