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Scotland's Story

from Like the river by Alex MacDonald

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about

This was written some time in the early Nineties when there was talk about looking for a new national anthem for Scotland. I had a go, but it turned into this, which tries to tell the whole history of Scotland in five minutes!

lyrics

SCOTLAND'S STORY

The northern Lion lies asleeping
In the darkness before the dawn
Across the sea the light is shining
From Iona the isle of dreams
Creates a kingdom from painted warriors
Celtic bards and Saxon lords
Scotland's glory, Scotland's story,
Scotland's glory, the light has come

Viking longboats swiftly sailing
Mail-clad Normans claim the land
Across the border swings a hammer
Creates a desert and calls it peace
A great sword rises to fight for freedom
Through blood and fire there comes a king
Scotland's glory, Scotland's story,
Scotland's glory, for freedom stands

The flower falls on Flodden's field
Priests and nobles oppress the land
The message comes that heaven's open
They insist that you have to pay
But one man with God's the winner
With open book feared no man's face
Scotland's glory, Scotland's story,
Scotland's glory, the law is king

Now the hunted becomes the hunter
From dark Glencoe to Culloden moor
From Strath Naver to France and Belgium
No great mischief if they fall
But from the Kingdom a great voice wakens
To call the nation to faith and love
Scotland's glory, Scotland's story,
Scotland's glory, is born again

Through war and ruin and hopes of empire
A land for heroes they promise you
The straths are empty, the yards are silent
Confusion reigns, our sorrows drowned
But on our banners the cross and lion
Tell a story of love and power
Scotland's glory, Scotland's story,
Scotland's glory, may come again

(c) Alex J MacDonald

credits

from Like the river, released October 4, 2008
Alex MacDonald: vocals, guitar, and harmonica
Doug MacDonald:bandurria, organ and percussion
Ismael Florit: bass and organ
Donald Forsyth: guitar

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Alex MacDonald Edinburgh, UK

Grew up in Kildonan Strath, Sutherland, where I loved the psalms and hymns and the old folk songs my father had learned from his drover grand uncle.Went on to Cash, the Clancys and Corries, Tom Paxton and Dylan. Started playing guitar and writing songs in my teens, but only started recording this century with my rock band sons! Either solo or with my band, I've played all over Scotland. ... more

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