Craig Herbertson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to a family whose musical … Read Full Bio ↴Craig Herbertson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to a family whose musical traditions stretch back across the generations. Principally known as a singer of Scots and Irish songs, Craig is also an accomplished guitarist with a repertoire of music stretching from Jazz to folk.

Son of a Jazz trumpeter Craig was introduced early to Swing music. His uncle played in a Skiffle band, his grandparents had performed in theater and vaudeville on one side and on the other were self taught musicians and folk singers.

In the early days Craig Herbertson played in experimental bands including the Scottish New Wave band 'The Androids' reviewed in NME with air play on BBC Radio 1.

Later he rediscovered his folk roots, playing with a variety of bands including 'The Keltix whose songs were featured on BBC radio and television.

Craig picked up experience busking in Europe and America, from the Paris Metro to Riverboats on the Mississippi, during which time he learned fiddle, mandolin, banjo, penny whistle and piano.

In 2004 he hit number 20 in the BBC Indie charts with 'Hearts of Glory'

In 2011 Craig was awarded second prize in the category “Best Folk Rock Singer” of the 'Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis'.

As well as music he is also a critically acclaimed fantasy and horror author.

The Wallace
Craig Herbertson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Winter she mourns spring
In bridal wreath and veil
Autumn gold, summer brings
Fortune he prevails
In love's embrace bright seasons court
As lives of men they change
To fade and fall as flowers fail
And Winter rule again

For our freedom lay the wild, wild flower
Women weep in vain
Softly falls the gentle snow
Wallace he is slain

Winter she sews shrouds
O'er Falkirk's bloody plains
Masques o' death o'er all abound
To waste her own domain
What king or queen shall not defend
Braver hearts must claim
Or freedom fall as flowers fail
And winter rule again

For our freedom lay the wild, wild flowers
Women weep in vain

Softly falls the gentle snow
Wallace he is slain

Overall Meaning

The Wallace by Craig Herbertson is a poignant ballad that speaks about the cycle of life and death, the changing seasons, and the struggle for freedom. The opening lines speak of the changing seasons, where winter mourns the arrival of spring, and summer brings fortune. In the backdrop of the changing seasons, people's lives also transform, love is found, and lost, and the cycle repeats itself, just like the flowers that bloom and fade away. The suggestion is that humans are living their lives just as flowers do, and in the end, everything falls away, only to be repeated again.

The song then moves on to talk about a particular instance - the death of William Wallace, a Scottish knight who fought for Scotland's independence from England in the 13th century. The song reiterates that Wallace's death was not in vain, as the freedom of the Scottish people was ensured for years to come. The second verse speaks of the bloodshed and violence that was a part of the war. Winter, the queen of the seasons, sews shrouds over the battlefield at Falkirk, indicating that death had won the day, and the specter of winter loomed large once again.

Overall, The Wallace is a powerful song that speaks to the human condition, the passing of time, and the never-ending struggle for freedom, using the backdrop of the Scottish War of Independence to drive home its point.

Line by Line Meaning

Winter she mourns spring
Winter grieves for the spring

In bridal wreath and veil
As if dressed in wedding attire

Autumn gold, summer brings
Summer brings riches of autumn

Fortune he prevails
Luck is in his favor

In love's embrace bright seasons court
The changing seasons court each other

As lives of men they change
Human lives undergo changes

To fade and fall as flowers fail
Like flowers, they wither and die

And Winter rule again
And Winter will once again be in power

For our freedom lay the wild, wild flower
Our freedom lay in the hands of the wild flower

Women weep in vain
Women cry for nothing

Softly falls the gentle snow
The snow falls gently