| Freedom Come-all-ye |
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Freedom Come-All-Ye, one of Henderson's most important songs, gives a non-romantic, revisionist view of the role of the Scots in the world at the time it was written. It describes a wind of change blowing through Scotland and the world at large, sweeping away exploitation and imperialism. It renounces the tradition of the Scottish soldier both as imperial cannon-fodder and colonial oppressor, and ends with a vision of a future global society which is multiracial and just. The song was written in 1960 , to an adaptation of the First World War pipe march The Bloody Fields Of Flanders , which Henderson first heard played on the Anzio beachhead. It was written for the Glasgow Peace Marchers CND demonstrators, and the anti- Polaris campaign. A product of the Scottish Folk Revival , and originally a Sixties Protest song, it is still popular in Scotland and overseas. Henderson described it as "expressing my hopes for Scotland, and for the survival of humanity on this beleagured planet." It is viewed by many as Scotland's 'alternative' National Anthem (although there is no 'official' Scottish anthem). However, Henderson never wanted it to become as he felt that part of its strength lies in the fact that it is alternative. LYRICS Roch the win i the clear day's dawin Blaws the clouds heilster-gowdie owre the bay But there's mair nor a roch win blawin Thro the Great Glen o the warl the day It's a thocht that wad gar our rottans Aa thae rogues that gang gallus fresh an gay Tak the road an seek ither loanins Wi thair ill-ploys tae sport an play Nae mair will our bonnie callants Merch tae war whan our braggarts crousely craw Nor wee weans frae pitheid an clachan Murn the ships sailin doun the Broomielaw Broken faimilies in launs we've hairriet Will curse 'Scotlan The Brave' nae mair, nae mair Black an white ane-til-ither mairriet Mak the vile barracks o thair maisters bare Sae come aa ye at hame wi freedom Never heed whit the houdies croak for Doom In yer hous aa the bairns o Aidam Will fin breid, barley-bree an paintit room Whan MacLean meets wi's friens in Springburn Aa thae roses an geeans will turn tae blume An a black laud frae yont Nyanga Dings the fell gallows o the burghers doun. ENGLISH TRANSLATION It's a rough wind in the clear day's dawning Blows the clouds head-over-heels across the bay But there's more than a rough wind blowing Through the Great Glen of the world today It's a thought that would make our rodents, All those rogues who strut and swagger, Take the road and seek other pastures To carry out their wicked schemes No more will our fine young men March to war at the behest of jingoists and imperialists Nor will young children from mining communities and rural hamlets Mourn the ships sailing off down the River Clyde Broken families in lands we've helped to oppress Will never again have reason to curse the sound of advancing Scots Black and white, united in friendship and marriage, Will result in the military garrisons being adandoned and empty So come all ye who love freedom Pay no attention to the prophets of doom In your house all the children of Adam Will be welcomed with food, drink and hospitality When the spirit of John MacLean returns to his people All the flowers will blossom And black Africa will bring crashing down All Imperialism's dreadful apparatus of oppression |
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