John Watt Poet Lyric

Notes About The Poem

Scottish Hearts Are Singing

I love your heathered highlands,
steep cliffs and rugged islands,
hedges and gardens under
rainclouds of grey.
Old steeples rise above
those small rural towns I love;
your hillsides of sunny yellow,
rolled bales of hay.

	Pipers will play their part
	stirring each Scottish heart
	binding together a nation
	drenched with pride.
	"Scotland the Brave" is ringing,
	dancers are highland flinging -
	proud Scottish hearts are singing,
	joy wells inside.
	
O, highland games of yore
with racers and tug-of-war,
the cabers are tossed asunder
by mighty men.
I love your farmlands rustic,
mountains and lochs majestic,
as kilts of many tartans
hike through the glen.

	Pipers will play their part
	stirring each Scottish heart
	binding together a nation
	drenched with pride.
	"Scotland the Brave" is ringing,
	dancers are highland flinging -
	proud Scottish hearts are singing,
	joy wells inside.
	
Castles with ancient hist'ry,
Celt runes of ancient myst'ry,
we sing an "Auld Lang Syne"
and toast Robbie Burns.
Clans clad in plaid will whistle
fondly of Lion and Thistle,
dressing with tartan kilts
their wee bonnie bairns.

	Hands high, your dancers dance -
	crossed swords, I'm in a trance,
	pipes heard for miles
	with that old familiar blare.
	St. Andrews' cross - the flag is
	don't ask what's in the haggis!
	Just eat your shortbread
	and be glad you were there.
	
//These reflect some of my favorite memories from the 6 months I lived in Scotland, in 1990. I miss her dearly and hope I may be able to return some day. These words may be sung to "Scotland the Brave", a beloved anthem of Scottish national pride. You can hear it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzK2PWVQYX0 
The tempo of this recording is much faster than I prefer, but I include it here in case you have never had a chance to hear this wonderful patriotic song. //

Written 24 Mar 2021

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Gary Radice July 25, 2022 at 12:40 AM I love Scotland and all things Scotland (except, like you, the haggis) and absolutely love this picture postcard formed by your words John. Cheers - Gary John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:15 PM Glad to see ye take the boat ride up the Firth of Forth with me, my friend! Thank you for the bonnie comment. See ye efter, bye fer noo ~ Ian

Gregory Richard Barden June 17, 2021 at 7:17 AM Wonderful lyrics, John ... lost your muse?? I think not ... you're just on break! ;o) On another tack, this is a favorite topic of mine, and I have a number of poems and a short-story beginning about the highlands ... "the Highlands of Scotland, deep in the night on a murky brae ..." Sorry, waxing "Brigadoon" ... I couldn't help it, lol. Great stuff!! John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:17 PM Thank you, my friend

Jennifer Fenn April 17, 2021 at 9:48 PM Congrats on Best New Poem. With all your imagery, you put me right there in Scotland. It makes me want to go there for real! John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:18 PM Appreciate the kind visit to Scotland with me, Jennifer

Connie Marcum Wong April 14, 2021 at 12:44 PM I had to fave your wonderful celebration of Scotland and her endearing flavors John. This is certainly deserving of your Trophy win. Congratulations my friend. I am just now reading this. I felt the love you shared with your words of praise. I hope you are well. Blessings xxoo John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:19 PM Thank you for the visit and fave, my friend

Joanna Daniel April 10, 2021 at 2:43 AM An excellent lyric describing Scotland's beauty, John, many congratulations on your trophy win:) John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:20 PM Thank you very much, Jo

Jennifer Proxenos April 5, 2021 at 12:07 PM John superb poetry brilliant write, you write this poem as if you have lived there all your life, I can sense their pride in their country and culture through your words. Congratulations on your win my friend this write is outstanding and you so deserved to win, may your wish come true that you return to Scotland. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. John Watt July 25, 2022 at 7:24 PM Thank you Jenn, I do hope to return someday. Blessings and hugs ~ John

Beata Agustin March 30, 2021 at 10:37 PM Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... very informative in your excellent poetic rendition. God bless you. John Watt March 31, 2021 at 10:10 AM Thank you, dear friend. May God's blessings fill your day. Grace and peace, John

Evelyn Swartz March 30, 2021 at 8:14 PM Great poem. Congratulations on the win John Watt March 31, 2021 at 10:09 AM Thank you Evelyn! It's nice to meet you here at Poetry Soup. ~ John

Paula Goldsmith March 30, 2021 at 11:04 AM Congratulations for your win. WOW!!! What a story/write and notes. Sounds like a wonderful place. I can see why you want to go back. Have a blessed day as you dream about Scotland. John Watt March 31, 2021 at 10:09 AM Thank you for the kind words, Paula. It really was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Enjoy your day ~ John

Krish Radhakrishna March 29, 2021 at 2:54 PM Amazing work John! fabulous! That poem has so much about scotland. I visit once a year to do some teaching there! love the place! lot of whisky( I dont drink but in Scotland I taste a bit of their local brew so they dont get offended!) Loc Ness! castles and the wonderful accent I am very fond of!! John Watt March 31, 2021 at 10:08 AM Aye, you've hit many of my high points as well, Krish. If you are ever there in summer, I recommend getting a ticket to the Edinburgh tattoo. Thanks for the great comment, and enjoy your next trip to Scotland!

