Scotland the Brave
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"Scotland the Brave" (Scottish Gaelic: Alba an Aigh) is a patriotic song and one of the main contenders to be considered as a national anthem of Scotland. In June 2006, the song came second to Flower of Scotland in an online poll with more than 10,000 votes to determine the nation's favourite unofficial "anthem".[1] The song is used to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.[2]
Scotland the Brave is also the authorised pipe band march of The British Columbia Dragoons of the Canadian Forces and is played during the Pass in Review at Friday parades at The Citadel. In 2006, it was adopted as the regimental quick march of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. In the 1982 and in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Scottish national team used it as its anthem.[3]
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[edit] Lyrics
The tune probably first appeared around the turn of the 20th century[4], and at that time was sometimes known as Scotland the Brave. However, the lyrics were written around 1950 by the Scottish journalist Cliff Hanley for the singer Robert Wilson in an arrangement by Marion McClurg.
| Scotland the Brave - Cliff Hanley Lyrics |
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Hark! When the night is falling Chorus High in the misty Highlands, Chorus Far off in sunlit places, Chorus |
There is another set of lyrics known as 'My Bonnie Lassie'
| My Bonnie Lassie Lyrics |
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Drums in my heart are drummin, Chorus: Somewhere a ship and crew, Chorus Sad are the lads she's leavin, Chorus |
There is also an alternate set of lyrics by John McDermott 'Scotland Forever,' sung to the same tune:
| JohnMcDermott version lyrics |
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Let Italy boast of her gay gilded waters, Scotland's blue mountains wild where hoary cliffs are piled, Enthroned on the peak of her own highland mountains, Here among my mountains wild I have serenely smiled, But see how proudly her war steeds are prancing, Bold hearts and nodding plumes wave o'er their bloody tombs, Bold hearts and nodding plumes wave o'er their bloody tombs, |
[edit] Parodies and Influences
[edit] The Corries' parody
Scottish folk duo The Corries performed the following version of Scotland the Brave.
| The Corries' Parody |
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Land o' the purple heather. Used to say in faither's day, Land that is full o' skivers, The tourists come here every year Land o' the Kilt and Sporran - Conservatives try to assure us, |
[edit] References
- ^ The Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Stéphane Denève (Music Director) - The RSNO National Anthem Poll Winner
- ^ BBC NEWS | Scotland | McConnell calls for anthem debate
- ^ [1]
- ^ The Fiddler's Companion