A true story song about a Scottish grandfather
Singer-songwriter
I write, sing, play & record most instruments & vocals
Story behind the song
A true story song about a great grandfather of mine who was martyred because He wouldn't agree that the King of England was above God. He was called a "covenanter" in Scotland. A true story-song in the style of celtic folk !.
Lyrics
The Ballad of John Fleming
There was a man from Lanarkshire
John Fleming was his name,
Born & bred in Glasgow town
He didn’t like the change
Of law that said that the king
came before God,
So he spoke out & he said,
“the real King, hung on a Cross”.
The king of England didn’t like
Those Scots who disobeyed,
So he sent some spies up North
A traitor’s list was made,
John Fleming’s name was on that list
And sentenced him to die,
The king of England then decreed
“Time to hear some martyrs cry”.
All the Kings horses could be heard
From London to the north,
Those traitors who didn’t worship the king
This Earthly king, was sought,
They started hanging priests & shooting
Women while in prayer,
The blood of martyr flowing free
King Eddie, didn’t care.
Now it was John Fleming’s turn
At the Firth of Clyde,
So they tied him to a stake
When it was low tide,
To the crowd he yelled out
As the tide came in,
Breathing his last breath he said
“Jesus, is still the King”.
That was the man from Lanarkshire
John Fleming was his name,
He was a great grandfather of mine
I am proud to say,
Why was this man martyred
What message to us all,
“The king of England is just a man
But Jesus, is still Lord”.
