MacLean began his career playing with the Tannahill Weavers in 1976. In the early '80s, he was briefly part of Silly Wizard. His solo career started in 1981. His first release was in 1983 with the album "Craigie Dhu", although he had already recorded other albums, such as "Snaigow" and "Fiddle", which were not released till much later. Perhaps his best-known track is "Caledonia", used for a Scottish Tourist Board advert, and very evocative of Scotland. Also well-known is "The Gael", from his 1990 album The Search, which was adapted by Trevor Jones as the main theme to the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans. MacLean's lyrics are fervently pro-Scottish; a recurring theme is the Highland Clearances. He also campaigns for the Aborigines and the native Americans.
MacLean lives in Dunkeld in Perthshire. The popular music bar in The Taybank Hotel, which displays MacLean ephemera and is a popular venue for folk music enthusiasts.
In 2011, MacLean was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
More info: www.dougiemaclean.com
Rescue Me
Dougie MacLean Lyrics
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Have buried the ways
The others have grown
And though sturdy and strong
His eyes open wide
With each new unknown
And oh it's for the earth that he screams in the night
But the troubled one he says
Rescue me, he says rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
Rescue me, he says rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
He says rescue me
And see these guilty hands
That envenom the soil
And take the like from his fields
But now these book reddened eyes
Have discovered the truth
And what it conceals
And oh it's for the earth that he screams in the night
He's a servant of the seasons and the morning's early light
But the troubled one he says
Rescue me, he says rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
Rescue me, he says rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
He says rescue me
And so the plough it will turn
And our hearts they will burn
For sair works nae easy
But oh this circle stone
And this buzzard dyke and this great unknown
It goes on and on into the distance of time
And oh it's for the earth that he screams in the night
We're servants of the seasons and the morning's early light
But the troubled ones they say
Rescue me, they say rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
Rescue me, they say rescue me
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
They say rescue me
The song "Rescue Me" by Dougie MacLean is about a farmer who is deeply connected to the land he works on. The lyrics describe how the farmer sees that the world around him is changing, but he still tries to hold on to the traditions and values he has learned from previous generations. The farmer feels overwhelmed by the destruction caused by progress and modernization, and he cries out for help.
The farmer feels guilty for the damage that he caused to the earth he farms on. He wants to make amends for his actions and to protect the earth from further harm. The farmer realizes that he can only find solace and clarity on the mountain, where he can see clearly the beauty and devastation in the world around him. The farmer is not alone in his pain; there are others who are also seeking help and looking for a way to save themselves from the destruction.
The song's lyrics are a poignant reminder that we must take care of the earth that we inhabit. The farmer's plea for rescue is a message to all of us that we can still make a difference by taking positive action and making changes in our lives to protect our planet.
Line by Line Meaning
Old layers of time
The past has been buried and forgotten
Have buried the ways
Traditions and customs have been lost in time
The others have grown
Society has changed and evolved over time
And though sturdy and strong
Despite being resilient and robust
His eyes open wide
He's constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences
With each new unknown
Embracing the uncertainties and learning from them
And see these guilty hands
Being responsible for damaging the environment
That envenom the soil
Contaminating the ground
And take the like from his fields
Ruining the crops and harvest
But now these book reddened eyes
Awareness and education have opened his eyes
Have discovered the truth
Uncovering the reality and consequences of his actions
And so the plough it will turn
Continuing to work the land despite the challenges
And our hearts they will burn
Feeling passionate and determined about the cause
For sair works nae easy
Working hard is not easy
But oh this circle stone
The symbol of ancient and endless cycles
And this buzzard dyke and this great unknown
The vast wilderness that surrounds us
It goes on and on into the distance of time
Nature and the consequences of our actions will continue for generations to come
And oh it's for the earth that he screams in the night
Feeling the pain and sorrow for the planet
He's a servant of the seasons and the morning's early light
Living in harmony with nature and its cycles
But the troubled one he says
Despite his good intentions, he still struggles and suffers
Rescue me, he says rescue me
Asking for help and support from others
On this mountain's the only place I can see clearly
Finding clarity and perspective in nature
They say rescue me
Others who are also struggling and seeking help
Contributed by James C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.