| The Campbells are coming is the pipe hymn of the clan Campbell, a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll. The Gaelic name of the tune is “Baile Ionaraora” (the town of Inveraray), place where stands the Campbell clan castle. It was composed around 1715 by a piper-composer inspired by a local wedding. |
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| It was known as a Whig tune and as such was played by the vanguard of the loyalist Scottish troops, many Clan Campbell, as they marched in opposition to the ill-fated Jacobite rebels of 1715 led by the Earl of Mar. It records that in 1716 each of three companies of Argyle’s Highlanders entered Perth and Dundee led by a piper playing "The Campbells are Coming". |
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It is said this tune neither played by the clan Cameron (hereditary Campbell’s enemy) nor present in their tunes’ register.
The popular dance tunes "Miss McLeod’s Reel" and "The White Cockade" are derived from “The Campbells are coming”. The cognates of "The Campbells Are Coming" also include "The Baldooser", “The Burnt Old Man”, "Campbell’s Frolic" and "The Field of Hay".
Country Dance
“The Campbells are Coming” was transplanted to American country dance tradition (also known as “Hob or Nob”). Scottish Country Dance Instruction about THE CAMPBELLS ARE COMING (J32) Progressive 2 couple dance may be find in RSCDS Book 24.
1- 8 All turn RH, face partner and set advancing to Balance-in-Line with Ladies in middle giving RH to each other and LH to partners
9-16 Ladies ½ turn RH into Ladies Chain ending back in original places
17-24 All dance RandL starting by giving RH to other partner
25-32 All Adv+Ret and dance on passing other partner RSh to face oncoming couple
Robert Burns took the start of a Jacobite song about the Campbells joining the fray
but then alludes to Mary Queen of Scots at Lochleven
Castle (where she was imprisoned in 1567). "Great Argyle" (a Campbell) was the 5th Earl
who rescued her from there.
The Campbells are coming Ho-Ro, Ho-Ro! The Campbells are coming Ho-Ro, Ho-Ro! The Campbells are coming to bonnie LochLeven The Campbells are coming Ho-Ro, Ho-Ro!
Upon the Lomonds I lay, I lay,
The Great Argyll he goes before,
The Campbells they are a’ in arms,
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Les Campbells arrivent Hourra, hourra ! Les Campbells arrivent Hourra, hourra ! Les Campbells approchent du beau lac Leven Les Campbells arrivent Hourra, hourra !
Depuis les Lomonds où je me prélasse,
Le 5ème Comte d’Argyll s’y rendit auparavant,
Les Campbells, tous en armes,
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Bonnie Scotland (Laurel & Hardy)
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WARNING: Those able to walk correctly in a pipe band are advised not to watch these pictures, from Laurel & Hardy walking to the rhythm of "The Campbells are Coming". The temptation to walk as Laurel is too strong and then, it is difficult to get rid of this bad habit. The author disclaims all responsibility ;-) |
