Having an Irish father and Scottish mother the first time i heard Flower of Scotland sung with passion was at a 6 Nations tournament rugby match. It was Ireland vs Scotland at Murrayfield (Scotland's national stadium) and i had a custom jersey made that was half Irish half Scotland and my face painted the same half and half and I stood and sang for both. It was a surreal experience.
The anthem is about King Robert the Bruce defeating King Edward of England at the battle of Bannockburn which let Scotland become an independent country once again.
As a Scottish (and British) Patriot, i have to say that, sadly a great many of my fellow Scots do in fact live in the past. The Wars of Independence happened more than 700 years ago, yet many Scots still hold onto resentment of the English because of these Wars. The sad fact is, many Scots are completely ignorant of our history. They've heard, or read bits and bobs, and mash it altogether to come up with their own version of events. They also relate 13th century politics to todays politics, which you simply cannot do, as they are entirely different. They equate the idea of 'freedom', or independence back then, to mean the same as it does now. Independence back then was independence for the nobles, the common Man would have known no difference, whether Scotland was under English rule, or Scottish rule. The nobles felt the difference. It meant taxes being paid to them by the populace was staying in their coffers, rather than having to give a chunk of it to England. So the nobles were far more wealthy within Scotland, meaning they could then forgo their English territories. Many Scots don't know about this, and so hang on desperately to this outdated notion of 'freedom'. Then we have the whole mess created with the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. These were far from Scots v English, but once more, we have far too many Scots think that these wars were Scots v English. They think Bonnie Prince Charlie was fighting for Scottish independence, when he was in fact fighting to regain the Throne of Great Britain, to once more have a Stuart as sitting Monarch. A quick look through the comments here, shows that some don't know the meaning behind 'Flower of Scotland'. It references Bruce defeating the English King, Edward II in battle at Bannockburn (Proud Edward's Army). The 'Flower' in this case is the Men of Ettrick Forest(also referenced in the song 'The Flooer's O' the Forest'). These Men were highly regarded soldiers, who would not back down in conflict. They either won the day, or died in battle, they would never retreat (Oh Flower of Scotland, when will we see yer like again, that fought and died for, yer wee bit hill and glen). So this is a lament. When will we have Men of that stature again, who will lead us to 'freedom'? The verse which isn't sung at sporting events goes... The Hills are bare now. And autumn leaves, lie thick and still. O'er land that is lost now, Which those so dearly held, And Stood against him, Proud Edward's Army, And sent him homeward, tae think again. Again, this is lamenting the fact that we gave up our freedom. No more battles, no more wars. He's saying that we gave our land willingly, without a fight. The Flowers of Scotland wouldn't have given up, and would've died for that land. Although the sentiment is strong, it is inaccurate. As i said, the Men who fought in the wars of independence weren't fighting for a modern idea of freedom and independence, it was very much about money, and prestige. The last verse, sung here. Those days are past now, And in the past, they must remain. But we can still rise now, And be the nation again, That stood against him, Proud Edwards Army, And sent him homeward, Tae think again. This then acknowledges the fact that the days of the wars, and the battles, and many lost lives, is gone. We cannot ever return to those days. However, we can once more find that heart, and soul, that spirit, to once more be that proud nation, we once were. In other words, we can once more be independent, and stand alone. The problem is, once more, this Hymn(and it was written as a hymn), is all a bit sugar coated, it's on about a Utopia, an idea, a dream, if you will. The way i've always interpreted it is, if each individual Scot carries that pride of being a Scot within them, then we are 'free'. It's not about self-governance, it's about belief in self, in ones own being. We are, or we could all be, the Flowers of Scotland.
As a Scot I think The words are a warning Those days are past now and in the past they must remain But here's the warning We aint done "For we can still rise now" and be that nation again Meaning " Hey England if you give us cause we will rise against you" I'm very proud of our National anthem it's very subtly menacing Like Scotland really
As a Scot, my experience with Flower of Scotland is that no one feels forced to sing it which I feel like a lot of other countries are missing at least in the current day and age. Like you said, its not a claim to be the best of the best, just enduring and brave.
