"Scots, Wha Hae ...!"
Robert Burns
(published in 1798, the unofficial Scottish anthem)
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, - wham=whom; wi'=with; bleed-истекать кровью;
Scots, wham Bruce has often led, - lead (led) - вести за собой;
Welcome to your gory bed - окровавленное ложе;
Or to Victorie !
Now's the day, and now's the hour
See the front о'battle lour, - темнеть, покрываться тучами;
See approach proud Edward's power - - come nearer;
Chains and slaverie ! - цепь, оковы; slavery - рабство;
Wha will be a traitor knave? - предатель, мошенник;
Wha can fill a coward's grave? - могила;
Wha sae base as be a slave? - низменный, подлый;
Let him turn and flee! - спасаться бегством;
Wha for Scotland's king and law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw - обнажить шпагу (меч);
Freeman stand or freeman fa',
Let him follow me!
By oppression's woes and pains, -притеснение, гнёт; -несчастье, горе; -страдание;
By your sons in servile chains, - рабский;
We will drain our dearest veins - осушать; - вены;
But they shall be free !
Lay the proud usurpers low ! - to lay...low = to defeat; - захватчик;
Tyrants fall in every foe ! - деспот, тиран; an enemy - враг;
Liberty's in every blow ! - - свобода; - удар
Let us do, or die !
Cultural Notes:
Sir William Wallace (1276-1305), the 13th century Scottish patriot, who defeated the English in 1297 but who was later himself defeated and executed.
Robert Bruce (1274-1329), the Scottish patriot, who in 1306 became King of Scotland, in 1314 defeated the English (Edward II).