Story of "The Free Soil of Scotland"

The Free Soil of Scotland -- the story behind the song

December 31, 2003

A few months ago, a group of us sat down to plan San Diego's first county-wide Tartan Day event. I asked my dear friend, Barrhead native Janette McLintock, what people in Scotland think of when you mention Arbroath. She answered, "Smokies."

It's amazing to think that while Scots the world over celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, there isn't a national holiday or something similar to mark the day in Arbroath's native land. Being a musician, my first thought was that everything could be solved if only we had a Tartan Day song celebrating the Declaration's virtues. So I went home determined to write one.

But sometimes, when you start out thinking you're going to write one thing, you end up writing something else.

The more I tried to say something about the impact the Declaration of Arbroath had on our own Declaration of Independence here in the U.S., the more hollow it all sounded. How could we sing about a Scottish legacy that helped us achieve our independence and freedom, when the people that authored those words have not enjoyed that privilege for nearly 300 years?

And so the song became something different.

The Free Soil of Scotland was inspired by the voices of freedom that rang from Scotland and carried the spirit of freedom to many lands around the world -- the voices from the monastery at Arbroath, the voices of the Scots heroes who paid the ultimate price for their freedom, and the great Scottish voice of freedom and brotherhood, Robert Burns.

More than anything, though, this song comes from the voices of my dear Scots friends -- especially Janette, who is one of my true heroines and the person I had in mind while writing the words. It also comes from the voices of those of us who are proud to claim Scottish ancestry and who believe that Scots have a right to self-determination, and an undiluted national identity.

Mine is but a single voice from the vast Scots diaspora, but I hope it encourages others to write from their experiences, especially our sister and brother Scots for whom this issue is most personal, and pertinent. Please consider this a Hogmanay gift, with best wishes for the New Year -- feel free to download the song or even post it on your own site if you like it and want to share it with others. And if you want to do something commercial with it, just e-mail me and we can work out a donation to a worthy Scots cause. :-)

Finally, let me express my deep gratitude to the musicians who donated their talents in the recording of this song -- our amazing wee fiddler (and Dumfries native) Patric Petrie; world-champion Scots snare drummer Eli Fugate; good friend and studio wizard Pete Harrison on bass; and my beloved Alex, a member of the coming generation to which we owe a world of justice, and peace.

Thanks for listening -- may we all live to see the free soil of Scotland!

Much love, Jeanne

Credits:

Alex McDougall, bodhran
Patric Petrie, fiddle
Eli Fugate, snare drum
Pete Harrison, bass
Jeanne McDougall, vocals/whistle/guitar

Thanks to Pete Connolly, Kathleen and Robert Burns, David Lindquist and Howard Bertin for their support in the recording of this song.

Lyrics

A man's still a man to me
Arbroath made it right to be free
The voices of freedom are calling to me
Saying stand for the free soil of Scotland

Be it land of your heart, or the land of your birth
It was right from the start, and it spread o'er the Earth
Their voices live in us and cry to be free
Saying stand for the free soil of Scotland

The Bruce, brave Wallace, Dundee
I still hear them calling to me
Their voices cry freedom and ring to the sea
Saying stand for the free soil of Scotland

Be it land of your heart, or the land of your birth
They can't keep us apart, though we live o'er the Earth
We've a right to the land and a right to be free
I will stand for the free soil of Scotland

The past, it calls to me
To honor that brave legacy
When the voices cry freedom, I know where I'll be
I will stand for the free soil of Scotland

Be it land of your heart, or the land of your birth
We will ne'er be apart, though we live o'er the Earth
My heart is for Scotland and my spirit is free
I will stand for the free soil of Scotland

Be it land of your heart, or the land of your birth
They can't keep us apart, though we live o'er the Earth
While my body draws breath I will live to be free
I will stand for the free soil of Scotland
I will rise for the free soil of Scotland
I will live for the free soil of Scotland
May we live ... to see the free soil of Scotland

It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom

- The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320