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