GCG
Oh, cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe,
GD
and covers the grave o' Donald.
GCG
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe,
CDG
and murdered the house o' MacDonald.
GDG
1. They came in the blizzard, we offered them heat,
DGD
a roof o'er their heads, dry shoes for their feet.
GDGEm
We wined them and dined them, they ate of our meat,
CDG
and they slept in the house o' MacDonald.
[Chorus]
GCG
Oh, cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe,
GD
and covers the grave o' Donald.
GCG
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe,
CDG
and murdered the house o' MacDonald.
GDG
2. They came from Fort William with murder in mind,
DGD
the Campbell's had orders, King William had signed :
GDGEm
Put all to the sword, these words underlined,
CDG
and leave none alive called MacDonald.
[Chorus]
GCG
Oh, cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe,
GD
and covers the grave o' Donald.
GCG
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe,
CDG
and murdered the house o' MacDonald.
GDG
3. They came in the night when the men were asleep,
DGD
this band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep.
GDGEm
Like murdering foxes, among helpless sheep,
CDG
they slaughtered the house o' MacDonald.
[Chorus]
GCG
Oh, cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe,
GD
and covers the grave o' Donald.
GCG
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe,
CDG
and murdered the house o' MacDonald.
GDG
4. Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe,
DGD
some fled in the night, and were lost in the snow.
GDGEm
Some lived to accuse him, that struck the first blow
CDG
but gone was the house of MacDonald
[Chorus]
GCG
Oh, cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe,
GD
and covers the grave o' Donald.
GCG
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe,
CDG
and murdered the house o' MacDonald.