Flower of Scotland.html |
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| “Flower of Scotland” | ||
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| Song | ||
| Composer | Roy Williamson c.1965 | |
Flower of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Flùr na h-Alba, Scots: Flouer o Scotland) is a popular Scottish song, used frequently at special occasions and sporting events. Although Scotland has no official national anthem, Flower of Scotland is one of a number of songs which unofficially fulfil this role, along with Highland Cathedral and the older Scotland the Brave. It was written by Roy Williamson of the folk group, The Corries, and presented in 1967,1 and refers to the victory of the Scots, led by King Robert the Bruce over the King of England, Edward II, at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
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Popular use
Usually only the first and third verses are sung.
The introduction of Flower of Scotland was partly due to hostility amongst rugby and football fans toward the British national anthem God Save the Queen being used to represent Scotland. The song was popular amongst rugby supporters and was finally brought in as an unofficial anthem in response to God Save the Queen being continually drowned out by the ferocious booing and whistling of some of the Scotland supporters.citation needed
A public petition was presented to the Scottish Parliament in 2004 calling for another song to be selected instead.2
In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online poll (publicised by Reporting Scotland) in which voters could choose a national anthem from one of five candidates.citation needed 10,000 people took part in the poll in which Flower of Scotland came out a clear winner. The results were as follows:
| Tune | Votes (%) |
|---|---|
| Flower of Scotland | 41% |
| Scotland the Brave | 29% |
| Highland Cathedral | 16% |
| A Man's a Man for A' That | 7% |
| Scots Wha Hae | 7% |
See also
Other Rugby Match Songs
- Cwm Rhondda
- Sosban Fach
- Ireland's Call
- The Fields of Athenry
- Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
- La Marseillaise
- Waltzing Matilda
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
References
- ^ The Corries website - (visited 28.08.2007)
- ^ Scotsman.com: Executive to study call for new anthem, 25.11.2004 - (visited 26.05.2007)
External links
- The Flower of Scotland - The website "Modern History Sourcebook" has a page on the song, featuring midi files.