High Germany

Woe be to the orders

That took my love away

And woe be to the cruel cause

That bid my tears to fall

Woe be to the bloody wars of high Germany

They have taken my love and left a broken heart to me



The drum beat in the morning

Before the break of day

The small wee fife played loud and clear

While yet the morn was gray

And aye, the bonny flag unfurled

'Twas a gallant sight to see

Woe to me, my soldier lad was marched to Germany



Long, long is the traveling

To the bonny pier of Lieth

And bleak it was to gang there

With a snowstorm in your teeth

And aye, the wind blew sharp and strong

And a tear rose in my eyne

I gang there to see my love embark for Germany



As I gazed over the cruel, cruel sea

For as long as could be seen

The wee small sails upon the ship

My own true love was in

And aye, the wind blew sharp and strong

And the ship sailed speedily

Cruel the raging wars have torn my bonny boy from me



Woe be to the orders

That took my love away

And woe be to the cruel cause

That bid my tears to fall

Woe be to the bloody wars of high Germany

They have taken my love and left a broken heart to me