They toured the west coast of Ireland in 2004 with such performers as Frankie Gavin and Sharon Shannon, receiving numerous good reviews by the local press.
They have released two albums so far: Na Fianna - Music and Songs from Ireland and Na Fianna - Flamin' Tunes.
The current lineup includes:
Alejandro Sganga (Fiddle, Vocals, Mandolin)
Gabriel Irisarri (Tenor Banjo, Irish Bouzouky, Mandolin)
Ronnie Clarke (Accordion, Concertina)
Xandru Reguera (Guitar)
Matias Espinosa (Flute, Tin-Whistles)
Caledonia
Na Fianna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The changes 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've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you′re calling me, now I′m going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I′ve ever had
Now I have moved 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 fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there′s no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I′m going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Now I′m sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames have cooled, don′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 hands have shaken, the kisses float
Then I will disappear
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you′re calling me, now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia′s been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I′ve ever had
Caledonia′s been everything I've ever had
Caledonia′s been everything I've ever had
The lyrics of Na Fianna’s song "Caledonia" describe the experiences of someone who has wandered far from home but is now drawn back by a powerful sense of longing for their roots. The first verse suggests feelings of uncertainty and disorientation, as the singer acknowledges changes within themselves and worries that they may have drifted too far from where they belong. They find comfort, however, in revisiting old stories and songs that call to mind their homeland and their past. By the chorus, it is clear that the singer feels a strong emotional attachment to the place they come from, as they sing lovingly of Scotland and the way that it beckons them home. The second verse speaks to a sense of personal growth and transformation that has come from traveling and proving oneself in the world. The singer acknowledges the losses they have experienced along the way, but also celebrates the new connections they have made and the challenges they have overcome. Ultimately, though, it is the pull of home that remains strongest in the singer’s heart. As the song draws to a close, they sit by the fire and reflect on their past and their future, resolved to make their way back to the place that has always been "everything" to them.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if you can see
I'm unsure if you can perceive the changes in me.
The changes that have come over me
I have undergone significant transformations.
In these last few days I've been afraid
Recently, I've experienced fear.
That I might drift away
I worry that I may lose my sense of self.
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
To remember who I am, I recount tales from my past and sing tunes that evoke memories.
That make me think about where I've come from
My nostalgia for my roots prompts me to ponder my origins.
That's the reason why I seem
This is why I appear
So far away today
distant and estranged today
Let me tell you that I love you
I want to express my love for you
That I think about you all the time
You are always on my mind.
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home
Caledonia, my Scottish homeland, is beckoning me back.
But if I should become a stranger
In the event that I become a stranger to you
Know that it would make me more than sad
It would cause me great emotional distress.
Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
I have traveled extensively.
Proved the points that I needed proving
I have accomplished the goals I needed to achieve.
Lost the friends that I needed losing
I have had to let go of friendships that were not beneficial to me.
Found others on the way
Along the way, I have made new friends.
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
I have had romantic encounters that have ended in sorrow.
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have taken opportunities away from others.
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
I have traveled extensively, occasionally with a sense of guilt.
Somewhere with the wind
Traveling wherever the wind blows me.
Now I'm sitting here before the fire
I am currently seated by the fire.
The empty room, the forest choir
The room is vacant, all I hear is the sound of the trees outside.
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher
The fire has lowered and is no longer growing.
They've withered, now they've gone
The flames have diminished to nothing.
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear
My thoughts are focused and my path is evident.
And I know what I will do tomorrow
I have a clear plan for tomorrow.
When hands have shaken, the kisses float
After exchanging handshakes and kisses
Then I will disappear
I will leave without a trace.
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
My Scottish homeland has been my entire world.
Writer(s): Dougie Maclean
Contributed by James E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.