Suggestions for a Scottish National Anthem

The Scottish Arts Council (see [4.17]) has suggested having a new national anthem written for post-devolution Scotland. However, a number of existing songs or tunes could be used. Here's the most frequently suggested.

Existing Anthem

The current Official National Anthem in Scotland is God Save the Queen which is detested by many, not least because it was originally written as a pro-English, anti-Scottish song at the time of the Jacobite freedom fighters. Furthermore, many Scots are not particularly Royalist. The original version, had this verse (now dropped):

God grant that Marshall Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
victory bring,
May he sedition hush,
and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King.

Flower of Scotland is also used in an official capacity as the anthem for Scottish Rugby and Football and I believe it is also used at the Commonwealth Games.

Songs

Flower of Scotland (The Corries)
http://www.corries.com/

See also [9.3.1]

Dawning of The Day (The Corries)
http://www.corries.com/

Freedom Come All Ye (Hamish Henderson)
Hamish sees this song as more of an international, rather than
national song. Lyrics at
http://www.dickgaughan.co.uk/songs/texts/freecaye.html

Highland Cathedral
A regular on the Edinburgh Tattoo and has been recorded by numerous artists. Lyrics: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/highlandcathedral/

Scots wha hae (Burns)
For a' that (Burns)
Auld Lang Syne (Burns) (there are two tunes)

Scotland the Brave (good tune, somewhat dated lyrics, see [9.3.20]

Caledonia (Dougie MacLean)
http://www.dunkeld.co.uk/
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/9_3_21.html

Alba (Runrig)
http://www.runrig.co.uk/

The First Minister has also suggested we have a debate on the matter http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4837078.stm

Tunes only (new lyrics required)

Scotland the Brave
Farewell to Sicily
Wild Mountain Thyme
Callor Herring (sp?)
Annie Laurie
The Wild Geese
All the Fine Young Men
Willie McBride. See [9.3.9]
Bonnie Dundee
John McLean March
An Ubhal as aird
A Ribhinn Og, bheil cuimhne agad?
Fear a' Bhata
A Riubhinn Donn
Canan nan Gaidheal
Amazing Grace

Both Sides the Tweed (Dick Gaughan)
http://www.dickgaughan.co.uk/songs/texts/tweed.html

'Hey, tuttie taitie.' (Scots wha hae) is a Scottish tune of such antiquity that there is belief in many quarters, (including Burns himself) that it was indeed the very battle tune used during the Wars of Independence.

Others and less serious contenders

If all leads to independence, "Ae fond kiss and then we sever" might be apropos...

Parcel O' Rogues (Burns)

Loch Lomond (traditional)
See [9.3.5]

No gods and precious few heros (Brian McNeill / Hamish Henderson) http://www.b-mcneill.demon.co.uk/

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