Scottish Blog

Scotland Wha Hae was for a long time considered to be Scotland’s main unofficial anthem.

Scotland has no official anthem, instead there are a number of songs that are sung in its place. Though none of these are official government backed anthems, they still hold a place of honor at special occasions. Scots Wha Hae is one such song. In recent times though, the use of Scots Wha Hae has been surpassed by that of “Scotland the Brave” and “Flower of Scotland”.

The origin of Scots Wha Hae goes back to 1793, when it was written by Robert Burns. It was originally written to a tune that is said to have been played by the army of Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Bannockburn. The lyrics of Scots Wha Hae are also written in the style of the speech given by Robert the Bruce to his troops before the battle.

The original lyrics to Scots Wha Hae in the Scots language are:

'Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome tae your gory bed,
Or tae Victorie!
'Now's the day, and now's the hour:
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and Slaverie!
'Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha will fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!
'Wha, for Scotland's king and law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or Freeman fa',
Let him on wi' me!
'By Oppression's woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
'Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow! -
Let us do or dee!'