Davy Arthur                                                                      SA1980.06.5

This fine song, composed by the late Roy Williamson of The Corries folk group needs little introduction since it has become a strong competitor for the title  ‘national anthem’ of Scotland. Roud index no. 25909.
Arthur Stewart also added his guitar to Davy’s and it proved to be one of the last songs heard at a domestic sing-song on January 10th 1980 before it began to break up around 1.0 am. This was earlier than usual for such parties but two of the men had to be away fishing by 3.30am.

O flower of Scotland           When will we see your like again
That fought and died for    Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him        Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward    Tae think again

The hills are bare now            And autumn leaves lie thick and still
O’er land that’s lost now      Which those sae dearly held
And stood against him         Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward     Tae think again.

O flower of Scotland              When will we see your like again
That fought and died for       Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him           Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward       Tae think again

The hills are bare now           And autumn leaves lie thick and still
O’er land that is lost now      Which those sae dearly held
And stood against him          Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward       Tae think again

O flower of Scotland              When will we see your like again
That fought and died for        Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him           Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward       Tae think again

Those days are passed now   And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now        And be the nation again
That stood against him          Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward       Tae think again

O flower of Scotland              When will we see your like again
That fought and died for       Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him          Proud Edward’s army
And sent him homeward       Tae think again

Thanks to Ronnie Browne, Roy Williamson’s partner in The Corries for permission to publish this.