The Fiddler's Companion, Andrew Kuntz

Scottish (originally), English, American; Air, Jig and Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time, with an irregular measure in the 'B' part). England, Northumberland.

Robert Burns Original

O'er The Water To Charlie

Chorus:
We'll o'er the water, We'll o'er the sea,
We'll o'er the water to Charlie!
Come weal, come woe, we'll gather and go,
And live and die wi' Charlie!

1.
Come boat me o'er, come row me o'er,
Come boat me o'er to Charlie!
I'll give John Ross another bawbee
To boat me o'er to Charlie.

2.
I lo'e weel my Charlie's name,
Tho' some there be abhor him;
But O, to see Auld Nick gaun hame,
And Charlie's faes before him!

3.
I swear and vow by moon and stars
And sun that shines so early,
If I had twenty thousand lives,
I'd die as aft for Charlie!

(Note: -Charlie in the poem is Bonnie Prince Charles, who lost his crown in the 1745 rebellion.)

Over The Water To Charlie

Standard English Translation

Chorus:
We will over the water, We will over the sea,
We will over the water to Charlie!
Come well, come woe, we will gather and go,
And live and die with Charlie! 1.
Come boat me over, come row me over,
Come boat me over to Charlie!
I will give John Ross another half-penny
To boat me over to Charlie.

2.
I love well my Charlie's name,
Though some there be abhor him;
But O, to see Old Nick going home,
And Charlie's foes before him!