Flower of Scotland
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| "Flower of Scotland" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by The Corries | ||
| Published | 1878 (lyrics) | |
| Released | 1965 | |
| Writer | Roy Williamson | |
| Composer | Peter Dodds McCormick | |
Flower of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Flùr na h-Alba, Scots: Flouer o Scotland) is a popular Scottish song, used frequently at special occasions and sporting events. Although Scotland has no official national anthem, Flower of Scotland is one of a number of songs which unofficially fulfil this role, along with Highland Cathedral and the older Scotland the Brave. It was written by Roy Williamson of the folk group, The Corries, and presented in 1967,[1] and refers to the victory of the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, over England's Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
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[edit] Popular use
The song has been a particular favourite of the Scotland national rugby union team, ever since the winger, Billy Steele, encouraged his team-mates to sing it on the victorious Lions tour of South Africa in 1974.[2] The song was first sung as the pre-game anthem during the 1990 Five Nations championship[citation needed] (the forerunner of the Six Nations Championship) which culminated in the deciding match between Scotland and England, which Scotland won 13-7 to win the Grand Slam. The last two lines of each verse are generally sung with particular ferocity, especially before games against England. The Scottish Football Association adopted "Flower of Scotland" as its official pre-game anthem in 1997[citation needed] although it was first used by them in 1993,[citation needed] following the Scotland Rugby Union's example. Usually only the first and third verses are sung.
The introduction of Flower of Scotland was partly due to hostility amongst rugby and football fans towards the British national anthem God Save the Queen being used to represent Scotland. The song was popular amongst rugby supporters and was finally brought in as an unofficial anthem in response to God Save the Queen being continually drowned out by the ferocious booing and whistling of some of the Scotland supporters.[citation needed]
A public petition was presented to the Scottish Parliament in 2004 calling for another song to be selected instead.[3]
The tune was originally composed on the Northumbrian smallpipes,[citation needed] which play in F and have the benefit of keys on the chanter to achieve a greater range of notes.
In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online poll (publicised by Reporting Scotland) in which voters could choose a national anthem from one of five candidates.[citation needed] 10,000 people took part in the poll in which Flower of Scotland came out a clear winner. The results were as follows:
| Tune | Votes (%) |
|---|---|
| Flower of Scotland | 41% |
| Scotland the Brave | 29% |
| Highland Cathedral | 16% |
| A Man's a Man for A' That | 7% |
| Scots Wha Hae | 7% |
Scottish folk-metal band Alestorm, known for their pirate themed songs, have covered Flower of Scotland on their 2008 debut album Captain Morgan's Revenge.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Highland Cathedral
- Scotland the Brave
- Scots Wha Hae
- A Man's a Man for A' That
- Auld lang syne
- Cwm Rhondda
- Sosban Fach
- Ireland's Call
- The Fields of Athenry
- Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
- La Marseillaise
- Waltzing Matilda
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
[edit] References
- ^ The Corries website - (visited 28.08.2007)
- ^ SONGS OF THE SIX NATIONS
- ^ Scotsman.com: Executive to study call for new anthem, 25.11.2004 - (visited 26.05.2007)
[edit] External links
- Flower of Scotland - The website "Cantaria" has a page dedicated to the song, featuring an MP3 file of the song sung by the Corries.
- The Flower of Scotland - The website "Modern History Sourcebook" also has a page on the song, featuring midi files.
