Highland Cathedral

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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"
Song
Released 1982
Composer Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb

Highland Cathedral is a popular melody for the Great Highland Bagpipe.

This melody was composed by German musicians Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb[1] in 1982 for a Highland games held in Germany.[2] It has been proposed as the Scottish national anthem to replace unofficial anthems Scotland the Brave and/or Flower of Scotland.[3] It has subsequently undergone various orchestrations and had lyrics added in English and in Scottish Gaelic.

The tune has been performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and featured in the album, Spirit of the Glen, which won a Classical Brit award in 2009.[4] The song has been performed at numerous Scottish cultural events, including Scotland's Rugby Union games.[1] 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 official residence, Government House in Central, on the last day of British rule.[5] Highland Cathedral is Chris Patten's favourite pipe tune, as said by himself on a BBC Asia Today programme.[6] 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.

Chorus:
Gone is the past, let us start anew
Let this hope of peace, always remain
Spirit of Scotia, be strong and true
Then your children will smile again.

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:
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.

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

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 BBC SPORT | Rugby | Six Nations | Scots fans given anthem last updated 29 January 2004
  2. ↑ Dinwoodie, Robbie (2006-03-24). "Do you know the tune to Highland Cathedral?". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 2010-03-12. 
  3. ↑ "Will Scotland ever have a national anthem?". BBC. Retrieved 21 September 2012
  4. ↑ "Spirit of the Glen". Allmusic.
  5. ↑ Last Post & Highland Cathedral - Flag Lowering Ceremony at Government House, Hong Kong
  6. ↑ The Governor's Last Farewell

External links

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