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
The Long Road
Dougie MacLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High up on some mountain with nothing to say
And time without meaning is making me sad
To think of the good times a friend and I once had
Someone is crying for somebody's pain is too much to bear
Someone is crying for pain which just isn't there
Tomorrow will be different I didn't really know
The long road's much shorter when you want to travel slow
Yes, the long road's much shorter when you want to travel slow
I don't believe you who call out in rhyme
You've got what you wanted now leave while there's time
No one will forgive you there's no one will dare
Your past is our future and it just isn't there
Friends that you need walk away when you cry
You don't want that much but they don't really try
And when you're not looking they'll all gather round
They'll pick all your flowers and dig all your ground
In Dougie MacLean's song The Long Road, the singer is feeling isolated and distant, as if he is separated from the world by being high up on a mountain. He reflects on how time seems meaningless, and how thinking back on the good times he shared with a friend makes him sad. The first two lines of the first verse set the tone for the mood of the entire song: a sense of loneliness and separation. The repetition of the phrase “someone is crying for…” in the second verse adds to the feeling of sadness and despair, as the singer feels powerless to help those who are hurting.
The third verse offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer acknowledges that things can change and that tomorrow might be different. He also suggests that taking the time to slow down and enjoy the journey can make the “long road” seem shorter. The final verse seems to be directed at someone else, possibly a former friend, who the singer believes has betrayed him. The line “your past is our future and it just isn't there” suggests that this person has let their past mistakes define their future, and that the singer cannot forgive them for it. The final two lines of the song are particularly poignant, as they suggest that even when we think we have friends who will support us, they will ultimately turn on us.
Overall, The Long Road is a sad and contemplative song, with an underlying message about the importance of forgiveness and the fleeting nature of friendships.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I feel so far away
Tonight, I am feeling distant emotionally and geographically.
High up on some mountain with nothing to say
I feel isolated and lonely like being at the top of a mountain without anything to express.
And time without meaning is making me sad
I am unhappy because I perceive that time is being wasted doing things that are meaningless.
To think of the good times a friend and I once had
Recalling the past happy moments shared with a friend brings back memories.
Someone is crying for somebody's pain is too much to bear
It is tough to see someone suffer, and therefore, someone cries out for assistance.
Someone is crying for pain which just isn't there
There are others who raise concerns about pain that doesn't exist.
Tomorrow will be different I didn't really know
The occurrences of unforeseen future events can abruptly alter things, and such surprises are bound to happen.
The long road's much shorter when you want to travel slow
Long journeys feel short when you take them slowly and enjoy to the fullest extent.
Yes, the long road's much shorter when you want to travel slow
Confirming the metaphorical statement made earlier that long roads are more enjoyable when traveled slowly.
I don't believe you who call out in rhyme
I'm skeptical of people who seem too perfect in their expressions and seem to be following a script.
You've got what you wanted now leave while there's time
Once you've reached your objectives, move on since there are other things for you to achieve.
No one will forgive you there's no one will dare
There's no one brave enough to forgive those who are guilty of wrongdoing.
Your past is our future and it just isn't there
Our future seems grim and nonexistent since we lack proper direction and guidance from our past.
Friends that you need walk away when you cry
People who you consider as friends, desert you when you get emotional and vulnerable.
You don't want that much but they don't really try
You don't expect too much from them yet they don't seem to make an effort to understand you.
And when you're not looking they'll all gather round
People pretend to care when you're unaware of what's happening around you.
They'll pick all your flowers and dig all your ground
They'll take advantage of you and plunder you for everything you possess while exploiting you.
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidhenry9054
I wonder how many other Scots, living abroad, just feel the need now and again to come back and watch this?
@lauraadamson66
Yip - 100%. It's bizarre - 20 years away but always with me. 'S e albannaich a th' ann!
@thaddiushelicon534
@@lauraadamson66 Absolutely - more than 40 years away and the desire has never left me.
@alastairduncan1222
Been awa since 95 this brings me to tears every time.
I'm currently in Guildford Slurrey bawling my eyes out and maudlin.
@lewysmacdonald2057
100%
@architectwmf
I'm Irish and love Scotland and everything Scottish, including Billy Connelly and The Corries.
We are indeed, kindred spirits
@klaus-peteralde6675
I was hearing this song for the first time in 2020 in Dublin in a Pub, being sung by a guy with so much passion that I was in tears because I had to think of my dad who passed away a year ago.
This year we went to Scotland for the first time and I (being german) finally completely understand the song. This really is a place to hang you heart on an we already long to return.
Thank you for composing this song and thank you unknown musician in the 'Cobblestone' in Dublin for singing the song and putting so much passion in it.
@kevinmccool3400
Well Hooe you enjoyed our country and hope you come back again 👍
@A3._coffie
My Grandpa's name is Doug. He passed away the 23rd of this month, 4 days ago. His funeral was yesterday. I was going through his Facebook last night when I found he linked this song, he listened to this a couple days after my grandma (his wife) passed back in 2018. She heard this song for the first time on her way to my grandpa's dad's funeral. She fell in love with it, and my grandpa loved it because she loved it.
This isn't the type of music I listen to, but it touches my soul in ways words can't describe.
@kevinmccool3400
Sitting here with tears in my eyes reading comments to this song and am Scottish, its a wee country bit full of passion ❤