A Whole Band Out Of Step

The official Anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is "God Save The Queen," while "The Flower of Scotland" is Scotland's Unofficial National Anthem, along with "Scotland the Brave."  It commemorates the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.  Other compositions the Scots are inclined to call their National Anthems are, "The Thistle of Scotland," "Highland Cathedral," "Scots Wha Ha'e Wi' Wallace Bled" and "Auld Lang Syne."  The musical arrangement of "The Flower of Scotland" will be addressed in this short article.

A selection accepted as a country's National Anthem should be written as a standard that can be played the same anywhere.  Consequently, the music for "The Flower of Scotland" is being presented in this blog to show how it has been changed from the original and rewritten for pipe bands by Pipe Major J.G. Slattery for The Scots Guards.  Although bands play it this way, it doesn't offer the same satisfying feeling as the arrangement by Roy M.B. Williamson, the composer.  For example, the name "Scotland" is broken with the emphasis falling on 'land' and not on 'Scotland,' which should get the emphasis.  'Scotland' should fall on the left foot.  'Land' should fall on the right foot and get less emphasis.

Notice the notes that should be held for the word 'see' in the line, "When will we see your like again?"  The word 'see' should not be broken as it is in this band arrangement.  The E should be held for three beats.  With three beats, it gives the tune a nice flowing feel, whereas with only two beats, the tune is choppy.  Similarly, the word 'again' should not be cut off as it is in the band arrangement.

When the music was being arranged for "The Church Piper," Vol. 12B, "More Songs of Scotland," permission from the composer was obtained and the bagpipe arrangement followed his direction precisely.  The only correction he made was to ask that the words in the first verse should begin, "Oh flower of Scotland."  His musical composition began with an introduction of three notes with the corresponding words, "Oh flower of."  Thus, the emphasis fell on "Scotland," which has the first note in the bar.  A pipe band will step off with the left foot on "Scotland."

[To view a larger image of the music above, click on it]

In contrast with this, P/M Slattery's music has the band beginning with the introduction of only one note, causing the left foot to fall on "flower."  This puts the right foot on "Scotland."  A musician will have an easier time to play Roy Williamson's arrangement that flows along nicely, than Slattery's that tends to be choppy and out of step.


"The Flower of Scotland" is beautiful for its music and words. It is worthy to be a National Anthem.  It should be played with all its potentiality for the great song that it is.