This song has been a favorite of mine since childhood, and it’s been continuously running through my brain since we arrived in the Highlands.
A SCOTTISH SOLDIER
By Andy Stewart
There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier
Who wandered far away and soldiered far away
There was none bolder with good broad shoulder
He fought many affray, and fought and wonHe’d seen the glory, he’d told the story
Of battles glorious and deeds victorious
But now he’s sighing, his heart is crying
To leave those green hills of TyrolBecause those green hills are not highland hills
Or the island hills, they’re not my land’s hills
And fair as these green foreign hills may be
They are not the hills of homeAnd now this soldier, this Scottish soldier
Who wandered far away and soldiered far away
Sees leaves are falling, and death is calling
And he will fade away in that far landHe called his piper, his trusty piper
And bade him sound a lay
A pibroch sad to play
Upon a hillside, a Scottish hillside
Not on those green hills of TyrolBecause those green hills are not highland hills
Or the island hills, they’re not my land’s hills
And fair as these green foreign hills may be
They are not the hills of homeAnd now this soldier, this Scottish soldier
Will wander far no more and soldier far no more
And on a hillside, a Scottish hillside
You’ll see a piper play his soldier homeHe’s seen the glory, he’s told the story
Of battles glorious and deeds victorious
The bugle’s ceased now, he is at peace now
Far from those green hills of TyrolBecause those green hills are not highland hills
Or the island hills, they’re not my land’s hills
And fair as these green foreign hills may be
They are not the hills of home
Categories: Europe, Scotland, Thoughts on the Road
365 Days on the Road 
Thank’s Becci it is now running a nonstop loop in my head
Mum
Personally these lyrics mirror my interpretation of Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”. During last night’s concert, the jingoistic-completely-missing-the-point-celebratory reaction of the audience almost sickened. Imagine if he’d called the song “An American Soldier” instead…