Caledonia – a song for Scotland?
A comment on one of my recent posts has led me to consider the question of the national anthem of a future Scotland, cut free of the Westminster parliament. When sport embraced ‘Flower of Scotland’ it did so because we were all sick and tired of ‘Scotland the Brave’, and also because it’s a damn good song, especially the bit about ‘Proud Edward’s army’. The new Scotland, though, as a nation might want to look a little further beyond its borders, so the lyric would probably not be appropriate.
So, here and now, let me initiate the second independence debate, on our choice of national tune. To kick things off I propose the obvious, that we adopt Dougie MacLean’s ‘Caledonia‘. It’s a damn nice melody, easy to sing, and the sentiments do the job perfectly. We might leave out the verse about kissing the ladies and leaving them crying, but otherwise, that’s the one for me. Any other suggestions? (By the way, Dougie has to sing it at the independence ceremony, but it would be nice if he could duet with Frankie Miller.)
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How about Scotland Yet – the original version as you wouldn’t appreciate Davy Steele’s.
Gae, bring my guid auld harp ance mair,
Gae, bring it free and fast;
For I maun sing anither sang
Ere a’ my glee be past.
And trow ye as I sing, my lads,
The burden o’t shall be,
Auld Scotland’s howes, and Scotland’s knowes,
And Scotland’s hills for me;
I’ll drink a cup to Scotland yet,
Wi’ a’ the honours three.
The heath waves wild upon her hills,
And foaming frae the fells,
Her fountains sing o’ freedom still
As they dance down the dells.
And weel I lo’e the land, my lads,
That’s girded by the sea;
Then Scotland’s dales, and Scotland’s vales,
And Scotland’s hills for me;
I’ll drink a cup to Scotland yet,
Wi’ a’ the honours three.
Alternative version which I quite like!!!)
Gie noo a thocht to what we hae in this land o’ the leal
The Highland glen, the Doric stream the fertile Lowland field
They seem tae offer different views when looked at from within
Can strangers be the only eyes to see it a’ as yin
Chorus
The choice will be upon us soon tae set oor destiny
I’ll drink a toast tae Scotland yet whatever yet may be
Oor mither tongue spoke different weys that past tae present ties
Each separate and yet entwined that’s where oor real strength lies
For should one strand unwind itself the others tae forsake
Then a’ would be forever lost fur a’ the strands would break
While we still seek to blame oor woes and pains on someone else
We’ll never have the strength tae solve oor problems for ourselves
In truth we fought each other mair learn this from oor past
Then together we can choose fur oorsells at last
God forbid. I stand by Caledonia.
Dougie MacLean has already augmented his kiss the ladies line, btw.
I’d also say Freedom Come a’ Ye would be a contender, as well as Hermless by Michael Marra (written as an alternative Scottish anthem).
I also like the words for Scotland the Brave by Cliff Hanley a lot, and think it’s a pity everybody is sick of hearing the tune on the bagpipes.
It has to be the Freedom Come All Ye. It’s uniquely Scottish, but also international and peaceful. And, all right, a wee bit Socialist.