Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation - Traditional/Steeleye Span (instrumental/cover)

This is my attempt at playing the tune to Parcel Of Rogues as played by Steeleye Span. I gather the tune is actually Irish - The Boyne Water. The song is a poem written by Robert Burns lamenting the Act Of Union between Scotland and England in 1707. The Rogues were the members of the Scottish Parliament who were persuaded by English gold to vote for the act. I play it really slow like a dirge, in Open G minor. The song has been recorded several times the only version I know is by Steeleye Span, but it's also been recorded by Dick Gaughan, The Corries and The Dubliners, I believe, to name but a few.

Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame
Fareweel our ancient glory
Fareweel e'en to the Scottish name
So famed in martial story
Now Sark runs to the Solway sands
And Tweed runs to the ocean
To mark where England's province stands
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

What force or guile could not subdue
Through many warlike ages
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor's wages
The English steel we could disdain
Secure in valour's station
But English gold has been our bane
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

O would ere I had seen the day
That treason thus could sell us
My auld grey heid had lien in clay
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace
But pith find power till my last hour
I'll mak this declaration
We're bought and sold for English gold
Such a parcel o' rogues in a nation

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Parcel
• Of
• Rogues
• In
• Nation
• Traditional
• Steeleye
• Span
• instrumental
• cover

[NHbrisco]

I enjoyed this version very much. Such a great song. Jim Tozier also recorded a great instrumental version of this song. One of my favorites.

[LiteGauge]

@NHbrisco Thanks, I hadn't heard of Jim Tozier, now I'll have to go searching ;-)

[KellyJayMaeAid]

Nailed it! Love this style of play!

[LiteGauge]

@KellyJayMaeAid Thanks very much, this is definitely one of my favourites :-)

[xProudxIrishxGirlx]

you are wonderful. never seen guitar played in the way you do.. the way you play seems to convey the music in a particularly poignant way. beautiful song, wish i could put across emotion as well with my voice. best wishes x

[LiteGauge]

@xProudxIrishxGirlx Thanks very much, that's a really kind comment.

[LiteGauge]

@Lachlainn Thanks :o)

[Lachlainn]

You got the mood wonderfully.

[LiteGauge]

@ChomFa Thanks very much :o)

[ChomFa]

Great stuff.... I was looking for the lyrics of this song - as I badly quote it to many people and thought I should get it right - when I found your version. Simple, elegant and evocative. Well done, that man!