Stirring anthem
He expressed a preference in the song's words for the rugged grandeur of Scotland to the pastoral beauty of England:
"Though Nature of verdure and flowers bereft you
Yet still art thou dearer than Albion's plain
England! thy beauties are tame and domestic
To one who has roved on the mountains afar
Oh for the crags that are wild and majestic..."
However, the positive theme, powerful lyrics and dramatic tune of Dark Lochnagar are what make it a stand out and any references to England could readily be excised in a shortened version or retained to remain faithful to the original.
BILL MACDONALD
Harmony Court
Bonnyrigg