Flower of Scotland facts for kids
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| Unofficial anthem of | Scotland |
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| Lyrics | Roy Williamson, 1966–1967 |
| Music | Roy Williamson, 1966–1967 |
"Flower of Scotland" is a very popular Scottish patriotic song. Many people consider it Scotland's unofficial national anthem. A talented folk musician named Roy Williamson wrote it in the mid-1960s.
The song tells the story of a famous Scottish victory. It celebrates Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots, defeating Edward II, the King of England. This important event happened at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The song reminds Scots of their history and national pride. It is often heard at big sporting events, especially for rugby and football.
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"Flower of Scotland": A National Song
"Flower of Scotland" was created by Roy Williamson from the folk group the Corries. It was first shared with the public on a BBC television show in 1967. The song quickly became a symbol of Scottish pride.
The lyrics recall a key moment in Scottish history. This was the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In this battle, the Kingdom of Scotland, led by King Robert I, won against the Kingdom of England, led by Edward II. Even though Scotland does not have an official national anthem, "Flower of Scotland" is widely used. Another well-known song, "Scotland the Brave", is also very popular. The song is mostly in English, with just one word from the Scots language.
How "Flower of Scotland" Became Popular in Sports
"Flower of Scotland" is a favorite song at many Scottish sports events. The Scotland national rugby union team started singing it in 1974. A player named Billy Steele encouraged his teammates to use it.
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The song became the official pre-game anthem for the 1990 Five Nations Championship. This was first for a home game against France. Then, it was used for the deciding match between Scotland and England at Murrayfield. Scotland won that game 13–7, achieving the Grand Slam. The Scottish Football Association also adopted "Flower of Scotland" as its pre-game national anthem in 1997. They had first used it for football matches in 1993.
Celebrating Victories at the Commonwealth Games
Team Scotland proudly uses "Flower of Scotland" at the Commonwealth Games. It became their victory anthem in the 2010 Games, taking the place of "Scotland the Brave." This tradition continued at the 2014 Games. Whenever a Scottish athlete won a gold medal, this inspiring song was played. It was sung four times on the very first day of competition in 2014, celebrating four gold medals.
A Special Performance at the Olympics
At the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, "Flower of Scotland" had a special moment. The song was sung live at Edinburgh Castle. A group of 53 Scottish children performed it. These children were chosen from schools across Scotland for this big event.
Debating an Official National Anthem
Many people in Scotland have discussed whether "Flower of Scotland" should be their official national anthem. In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra held an online poll. People could choose from five different songs. "Flower of Scotland" was the clear winner, receiving 41 percent of the 10,000 votes.
In January 2015, a member of the public asked the Scottish Parliament to officially adopt "Flower of Scotland." The Scottish Football Association (SFA) also asked its members what they thought. "Flower of Scotland" won their poll, but it was a very close result. This showed that "Scotland the Brave" still had many supporters among football fans.
By March 2015, the Scottish Parliament decided not to make a formal choice. They believed that the decision for a national anthem should come from the people over time. They felt it was not something the government should officially lead.
Other Places You Might Hear the Tune
The melody of "Flower of Scotland" is also used in other ways. Fans of the French football club Paris Saint-Germain sing a chant called "Ô Ville Lumière" to its tune. The Irish band the Wolfe Tones also included the song on their 1983 album, 'A Sense of Freedom'.
See also
In Spanish: Flower of Scotland para niños