Tom Cunningham March 29, 2021 at 8:53 AM Back with well deserved congrats laddie, ye'll be avin a wee dram to celebrate yer win. Tom John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:41 AM Tom, aye a wee dram would taste barry on this Monday workday. Thanks for the repeat visit, my good friend... what a lovely encourager ye be. Lang may yer lum reek ~ John

Michelle Faulkner March 28, 2021 at 8:47 PM What a stirring, magnificent song of Scotland, I really love 'Pipers will play their part/stirring each Scottish heart' - (are you Scottish?) many congratulations for your glorious win! So glad to see a new poem from you :) John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:27 AM Hi Michelle, yes I am Scottish. I have family connections to the James Watt from Glasgow who perfected the steam engine and was honoured with his name becoming the unit of power. Thank you for your heartwarming and encouraging words, as well as mentioning the specific line you were drawn to. Enjoy your day, dear friend ~ John

Sam Kauffman March 28, 2021 at 9:34 AM John, this is a wonderful birds eye view of Scotland - beautifully done. You have captured, per usual, the flavor of your theme and Scottish national pride! Love the meter that matches the song. Raise the Scottish flag - do a fling - enjoy the shortbread in the seventh inning stretch! Congratulations! Blessings dear friend! No haggis though! John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:24 AM Sam, I will do a highland fling only in the privacy of my home, as my dancing skills are somewhere near the bottom of my list of desirable attributes, lol! But I do celebrate sharing the podium with you and your remarkable and beautiful ode to Scotland. A bonnie day to you, dear lassie!

L Milton Hankins March 28, 2021 at 9:24 AM John, this is so beautiful! You deserved the first place in this contest. I love your poem. It really shows your love and devotion to Scotland. Congratulations! John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:21 AM Thank you for the kind congrats and lovely words, Milton. Hope you enjoy your day ~ John

Andrea Dietrich March 28, 2021 at 8:55 AM No wonder I missed it, I just noticed it got posted the 24th, which is about the last time I posted comments except for the other day (but I still have 25 poets to respond to!) John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:21 AM I'm only writing about a poem a month these days, so it doesn't make sense to check my site very often, lol. Thank you for being faithful and not giving up on me.

Andrea Dietrich March 28, 2021 at 8:54 AM wow, this is amazing, and even more amazing is that I MISSED ever seeing it, and also amazing is that only three won the contest, but NOT amazing, you were the top dog!!! Congratulations, dear friend. I've only been able to see London, and when we landed in Ireland for stopover, I only got a quick glimpse out the window and it was nothing to write home about!! John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:19 AM Dear friend, see my soupmail about this poem. You inspired me to grab my notebook and start writing this... thank you ~ John

Wendy Watson March 28, 2021 at 6:47 AM John, I sincerely hope that Julia re-read this accompanied by the suggested music if she didn't see the notes as a judge. It's wonderful and I've just been singing your lyrics to the joyous melodic background. Your obvious love of the country and innate musicality made this such a pleasure to read. John Watt March 29, 2021 at 10:05 AM Wendy, my heart is always warmed by your lovely comments. I imagine Scotland the Brave is better known in the UK than here in the States, so I included the link more for those outside the British Isles. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Enjoy your day ~ John

Linda Alice Fowler March 28, 2021 at 5:57 AM Ah, such memories. This is beautifully written John. My mother used to sing this wonderful song to me. The rhythm and imagery awesome. Congratulations! :) Linda John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:59 AM How nice to know you were raised on Scotland the Brave, such a powerful and wonderful song it is. To hear it on bagpipes in an open field is an otherworldly experience, it gives one chills. Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy your day ~ John

Regina Mcintosh March 28, 2021 at 5:22 AM back to congratulate you!!! Love to you and blessings too. Love, Gina John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:58 AM Thanks again Gina, I'm feeling the love. Much appreciated, dear friend. Keep writing and inspiring!

Julia Ward March 27, 2021 at 11:48 PM An excellent poem. Thank you for the honour of submitting it to my contest! Well done for the trophy win, John. John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:57 AM Thank you, Julia. What a wonderful surprise it was to see my name on your short list. You are a discriminating judge and the honour is heartwarming. Thank you for sponsoring yet another interesting contest ~ John

Regina Mcintosh March 25, 2021 at 10:46 AM WOW... this is great!!! I love it. You're sure to win the contest. I love love love this. God bless you always, sweet friend, love, Gina John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:54 AM Thank you, dear Gina. Your words bring a smile. God bless you this week. ~ John

Jenna Logan March 25, 2021 at 4:06 AM Your memories are not only beautiful, but enlightening, John. Scotland still tops my bucket list...one day. Your form and authenticity add great depth to your lyrical creation. John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:53 AM Jenna, I do hope you are able to check that off your bucket list. The culture, the landscape, the history, and the people are like nowhere else. Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy your day ~ John

Tom Cunningham March 25, 2021 at 3:12 AM A beautiful country that you discribe so well John, you have very fond memories of your time there. Ive been three times and loved every minute of it. Hope your week is going well and good luck in the contest. Tom John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:51 AM Thank you Tom. I have done little traveling in my life, so those memories of Scotland are especially vivid. Enjoy your day ~ John

Peter Rees March 25, 2021 at 1:48 AM An obviously heartfelt reflection on aspects of Scottish life. Keenly seen with touches of humour and realism that depict in well chosen words the diversity of this remarkable country. John Watt March 29, 2021 at 9:50 AM Thank you for your kind words, Peter. I'm glad you were able to pick up on how heartfelt these feelings are. Yes, what a remarkable country. Enjoy your day ~ John