This is a sad Jacobite song.

Bonnie Prince Charlie has escaped from Scotland after the 1745 Rising and is safe in France. The Highland Scots who fought for him and sheltered him in secret after the terrible battle of Culloden, even though big rewards were offered for him, wish he would return again.

But the song was written at least 30 years later than the events it describes.

Bonnie Charlie's now awa'
Safely owre the friendly main;
Mony a heart will break in twa,
Should he ne’er come back again.

Will ye no come back again?
Will ye no come back again?
Better lo'ed ye canna be,
Will ye no come back again?

Ye trusted in your Hieland men,
They trusted you, dear Charlie.
They kent your hidin' in the glen,
Your cleadin was but barely.

English bribes were aa in vain,
An e’en tho puirer we may be;
Siller canna buy the heart
That beats aye for thine and thee.

Sweet’s the laverock’s note and lang,
Lilting wildly up the glen;
But aye to me he sings ae sang,
Will ye no come back again?

'Will Ye No Come Back Again?', performed by the Drambuie Kirkliston Pipe Band From The King Has Landed (Songs Of The Jacobite Risings) (CD), CDTRAX234 (August 2002), Greentrax Recordings.