My song, (c) 2012, about the Highland Clearances - The Highland Clearances (Scottish Gaelic: Fuadach nan Gàidheal, the expulsion of the Gael) was the forced displacement of a significant number of people in the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th century, as a result of an agricultural revolution (also known as enclosure) carried out by hereditary aristocratic landowners, such as the Duke of Sutherland. The changes were seen to be supported by the government, who gave financial aid for roads and bridges to assist the new sheep-based agriculture and trade.
There was mass forced emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies. The clearances were particularly notorious as a result of the late timing, the lack of legal protection for year-by-year tenants under Scots law, the abruptness of the change from the traditional clan system, and the brutality of many evictions.

Making a cover to go on a cradle
Mhairi sits quiet, her hands never still
She is a weaver, most skilful and able
While John works their wee bit of land with a will
But the tacksman has told them he'll soon be away
And he's warned that they've less than a year
For the Laird down in London needs money to play with
To sup with his English compeers

CHORUS:
Cape Breton, Ontario, or North Carolina
The reason you're sent there is clear
The Laird down in London needs money to play with
To sup with his English compeers

Oh, John he just laughs and he dries Mhairi's tears
For the Marquess would ne'er hurt his kinfolk, his clan
But he knows that his chieftain's not been here for years
People say that the city wreaks change in a man
When the baby arrives he quiets his doubt
And toils that they all may be fed
Comes the news that the folk down the coast were burnt out
And they look at each other in dread

Came factor and agents, impatient and rough,
When John made to fight them, they clubbed him right down
The last Mhairi saw of the house where she'd loved
Was the smoke and the flames as it burned to the ground
Herded like beasts they were forced on a ship
That the Marquess most generously paid
So he could turn over his acres to sheep
By transporting his kinfolk away

The barrels of water they drank from were clouded
And soon there was sickness amongst young and old
Six days out of port, her small body shrouded
John lowered their child to the dark and the cold
Now fair is the place they have here by the sea
And they've built a good life it is clear
But however rich this New World lets them be
The price that they paid was too dear

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