This song is about standing up and defeating the English, 'Proud Edwards army' is the English that Scotland stood up to and defeated ie in the song 'sent him homeward to think again' , and yes Braveheart sums up our National Anthem. You are also right it is sung from a place of respect, pride and strength. If you also google on Yout ube why did the Roman Empire not conquer Scotland, the simple answer is because it couldn't.....we are proud warriors ... Thanks man for the interesting video, peace and respect .. x ♥
The lord, put the garden of eden on earth, and its north of the tweed we believe. Aye, Scotlands the place, and the whole human race began with McAdam & Nieve. 🏴🏴🏴🏴 In 6 days or under, he finished this wonder, except from the Forth and Tay bridges 🏴🏴🏴
The words that escape you at this moment. Is your a student of culture.... Enjoy, as the world is a beatiful place.... Enjoy. Scotland is regarded asa the under-dog....But sometimes the under-dog is the the big dogg and if not? Then you will know you were in a dogg fight...!.Win, lose or draw....! I'm just a small wee man. But a bully will say ill crack your skull open bully being twice the size and wieght of me? My reply. Your going to have too? As I don't do walking away! Scottish doggs will always fight the good fight. Even if it means a kicking...?WOOF! Mite lose the battle but the war has not been lost! And i will send the bully home wards tae think again!!!!
I'm aware of that but some people call it Scoatland or that's how it sounds from the central belt. There are hundreds of accents in this country as well
Having an Irish father and Scottish mother the first time i heard Flower of Scotland sung with passion was at a 6 Nations tournament rugby match. It was Ireland vs Scotland at Murrayfield (Scotland's national stadium) and i had a custom jersey made that was half Irish half Scotland and my face painted the same half and half and I stood and sang for both. It was a surreal experience.
We may be small but we are mighty! Alba gu brath, Much love from Scotland 🌺
💯💯💯💯
Saor Alba gu brath
'Prideful but not egotistical'
Perfect words to describe any national anthem. Great insight from yourself. Thank you
Love to you from Scotland 🏴 x
❤❤ Huge respect to you my friend for playing this, as a Scot it gives me goosebumps.
Peace n Love.❤❤
Great video, you actually followed the words ❤❤ from scotland
The singing of this at Murrayfield makes my hair stand on end
love from Scotland my man!
Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for tuning in. 🤜🤛
Scot here. Thanks for taking an interest.
Thank you for making a video of Scotland.
Aye, great reaction, cheers. :D it really is a great national anthem. ;) Saor Alba
🤜🤛 Much love!
The anthem is about King Robert the Bruce defeating King Edward of England at the battle of Bannockburn which let Scotland become an independent country once again.
You should listen to the writer of this song ( Roy Williamson ) and his Folk band The Corries 1960s
Love from Scotland.
Have you heard about Katie Pruitt?? Her song Georgia is definitely worth a listen.
Im a look her up. Thank you!
Idk what it is but my soul is filled listening ti this, much love from scotland. Up the empire
As a Scottish (and British) Patriot, i have to say that, sadly a great many of my fellow Scots do in fact live in the past. The Wars of Independence happened more than 700 years ago, yet many Scots still hold onto resentment of the English because of these Wars.
The sad fact is, many Scots are completely ignorant of our history. They've heard, or read bits and bobs, and mash it altogether to come up with their own version of events. They also relate 13th century politics to todays politics, which you simply cannot do, as they are entirely different. They equate the idea of 'freedom', or independence back then, to mean the same as it does now. Independence back then was independence for the nobles, the common Man would have known no difference, whether Scotland was under English rule, or Scottish rule. The nobles felt the difference. It meant taxes being paid to them by the populace was staying in their coffers, rather than having to give a chunk of it to England. So the nobles were far more wealthy within Scotland, meaning they could then forgo their English territories.
Many Scots don't know about this, and so hang on desperately to this outdated notion of 'freedom'. Then we have the whole mess created with the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. These were far from Scots v English, but once more, we have far too many Scots think that these wars were Scots v English. They think Bonnie Prince Charlie was fighting for Scottish independence, when he was in fact fighting to regain the Throne of Great Britain, to once more have a Stuart as sitting Monarch.
A quick look through the comments here, shows that some don't know the meaning behind 'Flower of Scotland'. It references Bruce defeating the English King, Edward II in battle at Bannockburn (Proud Edward's Army). The 'Flower' in this case is the Men of Ettrick Forest(also referenced in the song 'The Flooer's O' the Forest'). These Men were highly regarded soldiers, who would not back down in conflict. They either won the day, or died in battle, they would never retreat (Oh Flower of Scotland, when will we see yer like again, that fought and died for, yer wee bit hill and glen). So this is a lament. When will we have Men of that stature again, who will lead us to 'freedom'?
