Highland Cathedral

"Highland Cathedral"
Song
Released	1982
Composer	Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb

This article is about a piece of music. For the church popularly known by this name, see St Columba Church of Scotland, Glasgow.

Highland Cathedral is a popular melody for the great highland bagpipe.

This melody was composed by German musicians Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb in 1982 for a Highland games held in Germany. It has been proposed as the Scottish national anthem to replace unofficial anthems Scotland the Brave and/or Flower of Scotland. It has subsequently undergone various orchestrations and had lyrics added in English and in Scottish Gaelic.

The tune was the Royal Hong Kong Police Anthem under British rule which ended in 1997. It was played at a ceremonial lowering of the Governor's flag at Chris Patten's residence, Government House on the last day of British rule. Highland Cathedral is Chris Patten's favourite pipe tune as said by himself on a BBC Asia Today programme. It is also a popular wedding song.

Lyrics

Version 1

There is a land far from this distant shore
Where heather grows and Highland eagles soar
There is a land that will live ever more
Deep in my heart, my Bonnie Scotland

Though I serve so far away

I still see your streams, cities and dreams

I can't wait until the day

When I'll come home once more

And so Lord keep me from the harm of war
Through all its dangers and the battle's roar
Keep me safe until I'm home once more
Home to my own in Bonnie Scotland

Version 2

Land of our fathers, we will always be
Faithful and loyal to our own country
In times of danger, we will set you free
Lead you to glory and to victory

Hail, Caledonia, to our ancient prayer
In this Highland Cathedral, let our standards, bear
Joining, together, with one dream to share
God bless the people of this land so fair

Chorus:

Gone is the past, let us start a new

Let this hope of peace, always remain

Spirit of Scotia, be strong and true

Then your children will smile again.

Rise, Caledonia, let your voices ring
In this Highland Cathedral of our God and King
Whom, joy and liberty, to all, will bring
Come; let your heart, with love and courage, sing

Chorus:

Lonely the exile, o'er distant seas,

The home of their birth, gone from their eyes.

Bring back their souls o'er the ocean breeze

To the land where their fathers lie.

External links

• http://www.morgle.com/highlandcathedral.htm
• http://www.highlandcathedral.com
• http://www.kingstownscottishpipeband.co.uk/pages/bob_small.htm