Scotland the Brave

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"Scotland the Brave" (Scottish Gaelic: Alba an Aigh) is, along with "Flower of Scotland" and "Scots Wha Hae", an unofficial national anthem of Scotland. It is used as the Scottish national anthem at the Commonwealth Games.

It 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

[edit] Lyrics

The pipinig tune dates back several centuries, and is considered a traditional Scottish folk-tune. However the lyrics were written comparatively recently by the Scottish journalist Cliff Hanley in or around the 1950s. They are as follows:

"Scotland the Brave" by Cliff Hanley

Hark when the night is falling
Hear! hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling,
Down thro' the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits
of the old Highland men.

Chorus
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud
standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.

High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat
Beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines
from fair maidens' eyes.

Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud
standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.

Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss
Of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.

[edit] Trivia

The tune was originally proposed by Clan Buchanan.
There was a significant anachronism in Kenneth Branagh's TV film Shackleton where some of the characters sang this song.
"Scotland the Brave" is arranged to accompany Men of Harlech as part of the Radio 4 UK Theme.
In the mid 1800's, William Wines Phelps provided lyrics to "Scotland the Brave" for his hymn "Praise to the Man", a posthumous tribute to Joseph Smith, Jr..
"Scotland the Brave" has now become a stage show which is touring the world in 2007 visiting Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The show features the best of Scottish music song and dance with over 100 performers on stage. Information about the tour can be found in the external link bellow.