Traditional Scottish Songs
- Land of Light

In 1998, the Herald newspaper in Glasgow launched a competition for a new anthem for Scotland. The current "unofficial" anthem, which is used at international sports and other occasions, is "Flower of Scotland". (The official anthem is, of course, "God Save the Queen"). A judging panel chaired by impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh selected "Land of Light" with words and music by William Jackson. Jackson is a composer of some note, having written a number of albums for the Ossian band and the St Mungo Suite, celebrating Glasgow's year as European City of Culture in 1990.

You can hear extracts of a RealAudio sound version and buy a CD performance of the song at Mill Records.


Land of Light

O land of light
Ancient and strong,
Land of justice and hope of the young,
Land of the glen, and shining river.

Scotland my homeland forever
Alba mo dhuthaich gu deireadh mo la

Freedom and truth,
Music and verse,
Carried aflame to the ends of the earth,
Dear to my heart, where e'r I wander.

Scotland my homeland forever
Alba mo dhuthaich gu deireadh mo la

Now dawns the age,
Now comes the call,
Carry science and learning to all,
God, be our guide and leave us never.

Scotland my homeland forever
Alba mo dhuthaich gu deireadh mo la

Scotland my homeland forever

Meaning of unusual words:
"Alba mo dhuthaich gu deireadh mo la" means "Scotland my homeland forever".

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs



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