Scotland Yet

Henry Scott Rlddell / MacLeod / Arr Scocha

While living at Teviothead, Henry Scott Riddell was taking a dander up a nearby glen one Summers morning. Owing to a previous heavy fall of rain, the glen sides were brilliant and musical, with little streamlets dancing their way down to the winding bum. The birds were singing overhead. In such surroundings he exclaimed to himself, "this is a grand country after a", then sitting on a rock he wrote the imortal song "Scotland Yet".

Scotland Yet

Gae bring ma guid auld harp yince mair, gae bring it free and fast;

For I maun sing anither sang, Ere a my glee be past;

And trow ye as I sing my lads, the burden o't shall be.

Auld Scotland's howes and Scotland's knowes and Scotland's hills for me: I'll drink a cup to Scotland yet, Wi a' the honours three.

The heath waves wild upon her hills; and foamin frae the fells, Her fountains sing o' freedom still, as they dance doon the dells;

And weel I lo'e the land, my lads, that's girded by the sea;  

Auld Scotland's dales and Scotland vales and Scotland's hills for me:

I'll drink a cup to Scotland yet, Wi a' the honours three.

Her thistle wags upon the fields, where Wallace bore his blade,

That gave her foemen's dearest bluid to dye her auld grey plaid:

And looking to the left, my lads, he sang this doughty glee,

Auld Scotland's right and Scotland's might, and Scotland's hills for me: 

Then drink a cup to Scotland yet, Wi a' the honours three.

They tell o' lands wi' brighter skies, where freedom's voice ne'er rang, Gi'e me the hills where Ossian dwelt and Coila's minstrel sang!

For I've nae skill or land, my lads, that ken na to be free;

Then Scotland's right and Scotland's might, and Scotland's hills for me: Then drink a cup to Scotland yet, Wi a' the honours three.