Before visiting Edinburgh, you might never ask yourself: can a country or city exist without a national anthem? It turns out, they can. Edinburgh, like Scotland as a whole, has no official national anthem. However, two popular songs vie for the title of the country’s unofficial anthem, capturing the patriotic spirit and history of the Scottish people. For decades, these songs have been played at official international events representing both Scotland and Edinburgh. Why does Scotland’s unofficial anthem have such an unusual name? And what could a modern anthem for Edinburgh sound like? This article from edinburgh-trend has the answers.
Flower of Scotland
“Flower of Scotland” is the name of the patriotic, unofficial anthem of Scotland. There is another song, “Scotland the Brave,” which is also performed at various state events, but as few people know the lyrics, it is used far less often. “Flower of Scotland” was written in the mid-1960s by Roy Williamson, founder of the folk group The Corries. The song’s lyrics tell of the victory of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce over the army of the English King Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The composition was first performed on the BBC in 1967 and immediately became popular in Scotland. In a 2006 poll, in which around 10,000 Scots were asked to choose their preferred national anthem from five songs, “Flower of Scotland” won by a large margin.
Although the song recounts historical events, its title is linked to the floral symbol of Scotland: the thistle, a common wild plant. Interestingly, there is a legend about how the thistle became the country’s symbol. As the story goes, Viking invaders were attempting a surprise night attack on a Scottish camp. One of the enemies stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, thereby alerting the Scots to the danger. Since then, the thistle has been Scotland’s floral representative.
In Edinburgh, “Flower of Scotland” is most often performed at major sporting events, such as national rugby championships. It is also frequently played in the city’s schools at the beginning and end of the academic year. Although this national song is well-known and familiar to every resident of Edinburgh, the question of writing a new, contemporary, and official anthem is regularly raised.
What Could a Modern Anthem for Edinburgh Sound Like?
As Edinburgh is Scotland’s cultural hub, a new anthem could reflect the country’s modern musical trends. It could break from the conventional style and genre, blending traditional Scottish elements with contemporary musical styles. Here are some possible directions for a new anthem:
- Folk-Rock and Indie Music: Popular songs about Scotland have already been created by bands like The Proclaimers or Travis. Their style could be used as a foundation for a new anthem.
- Electronic Music with Traditional Instruments: Combining traditional instruments like bagpipes and fiddles with electronic elements would create a unique sound.
- Celtic Music with a Modern Twist: Edinburgh has a rich Celtic music heritage. These traditions could be updated by adding modern rhythms and instruments.
- Classical Music with Contemporary Elements: Classical melodies infused with modern instruments could produce a distinctive sound.
- Contemporary Scottish Artists: Musicians like Lewis Capaldi or Amy Macdonald are immensely popular and could create a song that captures the spirit of the city and the country.
For now, the question of an official city anthem for Edinburgh remains open. Any modern composition could be presented as the chosen anthem, provided it is embraced by the public and local authorities.
