Written by Dougie Maclean, the song Caledonia has been dubbed Scotland’s unofficial national anthem. Frankie Miller covered the first verse of it as background music to a very successful Scottish beer commercial (click here). That led to the song becoming a hit for Frankie. I was unable to embed the commercial’s video here, but it is worth a look and can be viewed on YouTube (click here.)
Written when he was in France, Doughie’s lyrics include some great references to his friends and going home to see them. This resonates with me and my “return” to Scotland, Maryland in 2007 to purchase Buzzy’s from my Dad. I have never once looked back nor regretted that decision.
Here are the Caledonia lyrics for you to scan as you listen to the video below::
I don’t know if you can see the changes that have come over me
In these last few days I’ve been afraid I might drift away
So I’ve been telling old stories, singing songs,
that make me think about where I came from
That’s the reasons why I seem so far away today
CHORUS
Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time
Caledonia you’re calling me and I’m going home
But if I should become a stranger
you know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had
I have moved and I’ve kept on moving,
proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
found others on the way
I have tried and I’ve kept on trying,
stolen dreams, yes there’s no denying
I’ve traveled hard with conscience flying
somewhere in the wind
CHORUS
Now I’m sitting here before the fire,
the empty room, the forest choir
The flames that couldn’t get any higher
they’ve withered now they’ve gone
But I’m steady thinking,
my way is clear
and I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands have shaken
and the kisses flow
then I will disappear
Doughie Maclean singing Caledonia with a little help from his friends:
Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had.