Land o the leal. A devastating and beautiful song for the times

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Good medicine. Impeccably performed. This song was written in 1798 for a friend of a woman whose infant daughter had died. There are different versions. This is the one that played during the credits of Outlaw King. It is a haunting and comforting lullaby. I spent an hour listening to it, reading the lyrics, learning the unusual Scottish words and the chords. I cried, which is rare.

I was almost killed at work in 2016 and as of today I am out of numbing substances which is too bad. Two grandparents have died since my close call. My cousins husband died a few weeks ago just three months after his terminal diagnosis. I attended the funeral of an ex girlfriend who hanged herself around the same time. I’ve never encountered so much death. I’m stunned at the behavior of people during my injury and during the pandemic.

I think about the story in the song, the couple in 1798. I think of the woman writing verses for her friend. Generations have come and gone since then. Pandemics have come and gone. I’m grateful to have heard this song. Land o the leal. I’ll try not to cry through my own version when my 15 year old German Shepherd passes away. His hind legs are disintegrating. Old age happens too fast. “I’m wearin awa, John. Like snaw wreaths in thaw, John. I’m wearin’ awa. To the Land o the leal. . . “.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U795zzqDe5c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U795zzqDe5c)

I’m wearin’ awa’, John,
Like snaw-wreaths in thaw, John,
I’m wearin’ awa’
To the land o’ the leal.
There ‘s nae sorrow there, John,
There ‘s neither cauld nor care, John,
The day is aye fair
In the land o’ the leal.
Our bonnie bairn ‘s there, John,
She was baith gude and fair, John,
And O! we grudged her sair
To the land o’ the leal.
But sorrow’s sel’ wears past, John,
And joy’s a-coming fast, John,
The joy that’s aye to last
In the land o’ the leal.
Sae dear’s the joy was bought, John,
Sae free the battle fought, John,
That sinfu’ man e’er brought
To the land o’ the leal.

O, dry your glistening e’e, John!
My saul langs to be free, John,
And angels beckon me
To the land o’ the leal.
O, haud ye leal and true, John!
Your day it’s wearin’ through, John,
And I’ll welcome you
To the land o’ the leal.
Now fare-ye-weel, my ain John,
This warld’s cares are vain, John,
We’ll meet and we’ll be fain,
In the land o’ the leal.

awa’ = away
leal = loyal, faithful
aye = always
bairn = child
baith = both
sair = all one’s strength, greatly
fein = loving, affectionate

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