Caledonia
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Summary
The song “Caledonia” is an example of a folk song written in the traditional style. Dougie MacLean wrote the song in less than 10 minutes on a beach in Brittany, France, feeling homesick for Scotland. He said: “I was in my early 20s and had been busking around with some Irish guys. I was genuinely homesick. I'd always lived in Perthshire. I played it to the guys when I got back to the youth hostel where we were staying and that was the final straw – we all went home the next day." He adds: "It took about 10 minutes but sometimes that's how songs happen. I'm still amazed at how much it has become part of common culture. There's not a pub singer, busker or pipe band that doesn't play it." This version was recorded at the BBC Folk Awards concert in 2013. Dougie is joined by a large group of Scotland’s folk luminaries.
Lyrics
Caledonia
Author: Dougie McClean
I don't know if you can see
the changes that have come over me
In these last few days
I've been afraid that I might drift away
So I've been telling old stories, singing songs,
that make me think about where I came from
That's the reason why I seem so far away today
CHORUS
Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
you know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
I have moved and I've kept on moving,
proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing, found others on the way
I have tried and I've kept on trying, stolen dreams, yes there's no denying*
I have traveled hard sometimes with conscience flying
somewhere in the wind
CHORUS
Now I'm sitting here before the fire, the empty room, the forest choir
The flames that couldn't get any higher
well they've withered now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear
and I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands have shaken and the kisses flow
then I will disappear
