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
Turning Away
Dougie MacLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In daylight we're oblivion
Our hearts so raw and clear
Are turning away, turning away from here
On the water we have walked
Like the fearless child
What was fastened we've unlocked
And in search of confirmation
We have jumped into the fire
And scrambled with our burning feet
Through uncontrolled desire
Chorus
There's a well upon the hill
From our ancient past
Where an age is standing still
Holding strong and fast
And there's those that try to tame it
And to carve it into stone
Ah but words cannot extinguish it
However hard they're thrown
Chorus
On Loch Etive they have worked
With their highland dreams
By Kilcrennan they have nourished
In the mountain streams
And in searching for acceptance
They had given it away
Only the children of their children
Know the price they had to pay
Chorus
The chorus in Dougie MacLean's "Turning Away" speaks to the duality of human life - in the darkness, we do what we can, and in the daylight, we are oblivion. Our hearts are raw and clear, yet we are turning away from something. This turning away could represent a physical or metaphorical movement away from something that once held value. It may be a conscious choice or a subconscious act. The use of the word "oblivion" suggests ignorance or a lack of awareness of what is happening around us. The contrast between darkness and daylight emphasizes the idea that we have the power to act in different ways depending on the circumstances. The final line of the chorus, "turning away from here," creates a sense of distance or separation between the singer and whatever is being turned away from.
The verses in "Turning Away" use nature as a metaphor for human experience. The singer describes walking on water like a fearless child, unlocking what was fastened and revealing something wondrous and wild. This suggests that through curiosity and exploration, we can uncover new aspects of ourselves and the world around us. The next lines, "And in search of confirmation / We have jumped into the fire," suggests that this search for knowledge or understanding can be painful or risky. The verse continues with the idea of uncontrolled desire, which could be both a catalyst for growth and a danger.
The final verse in "Turning Away" references a well on a hill from ancient times that holds strong despite attempts to control or tame it. This may represent human nature, something that remains constant even as we try to shape and change it. The reference to Loch Etive and Kilcrennan and the people who worked and nourished the land suggests a connection to the earth and our ancestors. The price they had to pay for acceptance may refer to the sacrifices that have been made in the pursuit of progress or to conform to societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Chorus
In difficult times, we do our best to survive. In easy times, we forget about our troubles, for now. We are feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, and we are distancing ourselves from our surroundings, trying to avoid any more pain.
On the water we have walked
We have taken life's journey on foot, just like children, with nothing much to fear, just excitement and curiosity. We've undone things we thought were indestructible, and what we've uncovered has been magical.
Like the fearless child
Our approach to life is like that of an innocent child, unafraid of the challenges ahead, seeing the world with fresh eyes.
What was fastened we've unlocked
We've undone barriers and difficulties that we previously thought were impossible or insurmountable.
Revealing wond'rous wild
What has been revealed is a world of wonder, of new things waiting to be discovered and experienced.
And in search of confirmation
We crave verification that we're on the right path, that what we're doing is meaningful and fulfilling.
We have jumped into the fire
We've taken risks, embraced the unknown, and stepped into the fiery furnace of uncertainty.
And scrambled with our burning feet
We've moved quickly, with passion, and a sense of urgency, our feet figuratively burning in the rush to experience everything.
Through uncontrolled desire
Our yearning for satisfaction and a sense of purpose drives us forward, leading us through situations that may be out of our control.
Chorus
In difficult times, we do our best to survive. In easy times, we forget about our troubles, for now. We are feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, and we are distancing ourselves from our surroundings, trying to avoid any more pain.
There's a well upon the hill
There's something deep and meaningful in our history that stands the test of time. Something that has witnessed the passage of ages, still standing strong and true.
From our ancient past
Something that has come down to us from the depths of time, echoing through the ages.
Where an age is standing still
Where time seems to have stopped, and we can catch a glimpse of what once was.
Holding strong and fast
What's there is holding true, and will not yield or crumble.
And there's those that try to tame it
People try to bend it to their will, to make it fit their own agenda, to change it into something it's not.
And to carve it into stone
They try to make it permanent, to immortalize it in some way.
Ah but words cannot extinguish it
But no matter how hard they try, the powerful essence of what's there cannot be changed by mere words or actions.
However hard they're thrown
No matter how much hate or anger is thrown at it, it remains strong and steadfast.
Chorus
In difficult times, we do our best to survive. In easy times, we forget about our troubles, for now. We are feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, and we are distancing ourselves from our surroundings, trying to avoid any more pain.
On Loch Etive they have worked
In a specific place, people have lived and toiled, working and striving to build a better life.
With their highland dreams
Dreaming about a better future, full of hope, and beauty, and freedom.
By Kilcrennan they have nourished
By tending to the needs of the land and the people, they have brought growth and sustenance.
In the mountain streams
Nature has shown them how to live off the land's abundance, providing them with the tools to sustain themselves.
And in searching for acceptance
Looking for a place to belong, an identity, a sense of purpose and meaning.
They had given it away
But in the act of seeking acceptance, they had lost something precious, something that they had given away willingly and freely.
Only the children of their children
Only the new generation could look back with amazement and remembrance of what was once their heritage.
Know the price they had to pay
Only they knew how much their grandparents and parents had to struggle and sacrifice to give them the gift of the present.
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.