Gathering Song of Donald the Black
Gathering Song of Donald the Black - meaning Summary
A Clan's Martial Summons
This poem is a dramatic, communal call to arms addressed to Clan Donald. It summons men from glens, mountains, farms, and households to abandon daily duties and gather armed for battle. The voice urges rapid, unified movement across social ranks—chieftains, tenants, pages—using natural and martial imagery to heighten urgency. The closing repeats the pibroch motif, turning the bagpipe’s cry into a signal and a ritual knell for the impending onset.
Read Complete AnalysesPibroch of Donuil Dhu Pibroch of Donuil Wake thy wild voice anew, Summon Clan Conuil! Come away, come away, Hark to the summons! Come in your war-array, Gentles and commons. Come from deep glen, and From mountain so rocky; The war-pipe and pennon Are at Inverlocky. Come every hill-plaid, and True heart that wears one, Come every steel blade, and Strong hand that bears one. Leave untended the herd, The flock without shelter; Leave the corpse uninterr’d, The bride at the altar; Leave the deer, leave the steer, Leave nets and barges: Come with your fighting gear, Broadswords and targes. Come as the winds come, when Forests are rended, Come as the waves come, when Navies are stranded: Faster come, faster come, Faster and faster, Chief, vassal, page and groom, Tenant and master! Fast they come, fast they come; See how they gather! Wide waves the eagle plume Blended with heather. Cast your plaids, draw your blades, Forward each man set! Pibroch of Donuil Dhu Knell for the onset!
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