Hector the Hero

"Hector the Hero" is a classic lament penned by Scottish composer and fiddler James Scott Skinner in 1903. It was written as a tribute to Major-General Hector MacDonald, a distinguished Scottish general around the turn of the century. MacDonald, a friend of Skinner's, had not long before committed suicide after false accusations and charges against him.

As it is a lament, it is played slowly and sadly, often using instruments such as the violin, piano, guitar or bagpipes. It has been covered by many artists since its release, and is still reasonably well known today.

As it was written in 1903, the lyrics, by Thomas McWilliam, and music to "Hector the Hero" have passed into the public domain.

Lyrics

Lament him, ye mountains of Ross-shire;

Your tears be the dew and the rain;

Ye forests and straths, let the sobbing winds

Unburden your grief and pain.

Lament him, ye warm-hearted clansmen,

And mourn for a kinsman so true

The pride of the Highlands, the valiant MacDonald

Will never come back to you.

O, wail for the mighty in battle,

Loud lift ye the Coronach strain;

For Hector, the Hero, of deathless fame,

Will never come back again.

Lament him, ye sons of old Scotia,

Ye kinsmen on many a shore;

A patriot-warrior, fearless of foe,

Has fallen to rise no more.

O cherish his triumph and glory

On Omdurman's death-stricken plain,

His glance like the eagle's, his heart like the lion's

His laurels a nation's gain.

O, wail for the mighty in battle,

Loud lift ye the Coronach strain;

For Hector, the Hero, of deathless fame,

Will never come back again.

O rest thee, brave heart, in thy slumber,

Forgotten shall ne'er be thy name;

The love and the mercy of Heaven be thine;

Our love thou must ever claim.

To us thou art Hector the Hero,

The chivalrous, dauntless, and true;

The hills and the glens, and the hearts of a nation,

Re-echo the wail for you.

O, wail for the mighty in battle,

Loud lift ye the Coronach strain;

For Hector, the Hero, of deathless fame,

Will never come back again.

External links

• Skinner's original score, at University of Aberdeen
• video of the song