CALEDONIA
(Bert Jansch)

Bert Jansch


Last night as I lay sleeping, a dream it came to me
I thought I heard a piper play the sweetest melody
People gathered round a’ dancing and singing so merrily
They’re all singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free
Singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free

From the busy heart of Glasgow to Lochranza by the sea
O’er the water to Kintyre, the prettiest place you’ll ever see
To the pubs and bars of Oban, they’re all proud of their old country
They’re all singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free
Singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free

On the road to Drumnadrochit, there’s music everywhere
For the piper plays for Nessie a sweet and tender air
Through Glengarry’s running rivers, cascading to the sea
To the tranquillity of Ullapool, ah now that’s Scotland to me
Come wild and windy weather, Caledonia ever free

When the fiddle plays from Shetland, they heard the piper’s song
They came o’er the sea to join him, they danced and they sang along
From the granite city southward, on the road to bonny Dundee
They’re all singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free
Singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free

Now if you ever come to Scotland, ever come to visit my home
You can hear the piper playing, standing all alone
For he plays from Edinburgh Castle, that looks out to the sea
He’ll have you singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free
Singing and dancing, Caledonia ever free