Scotland The Brave: traditional Scottish bagpipe music

Scotland the Brave is a Scottish song considered by many to be the unofficial anthem of Scotland. Unlike many Scottish ballads that dwell on its wars with England, Scotland the Brave focuses on the merits of Scotland itself, boasting of the people’s bravery and loyalty, as well as the country’s natural beauty and glorious history. It is a militant song that calls to mind the valor of the Scottish nation and people.

The music originates in the late 19th century when it was set as a march for bagpipes. It was later published in 1911 as a flute solo, but it was not until 1951 that Cliff Hanley wrote the lyrics. While many traditional variations still play it as an instrumental with bagpipes and flute, several vocal versions of Scotland the Brave exist.

Cliff was a Glaswegian (born in Glasgow) and this piece was originally only intended to be sung at a musical performance at Glasgows’ Empire Theater.

But it immediately touched the hearts and souls of the Scottish people and became hugely popular. If you were a football (soccer) fan, this is the song that you’d be singing in the stands!

It did have a rival for the affection of the people though – another piece of traditional Scottish music, ‘The Flower of Scotland’ which was traditionally sung at rugby matches and at other celebrations such as Burns’ Night and St. Andrews’ Night.

Lyrics:

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.

Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavor,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart forever,
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 maiden’s eyes.

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

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

Sources:

• https://youtu.be/nnG1oUkWBa8
• https://www.traditioninaction.org/Cultural/Music_P_files/P009_ScotlandBrave.htm
• https://www.scottish-at-heart.com/scotland-the-brave.html
• https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sporran-maker-given-marching-orders-r62xj78lp
• https://us-east-2.console.aws.amazon.com/polly/home/SynthesizeSpeech

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