Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk
Song Meaning of “The Massacre of Glencoe” by The Real McKenzies
The Massacre of Glencoe, by The Real McKenzies, relates the tragic story of a real event in Scotland. The song is told from the perspective of the MacDonalds – a Scottish clan – as they fall victim to a cruel and unjust fate.
The song begins with a haunting backing of bagpipes, signifying the emotional implications of this event. The lyrics then tell of the MacDonnells being betrayed by their neighbors, the Campbells, who turned on them at the command of the King. The hatred and betrayal are evident in the imagery of the lyrics, such as ‘the raven black that filled the sky/holding so much sorrow in its eye’. The song then transitions to the climax of the tragedy, as the massacre of the MacDonnells takes place at night in the valley of Glencoe.
The song then ends with a reminder for listeners that such acts of hatred and cruelty are still present in the world today. The last line of the song is: ‘So never forget the words of the song/The massacre of Glencoe will last all night long’. This serves as a warning of what happens when people take things into their own hands and persecute individuals who are different from the majority.
Through a sad and emotional tune, The Massacre of Glencoe tells a powerful story of prejudice and hatred, and serves as a reminder that such acts still take place in our world today.