This is taken from the Web:
Highland Clearances
Strathnaver
A poem by Elizabeth MacKay, 1889
underline textDURING THE CLEARANCES
The sportsman now roams o'er the Sutherland hills
And down where the Naver runs clear;
And the land a brave race had for centuries owned
Is now trod by the sheep and the deer.
The halls, where our ancestors first saw the light,
Now blackened in ruins they lie.
And the moss-covered cairns are all that remain
Of the once pleasant homes of Mackay.
Happy homes by an alien's base mandate o'erthrown.
Tender maidens and brave stalwart men
Were ruthlessly scattered like leaves in a gale
Far away from their native glen.
Brave clansmen who fought in fair liberty's cause
In the lowlands of Holland they lie
For bravest in battle and second to none
Has aye been the Clan of MacKay
Not yet are they silenced though peaceful they lie,
And though far from the green mountain side,
They meet in the City of famous renown
On the banks of the dark flowing Clyde,
Where hearts still undaunted and beating are true
As when under a northern sky
They grasped their claymores when the slogan they heard
And followed the flag of MacKay.
Unflinching they bore the proud ensign aloft
When their foemen the penalty paid
And the same noble spirit inspires them today
Their broken clansmen to aid.
The aged and weak they have sworn to protect
By the "Strong Hand" and kind watchful eye.
For faithful in friendship and valiant in war
Has aye been the clan of MacKay.
Then flock to the standard and join the roll call!
Once more the banner's unfurled
The slogan's been sounded , and kinship been claimed
By clansmen all over the world.
Exiled or at home, love of country and clan
Are feelings we'll never let die;
Defy and defend, stand true to the end,
And honour the name of MacKay.
