The Battle Of Culloden Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB AACC DDEF GGHI AAAA CCJJ KKLL KKMM MNOO CCPP QQCC MRSM MRKK MMKK MMMM KKKK KKKK MMTT KKKK KKKK MMUUUU| 'Twas in the year of and in April the th day | A |
| That Prince Charles Stuart and his army marched on without delay | A |
| And on the th of April they encamped on Culloden Moor | B |
| But the army felt hungry and no food could they procure | B |
| - | |
| And the calls of hunger could not brook delay | A |
| So they resolved to have food come what may | A |
| They poor men were hungry and in sore distress | C |
| And many of them as well as officers slipped off to Inverness | C |
| - | |
| The Prince gave orders to bring provisions to the field | D |
| Because he knew without food his men would soon yield | D |
| To the pangs of hunger besides make them feel discontent | E |
| So some of them began to search the neighbourhood for refreshment | F |
| - | |
| And others from exhaustion lay down on the ground | G |
| And soon in the arms of Morpheus they were sleeping sound | G |
| While the Prince and some of his officers began to search for food | H |
| And got some bread and whisky which they thought very good | I |
| - | |
| The Highland army was drawn up in three lines in grand array | A |
| All eager for the fray in April the th day | A |
| Consisting of the Athole Brigade who made a grand display | A |
| On the field of Culloden on that ever memorable day | A |
| - | |
| Likewise the Camerons Stewarts and Macintoshes Maclachlans and Macleans | C |
| And John Roy Stewart's regiment united into one these are their names | C |
| Besides the Macleods Chisholms Macdonalds of Clanranald and Glengarry | J |
| Also the noble chieftain Keppoch all eager the English to harry | J |
| - | |
| The second line of the Highland army formed in column on the right | K |
| Consisting of the Gordons under Lord Lewis Gordon ready for the fight | K |
| Besides the French Royal Scots the Irish Piquets or Brigade | L |
| Also Lord Kilmamock's Foot Guards and a grand show they made | L |
| - | |
| Lord John Drummond's regiment and Glenbucket's were flanked on the right | K |
| By Fitz James's Dragoons and Lord Elcho's Horse Guards a magnificent sight | K |
| And on the left by the Perth squadron under Lord Strathallan | M |
| A fine body of men and resolved to fight to a man | M |
| - | |
| And there was Pitsligo and the Prince's body guards under Lord Balmerino | M |
| And the third line was commanded by General Stapleton a noble hero | N |
| Besides Lord Ogilvie was in command of the third line or reserve | O |
| Consisting of the Duke of Perth's regiment and Lord Ogilvy's men of firm nerve | O |
| - | |
| The Prince took his station on a very small eminence | C |
| Surrounded by a troop of Fitz James's horse for his defence | C |
| Where he had a complete view of the whole field of battle | P |
| Where he could see the front line and hear the cannons rattle | P |
| - | |
| Both armies were about the distance of a mile from each other | Q |
| All ready to commence the fight brother against brother | Q |
| Each expecting that the other would advance | C |
| To break a sword in combat or shiver a lance | C |
| - | |
| To encourage his men the Duke of Cumberland rode along the line | M |
| Addressing himself hurriedly to every regiment which was really sublime | R |
| Telling his men to use their bayonets and allow the Highlanders to mingle with them | S |
| And look terror to the rebel foe and have courage my men | M |
| - | |
| Then Colonel Belford of the Duke's army opened fire from the front line | M |
| After the Highlanders had been firing for a short time | R |
| The Duke ordered Colonel Belford to continue the cannonade | K |
| To induce the Highlanders to advance because they seemed afraid | K |
| - | |
| And with a cannon ball the Prince's horse was shot above the knee | M |
| So that Charles had to change him for another immediately | M |
| And one of his servants who led the horse was killed on the spot | K |
| Which by Prince Charles Stuart was never forgot | K |
| - | |
| 'Tis said in history before the battle began | M |
| The Macdonalds claimed the right as their due of leading the van | M |
| And because they wouldn't be allowed with anger their hearts did burn | M |
| Because Bruce conferred that honour upon the Macdonalds at the Battle of Bannockburn | M |
| - | |
| And galled beyond endurance by the fire of the English that day | K |
| Which caused the Highlanders to cry aloud to be led forward without delay | K |
| Until at last the brave Clan Macintosh rushed forward without dismay | K |
| While with grape shot from a side battery hundreds were swept away | K |
| - | |
| Then the Athole Highlanders and the Camerons rushed in sword in hand | K |
| And broke through Barrel's and Monro's regiments a sight most grand | K |
| After breaking through these two regiments they gave up the contest | K |
| Until at last they had to retreat after doing their best | K |
| - | |
| Then stung to the quick the brave Keppoch who was abandoned by his clan | M |
| Boldly advanced with his drawn sword in hand the brave man | M |
| But alas he was wounded by a musket shot which he manfully bore | T |
| And in the fight he received another shot and fell to rise no more | T |
| - | |
| Nothing could be more disastrous to the Prince that day | K |
| Owing to the Macdonalds refusing to join in the deadly fray | K |
| Because if they had all shown their wonted courage that day | K |
| The proud Duke of Cumberland's army would have been forced to run away | K |
| - | |
| And owing to the misconduct of the Macdonalds the Highlanders had to yield | K |
| And General O'Sullivan laid hold of Charles's horse and led him off the field | K |
| As the whole army was now in full retreat | K |
| And with the deepest concern the Prince lamented his sore defeat | K |
| - | |
| Prince Charles Stuart of fame and renown | M |
| You might have worn Scotland's crown | M |
| If the Macdonalds and Glengarry at Culloden had proved true | U |
| But being too ambitious for honour that they didn't do | U |
| Which I am sorry to say proved most disastrous to you | U |
| Looking to the trials and struggles you passed through | U |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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