According to James Hogg, in whose "Jacobite Relics" this song is printed, the text depicts the state of the Jacobite and Whig armies at the time immediately prior to the battle of Sheriffmuir (1715), and was probably a song of the period.
Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum, Aikendrum? Ken ye how a Whig can fight, Aikendrum? He can fight the hero bright with his heels and armour light And the wind of heavenly night, Aikendrum, Aikendrum Is not Rowley in the right, Aikendrum?
Did ye hear o' Sunderland, Aikendrum, Aikendrum? Did ye hear o' Sunderland, Aikendrum? That man o' high command, who has sworn to clear the land He has vanished from our strand, Aikendrum, Aikendrum Or the eel has ta'en the sand, Aikendrum
Donald's running round and round, Aikendrum, Aikendrum Donald's running round and round, Aikendrum But the chief cannot be found, and the Dutchmen they are drowned And King Jamie he is crowned, Aikendrum, Aikendrum But the dogs will get a stound, Aikendrum
We have heard o' Whigs galore, Aikendrum, Aikendrum We have heard o' Whigs galore, Aikendrum But we've sought the country o'er, with cannon and claymore And still they are before, Aikendrum, Aikendrum We may seek forever more, Aikendrum