Loch Lomond

La lumière d'un instant céléste,

La sombre profondeur d'un Lac,
Une silhouette d'une montagne
Erigée, sculptée, patinée sans fin
A travers la nuit de temps..

Cherished by all Scots throughout the world. This beautiful, heart-lifting song has become the eternal call to the homeland of the Highlands.
It's said that during the second Stuart rising of 1745, two Scottish soldiers were taken prisoner at Carlisle. One of the soldiers was to be set free and the other was to be executed. The 'low road' is the spiritual road after death. He who takes the 'low road' will reach Loch Lomond before his companion, who takes the terrestrial high road across the Cheviot hills.

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes°          °hillsides
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomon'.

Chorus-

O ye’ll tak’ the high road, and I'll tak' the low road
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye
For me and my true love will ne-er meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomon'.

‘Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side o’ Ben Lomon'
Where in soft purple hue, the Hielan hills we view
And the moon comin’ out in the gloamin’.°                    °twilight

Chorus

The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping
But the broken heart, it kens nae second spring again
Tho’ the waeful° may cease frae their greetin'.               °woeful

Chorus

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There is another, less romantic interpretation of the origin of the song to be found here. 
 

Loch Lomond

Intro text and photograph © Mirino. Source- A Book of Scotland, (Collins) with thanks. 
July, 2011