Scotland’s national anthem in EM 2021: it’s really just the unofficial song

It’s in play: the national anthem. In the case of Scotland, however, it is not the official song that will be used at the 2021 European Championship.

Glasgow – National Anthem: This is a welcome guest, especially at sporting events. Before football games, it often gives you goosebumps – both for the players and fans in the stadium and for the spectators on the TV set. In EM 2021, of course, especially because: for the first time in a long time, arenas have been at least partially refilled.

Some nations feel that the national anthem has more meaning than anywhere else in the world. And it’s certainly the same on the island. The British and Irish are known to be music lovers anyway. They especially like to sing in stadiums, and it was here that the first fan chants were written. In the case of Scotland, the national anthem has a completely different scope. Because the song sung on EM, for example, isn’t actually the country’s official anthem.

The official national anthem of Scotland is actually “God Save the Queen”.

In form of? It is relatively simple to explain: Scotland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There is an anthem for all citizens, “God Save the Queen” – the song that the English national football team sings before their game.

But it has now become common practice in other British countries like Scotland to sing their song on festive occasions. And that’s why the Scottish “hymn” is a bit more modern and melodic. Because the song comes from the 1960s Scottish folk band “The Cories”.

The song was later discovered by rugby fans and used repeatedly as a “substitute anthem” to give their team more freedom. After all, the players also wanted the same. Football players have been singing their own anthem since 1997. Anyone who has made Scots proud knows: they love their country – and have always fought for it. The text of the unofficial Scottish national anthem “Flower of Scotland” is about:

EM 2021: National Anthem of Scotland – recitation of “Flower of Scotland”

o flowers of scotland
when will we see
your choice again,
For which fought and died,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
and stood against him,
Proud Edward’s army,
and sent him home,
Tai think again.

Those days are over now,
and in the past
they should stay
But we can still rise,
To become a nation again,
who stood against him,
Proud Edward’s army,
and sent him home,
Tai think again.

In German:

O flower of Scotland,
when will we be back
look like you
you who fought and died
For your little hill and valley;
and disregard
For the proud Edward’s army
and sent him home
so that he may think about it.

those days are over
and past
do you want to stay
and yet we can rise
to become that nation again
that disregard
For the proud Edward’s army
and sent him home
so that he may think about it.

Scotland’s national anthem: “Flower of Scotland” often interpreted by well-known artists

Earlier only the first stanza of the song was played, now it is the first and third. The song is about young Scots, the “head of the country”, who once set out to defend their country against the English king Edward. The song is often performed by well-known national artists at soccer games, usually in Glasgow, the soccer stronghold of Scotland. One of the most popular versions is that of singer Amy McDonald, who has now been viewed millions of times on Youtube.

In addition to “Flowers of Scotland”, which is sung in most cases – such as at the European Championships – there are two other unofficial national anthems: “Scotland is the Brave” and “Scotland is what”. (AKL)