The verse which isn't sung at sporting events goes...
The Hills are bare now.
And autumn leaves, lie thick and still.
O'er land that is lost now,
Which those so dearly held,
And Stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
tae think again.
Again, this is lamenting the fact that we gave up our freedom. No more battles, no more wars. He's saying that we gave our land willingly, without a fight. The Flowers of Scotland wouldn't have given up, and would've died for that land.
Although the sentiment is strong, it is inaccurate. As i said, the Men who fought in the wars of independence weren't fighting for a modern idea of freedom and independence, it was very much about money, and prestige.
The last verse, sung here.
Those days are past now,
And in the past, they must remain.
But we can still rise now,
And be the nation again,
That stood against him,
Proud Edwards Army,
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again.
This then acknowledges the fact that the days of the wars, and the battles, and many lost lives, is gone. We cannot ever return to those days. However, we can once more find that heart, and soul, that spirit, to once more be that proud nation, we once were. In other words, we can once more be independent, and stand alone.
The problem is, once more, this Hymn(and it was written as a hymn), is all a bit sugar coated, it's on about a Utopia, an idea, a dream, if you will. The way i've always interpreted it is, if each individual Scot carries that pride of being a Scot within them, then we are 'free'. It's not about self-governance, it's about belief in self, in ones own being. We are, or we could all be, the Flowers of Scotland.
You might enjoy Dougie MacLean's Caledonia.... also, I am led to believe the US Marines listen to his song The Gael before going into action
That's a new one tae me.Never ever heard that.
greeting from Scotland. Have you ever seen the movie Braveheart? The song is about William Wallace beating the english army in battle.
Wrong. It's referencing King Robert I defeating King Edward II at Bannockburn.
Love this, thank you !
Scots wha hae or Scotland the brave are both alternatives but for me it will alays be flower if Scotland
As a Scot I think The words are a warning Those days are past now and in the past they must remain But here's the warning We aint done "For we can still rise now" and be that nation again Meaning " Hey England if you give us cause we will rise against you" I'm very proud of our National anthem it's very subtly menacing Like Scotland really
It's not about us rising to defeat England. It's saying that together we're strong, that as a people we are unbowed.
The whole song is directed towards England and the rise part was to become our own independent nation again
Battle of bannockburn 1314 to be exact on what its about 😊
I'm scottish and proud ❤
As a Scot, my experience with Flower of Scotland is that no one feels forced to sing it which I feel like a lot of other countries are missing at least in the current day and age.
Like you said, its not a claim to be the best of the best, just enduring and brave.
This song is about standing up and defeating the English, 'Proud Edwards army' is the English that Scotland stood up to and defeated ie in the song 'sent him homeward to think again' , and yes Braveheart sums up our National Anthem. You are also right it is sung from a place of respect, pride and strength. If you also google on Yout
ube why did the Roman Empire not conquer Scotland, the simple answer is because it couldn't.....we are proud warriors ... Thanks man for the interesting video, peace and respect .. x ♥
The lord, put the garden of eden on earth, and its north of the tweed we believe. Aye, Scotlands the place, and the whole human race began with McAdam & Nieve.
🏴🏴🏴🏴
In 6 days or under, he finished this wonder, except from the Forth and Tay bridges
🏴🏴🏴
The words that escape you at this moment. Is your a student of culture.... Enjoy, as the world is a beatiful place.... Enjoy. Scotland is regarded asa the under-dog....But sometimes the under-dog is the the big dogg and if not? Then you will know you were in a dogg fight...!.Win, lose or draw....! I'm just a small wee man. But a bully will say ill crack your skull open bully being twice the size and wieght of me? My reply. Your going to have too? As I don't do walking away! Scottish doggs will always fight the good fight. Even if it means a kicking...?WOOF! Mite lose the battle but the war has not been lost! And i will send the bully home wards tae think again!!!!
it is Scottish not Scattish in your Lingo big man
Braveheart, great movie, but not historically correct.
it is Scotland not Scatlond u need to learn
You've came back here on 3 seperate occasions to berate a guy taking an interest in Scotland. Get a grip of yourself you absolute weapon.
It's called an accent.
@@scottwood5305 It's called Scotland my country God's Country
I'm aware of that but some people call it Scoatland or that's how it sounds from the central belt. There are hundreds of accents in this country as well
I have been to your dumb country by the the way thanks for the help in WW2
Definitely brother xx