"The Flower of Scotland"
Words and music by Roy Williamson, (1937-1990)
Written in 1960, these words set to music have now been adopted by the Scottish Rugby Union
and the Scottish Football Association as Scotland's unofficial national anthem.
Click to hear Williamson's music.
The words refer to Robert the Bruce's victory over Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
Which led inevitably to the Treaty of Arbroath, (1320), and final independence and freedom
for the Scottish Nation.
Oh flower of Scotland
When will we see
Yer like again
That fought and died for
Yer wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again
The hills are bare now
And autumn leaves
Lie thick and still
O'er land that is lost now
Which those so dearly held
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again.
Those days are passed now
And in the past
They must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again.