"Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled"

The construction noise from next door woke me up very early again today. As I had no where to be (though there were things I could have done around the house), I decided to do some knitting and watch Braveheart. As a result, I'm in a very Scottish mood.

So, here is a poem on the subject, by the great Robbie Burns (visit Burns Country for translations and more):

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to Victorie!

Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power-
Chains and Slaverie!

Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a Slave?
Let him turn and flee!

Wha, for Scotland's King and Law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Free-man stand, or Free-man fa',
Let him on wi' me!

By Oppression's woes and pains!
By your Sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!

Lay the proud Usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow!-
Let us Do or Die!

Gives me chills! I have had this book, Sir William Wallace, for a few years and am thinking of reading it finally (I have lots of books!). Having chiefly studied English history, I was always under the impression that William Wallace was some sort of barbarian. Rather, he was a sort of Ethan Allen, sort of like Benjamin Martin in the other Mel Gibson movie (which I also love), The Patriot.

Do you have any favorite Mel Gibson movies? How about movies set in Scotland? I so long to visit there someday. And, it doesn't hurt that this man is also from the land of Scots. (On a related note, GB is set to play RB in this. Hopefully they will film it sometime soon!)

(Crossposted at A Lady's Ruminations)

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