From a fortress renown'd through antiquity wide,
As the seat of the princes and chiefs of Strathclyde¹,
The name of the vessl's deriv'd, but her fame
From her stately apartments and swiftness we claim.
Chorus. Although her namesake long has held
Her station on a rock, [Note 706.2]
Now Dumbarton Castle through the waves, [Note 706.1]
Repels the tempest's shock;
Along the seas, though 'gainst the breeze,
We pass in little time,
And view the scenes renown'd in song,
By Ossian¹ sublime.
When or friends of the city impatient are grown,
For they're tiresome the bustle and smoke of the town,
We lead to where summer unfolds all her grace,
Where Fingal¹ and his heroes often join'd in the chace [sic],
With the skill of the rider that bridles the steed,
The vessel is made on its way to proceed;
Oft the speed of the wind in its progress is seen,
Yet it always a castle of safety has been.