Mo Ghile Mear has been discussed a couple of times previously on here:
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=14621.msg584827#msg584827Over the years there have been many discussions about this song....everyone has their own version and idea.
Here is one discussion :
http://www.daltai.com/discus/messages/12465/10383.html?968949636The basic facts are:The song is about Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prince Charles Edward Stuart) who was born in Rome in 1720, died in Rome in 1788.
It is sung by Ireland or Scotland, depending on who you ask.
Charlie was the grandson of King James II of England, who was defeated by William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
He was the hope of Scottish Jacobites, of Irish Catholics and the Jacobites in England.
Jacobites were people in Scotland, Ireland and England who wanted to restore the Monarchy to descendants of James II.
Jacobus is Latin for James.
Bonnie Prince Charlie was provided with arms and ships by the French, who hoped he would be their ally on the English throne.
He did not succeed, although he marched as far as Derby in England.
His troops were slaughtered at the tragic Battle of Culloden in 1746, after which Charles went into hiding,
and eventually to France where he had problems with drink and women.
"Will ye no come back again?" No, he never came back to Scotland....he was a big disappointment in the end.
Other songs about Bonnie Prince Charlie are:
"Will ye no come back again?" - here you see the wild Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vaRatJj1EQ&feature=relatedAnd the Skye Boat Song, about Charlie being taken to refuge on the Isle of Skye by Flora McDonald:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86egt8PDmosThe BBC made a good series about the Battle of Culloden, in 6 parts of you want the whole story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUc-_e6pdag&feature=relatedHowever, this classic bit of history from Billy Connolly sums it all up:
Warning - this is in typical Billy Connolly style and language!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcrJgtShNEA&feature=related