Note 190 — Chapter V
Reading edition
The Mackintosh’s Lament.—For the copy of the Mackintosh’s Lament here given, the editor and publishers are indebted to the kindness of The Mackintosh. In a note which accompanied it that gentleman gives the following interesting particulars:—
“The tune is as old as 1550 or thereabouts. Angus Mackay in his Pipe Music book gives it 1526, and says it was composed on the death of Lauchlan, the 14th Laird; but we believe that it was composed by the famous family bard Macintyre, upon the death of William, who was murdered by the Countess of Huntly, in 1550. This bard had seen within the space of 40 years, four captains of the Clan Chattan meet with violent deaths, and his deep feelings found vent in the refrain,
‘Mackintosh, the excellent They have lifted; They have laid thee Low, they have laid thee.’
“These are the only words in existence which I can hear of.”