Declaration of Arbroath

Scrieve Fae Arbroath

Non enim propter gloriam, diuicias aut honores pugnamus

set propter libertatem solummodo quam nemo bonus nisi

simul cum vita amittit.

—Scrieve fae Arbroath (6 Aprile, A.D. 1320)

Arbroath! Sae lief tae the hairts o the free,

Foondstane o Scotland’s sovereignty

Birthgrund o aw man’s leeberty,

Dear as oor faithers’ bluid ye are tae me!

For we focht na fir glory, nor riches nor gain,

Whilk a man gaes nae ower except wi his life,

But we focht, to the soond o the drum an the fife,

For freedom alane.

I’ ane vyce we declared to Christ’s Vicar on yirth,

Oor Maist Haly Faither, that Scotland’s great worth

Wis her lue o Saunt Andrew, her patron and laird,

Saunt Peter’s guid brither, oor protaktour an gaird.

I’ ane vyce we declared that Laird Robert oor keeng,

Wears by richt Scotland’s croun, an true peace wad he bring,

That sae lang as ane hunder o us sall be livin

Oor kinrik to Edwart wad niver be gywyn.

But shuid Robert the Bruce oor great nation betray

An gree tae subject us tae Ingland ane day,

We’ll drive him awa, that he niver return,

Frae the Scotland we deed fir at auld Bannockburn!

Arbroath! Sae lief tae the hairts o the free,

Foondstane of Scotland’s sovereignty

Birthgrund of aw man’s leeberty,

Dear as oor faithers’ bluid ye are tae me!

For we focht na fir glory, nor riches nor gain,

Whilk a man gaes nae ower except wi his life,

But we focht, to the soond o the drum an the fife,

For freedom alane.

 Author’s Translation of His Scots Original.

Arbroath! Belov’d of the hearts of the free,

Foundation stone of Scotland’s sovereignty

Birthplace of mankind’s liberty,

Dear as my fathers’ blood are you to me!

For we fought not for glory nor riches nor gain,

Which a man does not give, except with his life,

But we fought, to the sound of the drum and the fife,

That freedom would reign.

In one voice we declared to Christ’s Vicar on earth,

Our Most Holy Father, that Scotland’s great worth

Flowed from love of Saint Andrew, her patron and lord,

Saint Peter’s good brother, our defender and guard.

In one voice we declared that Lord Robert our king,

Wears by right Scotland’s crown, true peace would he bring;

That as long as a hundred good Scotsman shall live

Our kingdom to Edward, we never would give.

But should Robert the Bruce our great nation betray

Or agree to subject us to England one day,

Then we’ll drive him away, that he never return,

From the Scotland we died for at auld Bannockburn!

Arbroath! Beloved of the hearts of the free,

Foundation stone of Scotland’s sovereignty

Birthplace of mankind’s liberty,

Dear as my fathers’ blood are you to me!

For we fought not for glory nor riches nor gain,

Which a man does not give except with his life,

But we fought, to the sound of the drum and the fife,

That freedom would reign.

Author’s Note

I would like to express my profound gratitude to one of Scotland’s finest poets, Mr. GEORGE T. WATT, the indefatigable defender of the Scots language, for his exquisite recording of “Scrieve Fae Arbroath.” My poem owes its existence to the SCOTS LEID ASSOCIE whose work has inspired poets of Scottish heritage throughout the world. I should like also to please encourage my readers to support the work of the Associe whose online platform may be found here: www.lallans.co.uk. Thank you.

Joseph Charles MacKenzie

April 6, 2020

© Joseph Charles MacKenzie. All rights reserved.