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National Anthem

Folks, 'Flower of Scotland' is our national anthem: the melody is as profound as our people...

I have been compelled to reach you directly following Finlay Calder wishing to 'scrap' 'Flower of Scotland'!!!! yes I agree we need to represent our present times however I believe we can do this with passion and regard towards The Corries original piece?

I have written and attached my revised lyric to our powerful and emotive national treasure...

Just imagine every earthly Celt heart, at the bells linked in kinship singing not only in tune but in unison... not once - not twice - BUT ALL NIGHT LONG!

Attachments:

MKelly F.of.Scot 2007.doc, 68 KB

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Permalink Reply by Stewart Findlay on June 17, 2011 at 8:35

Alba - words and music by Stewart Findlay

From the snow peaks of the highlands

to the lowlands far away

this country breeds a defiance

that will keep its borders free

its strength is in its love of the rhyme and the song

and the skill at creating something from nought

From the fir trees of the forest

to the power deep beneath the sea

the resources of the homeland

will be its guarantee

and the wealth that will see us succeed in our dream

is the gift of the language and the courage to believe

From the far days of our history

and the stories we've been told

we can trace our time back to Egypt

and the Pharaos of long ago

this line will see success while we have breath

and justice and freedom are the models that we serve

Alba the flowers we have gathered in our arms

are the stems of faith, grace and law,

scientific reason and eternal wings of hope

Stewart Findlay

p.s. I'm in the process of putting a version of the song up on this site.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Kelly on June 17, 2011 at 10:42

Fantastic lyrics Stewart
...looking forward to hearing it:)

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Permalink Reply by Stewart Findlay on June 17, 2011 at 12:06

Maureen Kelly said:

Fantastic lyrics Stewart
...looking forward to hearing it:)

Hi Maureen,

Thanks for your comment.

The song has now been uploaded and can be found on my page.

all the best,

Stewart

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Bates on September 3, 2011 at 16:24

Hi Maureen,

Flower of Scotland is a lovely song but would you really want it as your national anthem? It has been comondered by football hooligans and rugby supporters as well as drunks every where. It extolls the 'virtue' of a warring nation which hopefully we aren't any more, and will never be again, at least I don't want my family put in that position. I see it being popular for new year, but don't we already have a fantastic song for that, which doesn't put people in a fighting mood. There are quite a few very good Scottish songs which are more apt for us, namely Scotland will Flourish by the Corries or one written by Lord Byron many years ago and later put to music, I'm not sure by whom; 'Loch Nagar' extolls our mountains and sceenery and is also a beautiful song. On a lighter note Caladonia is now being widely sung, sadly by football supporters, but also by Scotts the world over. Try and listen to these and think of the sentiments they are sharing with us.