My daughter’s high school theater group just finished a run of the play The Women of Lockerbie. Jill and I went to every show. Of course, a big reason for that was that Bethany was playing the central role of Madeline, the grieving mother. But we also went because the play is a great play, done in the form of a Greek tragedy, complete with a chorus, and Bethany’s theater group performed it so well. It is a wrenching, haunting exploration of grief, hatred, love and cleansing.

In the final scene, as Madeline and the women of Lockerbie washed the clothes of the dead, a recording of the song below was played. It’s heartbreaking and I thought I’d share it with you.

Whaur Dae Ye Lie?

Karine Polwart

Chorus:

Whaur dae ye lie, my faither?

Whaur dae ye lie, my son?

Whaur dae ye lie, my ain true love?

When will the truth be won?

Oor friends, they came tae protect us

Oor friends they bad us bide

Oor friends left us standing there naked

Wi nae place left tae hide

Oor neighbours, they came wi a hundred year hate

Oor neighbours, they came wi guns

Oor neighbours, they came for oor menfolk

An they slew them, everyone

I hae sought oot yer grave wi my mother

I hae sought oot yer grave in vain

I hae sought the bare banes o’ the truth and the men

Faither, whaur are ye lane?

I hae cried oot yer name tae the for winds

I hae cried oot yer name til the dawn

I hae cried in the arms o’ yer sister dear

Whaur dae ye lie my son?

I hae dream’d o’ yer breath upon me

I hae dream’d o’ yer yella hair

I hae dream’d o’ the sounds o yer dyin love

Whaur dae ye lie, my dear?