Dan McCafferty was forced to retire in September 2013 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a chronic condition that severely restricts the afflicted’s ability to breathe. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, “it has gotten worse lately, and after trying to play a festival in Switzerland last weekend, Dan found it impossible to continue after performing only three songs. In the dressing room afterwards, he told the band that he couldn’t go on any longer.”
McCafferty may try to record in the studio since he can sing in 10-minute bursts.
The original and longtime vocalist for Nazareth, Dan McCafferty, died Nov. 8, 2022 at the age of 76.
Nazareth was a prolific classic rock act, at their peak in the 70's and early 80's. They released 23 albums, and McCafferty was a part of every one of them. Their 1974 cover of "Love Hurts" was their biggest song. McCafferty left the band in and released a solo album in 2019.
His former bandmate and bassist for Nazareth, Pete Agnew, memorialized him on social media. "Dan died at 12:40 today (Nov. 8). This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make. Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Too upset to say anything more at this time. - Pete."
Caledonia
Dan McCafferty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the harbor of Crail he went sailing
And his first born son left the rolling sea
Went into the earth to make his living
No light of the sun did he ever see
And the coal it broke and scarred him
And in his heart was the chilling fear
That same day the mine would take him
On a foreign field he was taken
And the pension left in his daughter's hand
Had to love and feed the children
Oh Caledonia
Caledonia
Oh Caledonia
She quartered at a Rose Street Inn
She favored the capitals gentlemen
And from shame she saved the family name
Made a husband of a lover
From their union come a rhyming man
With his band he crossed the oceon
And the pride of Caledonio
Made his name
Oh Caledonia
Caledonia
Oh Caledonia
Caledonia
In the song "Caledonia" by Dan McCafferty, the lyrics speak to the struggles and triumphs that the people of Scotland have faced. The song tells the story of a man, who is the first born son of a fisherman from the harbor of Crail. Although the man leaves the sea to work in the coal mines, he still remains haunted by the fear that he will die in the mine. However, the man goes onto fight in a foreign war as a member of the H.L.I. (Highland Light Infantry) and leaves behind a pension for his daughter to care for his family. This shows the sacrifices and struggles that the people of Scotland have experienced to provide for their families, often having to go to war or work in dangerous jobs.
The song also tells the story of a woman who works at a Rose Street Inn and falls in love with a gentleman from the capital. She eventually marries him and gives birth to a son who becomes a successful musician, with his band crossing the ocean and making a name for himself. This story speaks to the resilience of the Scottish people, how they are able to rise above shame and hardship, and how their children are often able to achieve success in seemingly impossible situations.
Overall, "Caledonia" is a powerful and emotional tribute to the people of Scotland, highlighting their struggle, sacrifice, and triumph. It is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and how music can be used to honor the stories of those who have come before us.
Line by Line Meaning
From the loins of a fisherman
The person in the song is descended from generations of fishermen
From the harbor of Crail he went sailing
He left his hometown of Crail by boat to set out on a journey
And his first born son left the rolling sea
His son chose to leave the family tradition of fishing on the sea
Went into the earth to make his living
He went to work in a coal mine to make a living
No light of the sun did he ever see
He worked underground in the coal mine without seeing daylight
And the coal it broke and scarred him
The coal mining work physically and mentally harmed him
And in his heart was the chilling fear
He was afraid that he would die in the mine like many others before him
That same day the mine would take him
He felt that his life was always in danger while working in the mine
But far freedom's fight in the H.L.I.
He fought for his country's freedom as a member of the Highland Light Infantry
On a foreign field he was taken
He was killed while fighting abroad for his country
And the pension left in his daughter's hand
After his death, his daughter was left with a pension to support their family
Had to love and feed the children
She had to take care of the family, including the children, after her father's death
Oh Caledonia
The song is about Scotland, commonly referred to by its Latin name Caledonia
Caledonia
A repetition of the song's main theme and title
She quartered at a Rose Street Inn
The singer's mother worked as a maid or servant at an inn on Rose Street
She favored the capitals gentlemen
She interacted with wealthier men who stayed at the inn
And from shame she saved the family name
She helped to preserve the family's reputation despite their struggles
Made a husband of a lover
She got married to a man who was once just her lover
From their union come a rhyming man
The singer is the result of that marriage and is known for his skill with words and rhyming
With his band he crossed the oceon
He traveled to different countries with his musical group
And the pride of Caledonio
He proudly represented Scotland in his travels and music career
Made his name
His talent and hard work earned him a reputation and success in the music industry
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dan McCafferty (non Mountain title, Peter Agnew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pedra Bruta
Linda como todas as músicas do Dan MacCafferty! Essa voz é abençoada!
Maria Aparecida Marquezane teodoro
Esse Dan é o maior da história do rock que já tivemos e que temos que Deus o proteja
1978domy
caledonia nos dio el mejor cantante del MUNDO el GRAN DAN MCCAFFERTY
Rafed Thomas Dakhlaoui
Great Song-Great Voice!
Anybody´s got the Lyrics of Caledonia?
Raymond JEAN
Got the goosebumps listening to that song... And I'm not even Scottish. Bravo Dan
Юра Михайлов
Божественная тема
ACERAMGAD
God Bless the Fisherman and the Miners! Electricians and Truckers of the world! ...etc!
Iraci Farias
Esse é incomparável ILOVE DAN NAZARETH.
ACERAMGAD
Fistful of Frags brought me here! PoW!