Caledonia
Frankie Miller Lyrics
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that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid that
I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs that make me
think about where I come from
And that's the reason why I seem so far away today
Let me tell you that I love you and I think
about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me and now I'm going home
For if I should become a stranger you know that it would
make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
I have moved on and I've kept on moving - proved the points
that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing - found others
on the way
I have kissed the ladies and left them crying - stolen
dreams, yes there's no denying
I have travelled hard, sometimes with conscience flying,
somewhere with the wind (Ch)
Now I'm sitting here before the fire, the empty room,
the forest choir
The flames that couldn't get any higher - they've withered
now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear and I know
what I will do tomorrow
When the hands have shaken and the kisses flowed
then I will disappear
Frankie Miller's "Caledonia" is a poignant and introspective song about finding one's way back home. The lyrics speak of a man who has gone through a period of change in his life and feels disconnected from himself and his past. He reminisces about his old stories and songs that remind him of where he comes from, yet also acknowledges that he has moved on and made new experiences, both good and bad. Despite all this, he knows that his heart is calling him back to his homeland, to the place where he truly belongs.
The chorus is a declaration of love and longing for his home. He fears becoming a stranger, disconnected from the place that has been everything to him. The second verse speaks of his travels, the lessons learned, the good and the bad. The song ends with him sitting before the fire, reflecting on his journey and his plan to return home, where he will disappear and be with the one he loves.
Overall, "Caledonia" is a song about searching for meaning and belonging, and ultimately finding solace in one's roots.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if you can see the changes
Uncertain if others can perceive the changes that have taken place within myself
that have come over me
that have affected me deeply
In these last few days I've been afraid that
Recently, I've been fearful that
I might drift away
I could lose sight of who I really am
I've been telling old stories, singing songs that make me
Sharing tales and tunes that prompt me
think about where I come from
To contemplate my place of origin
And that's the reason why I seem so far away today
Hence, I may appear distant now
Chorus
Repeating lines to emphasize a message
Let me tell you that I love you and I think
Allow me to express my devotion and the fact that
about you all the time
You're constantly on my mind
Caledonia, you're calling me and now I'm going home
My beloved hometown is beckoning and I shall return
For if I should become a stranger you know that it would
If I should lose familiarity, understand that it would
make me more than sad
Grieve me immensely
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
My cherished homeland has been my whole world
I have moved on and I've kept on moving - proved the points
I have progressed and demonstrated my worth, showing that
that I needed proving
I had something to prove
Lost the friends that I needed losing - found others
Let go of acquaintances that were holding me back - encountered others
on the way
During my journey
I have kissed the ladies and left them crying - stolen
I've romanced women and disappointed them - taken
dreams, yes there's no denying
Their aspirations, it's undeniable
I have travelled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
I've voyaged extensively, occasionally guilt-free
somewhere with the wind
Going wherever fate takes me
Now I'm sitting here before the fire, the empty room,
Now I find myself here, in front of the hearth, in an empty chamber,
the forest choir
Amidst the sounds of the forest
The flames that couldn't get any higher - they've withered
The flames that were once brimming, now subdued
now they've gone
Have burnt out completely
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear and I know
My thoughts are composed, I am steadfast and I realize
what I will do tomorrow
What actions I shall take tomorrow
When the hands have shaken and the kisses flowed
When the handshakes and affectionate gestures are done
then I will disappear
Then I will depart without a trace
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@margaretwilson1539
I'm Scottish and proud of it.. Thank you Dougie and Frankie for this version. Perfection.... 👍👍🎙
@susangillespie464
Four months ago, this song played as I carried my youngest brother on his final journey. He was a very proud Scotsman.
@werdnanodrog6811
Sitting here a grown man welling up. I've been living overseas for over 20 years. I need to get back. My heart and soul are in Scotland.
@Weemac1
Aw come hame 🏴😁🏴
@scottmclelland9322
i came back not long after your left , i did ten years abroad, ill never do it again
@paulmaplonker297
Get bac her ya tadger ,it’s your round 🥃
@Winter-gf9nt
Frankie may not have written Caledonia but no one can sing it like he can , best version by far 🏴
@dougiesmith6066
We need tae push for that tae be the Anthem,Nowadays,Flower is singin aboot fighting! Wars hunners a years ago!!🏴😎Caledonia is mare aboot the love o yer actual Country.Listen tae it first….???😎👊🏴
@Winter-gf9nt
@@dougiesmith6066 couldn't agree more Dougie, FOS is and always will be an anthem but times have changed and our anthem should change with the times, its outdated now for its purpose. Its not even an official anthem as in the past Scotland the brave has been used for sporting events etc.
I may be a little biased towards this track as Frankie is my late mother's cousin so my 2nd cousin though I've never met him ( a wee claim to fame lol).
Anyway like I said Frankie didn't write this Dougie McLean did and as you said it's about love, of your country, of your nationality and your fellow Scots regardless of heritage. They often play it at murrayfield before the match starts and before the anthems and the crowd loved it when I was there once to see us play the all blacks. I felt so proud for my mother and wished she'd been able to witness her wee cousins voice blasting over the speakers as a Chinook helicopter flew over the stadium, dropped some ropes then some military people absailed down with the match ball to present it to the Scottish captain before it flew away.
Dougie wrote it but Frankie sings it like no other and really gets the pride in all Scots flowing through the veins 🏴
@evelynmcshane4143
@@Winter-gf9nt Absolutely agree ❤❤