[Verse 1]
And cam' ye frae the Hielans man
Cam' ye a' the wey?
Saw ye MacDonald and a' his men
As they cam' in frae Skye?

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 2]
And cam' ye near and near eneuch
Did ye their numbers see?
Come tell to me John Hielanman
What might their numbers be?

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 3]
Well I cam' in by the Garioch land
Doon by Nether Ha'
I saw MacDonald and a' his men
A-marching tae Harlaw
[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 4]
The Hielanmen with their long swords
Fell in at us fu' sair
And they drave back wir Lawlanmen
Three acres breadth or mair

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 5]
Lord Forbes tae his brother did say:
"O, brother, dinnaye see?
They've drave us back on ilka side
And we'll be forced tae flee!"

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 6]
"Oh no, no, no, my brother dear
This thing it maunna' be
Ye'll tak yer guid sword in yer haun'
An' ye'll gan' in wi' me!"
[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 7]
The first blow that Lord Forbes struck
The sword ran in, in hale
The second blow Lord Forbes struck
The great MacDonald fell

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Verse 8]
Sic a cry frae among the Hielanmen
When ye see their leader fa'
They cairtit him and buirit him
Along by fair Harlaw

[Chorus]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae

[Instrumental]
[Verse 9]
Gin anyun' should spier at ye
For them that's gone awa'
Just tell them plain an' unco plain
They're sleepin' at Harlaw

[Outro]
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae
Wey a diddum a-do and a dree and a drum
Diddum de-droo drum drae