The regiment has its own Pipes and Drums, who tour widely and perform in competitions, concerts and parades. Their most famous piece is Amazing Grace, which reached number one in the charts in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada in 1972. The band released a new CD in late November 2007 through Universal Music, and features a number of classic pipe tunes along with some modern arrangements. The album named Spirit Of The Glen, was produced by Jon Cohen.
Caledonia
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Published by Limetree Arts and Music (MCPS and PRS UK)
I don't know if you can see the changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid that I might drift away
So I've been telling old stories, singing songs, that make me think about where I come from
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
But 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 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
Ive kssed the ladies, left them crying, stolen dreams, yes there's no denying
I have traveled hard sometimes with conscience flying somewhere in the wind
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 flow then I will disappear
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' song Caledonia depicts the emotional journey of the singer as he ponders the changes that have taken place in his life over the course of the past few days. He is afraid of falling away and losing his connection to his roots, which is why he keeps retelling old stories and singing songs that remind him of where he comes from. This is why he feels distant from the world today.
The song is a love letter to the singer's homeland, Caledonia, Scotland. He professes his love for it and dreams of going back home. Although he has left Caledonia and kept on moving, he has always carried it with him in his heart. But if he ever becomes a stranger to it, he knows that it would make him more than sad. Caledonia has been everything he ever had.
The final stanza finds the singer sitting before the fire, the empty room filled with the sounds of the forest choir. The flames have withered, and the singer is lost in thought about what he plans to do tomorrow. He knows that he will disappear when the hands have shaken and the kisses flow, which is left up to interpretation. Perhaps he means that he will simply slip back into his normal routine, or maybe he means something more profound.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know if you can see the changes that have come over me
I'm not sure if you notice the transformation I'm going through
In these last few days I've been afraid that I might drift away
Recently, I've felt worried that I might lose touch with my true self
So I've been telling old stories, singing songs, that make me think about where I come from
To stay grounded, I've been reminiscing about my past and singing songs that remind me of home
That's the reason why I seem so far away today
I might appear distant today because I'm preoccupied with my thoughts about my roots
Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time
I want you to know that I cherish and constantly think of you
Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home
My beloved homeland of Caledonia is beckoning me to return
But if I should become a stranger you know that it would make me more than sad
If I happen to lose my connection to my roots, it would be devastating for me
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia has always been an essential part of my identity and who I am
I have moved and I've kept on moving, proved the points that I needed proving
I've traveled a lot and gone on adventures to prove important things to myself
Lost the friends that I needed losing, found others on the way
I've had to let go of some people in my life and discovered new friendships on my journeys
I've kissed the ladies, left them crying, stolen dreams, yes there's no denying
I've had romantic affairs that ended poorly and made mistakes in pursuit of my aspirations
I have traveled hard sometimes with conscience flying somewhere in the wind
There were moments when I journeyed with a heavy conscience, feeling helpless and suspended in time
Now I'm sitting here before the fire, the empty room the forest choir
In this tranquil moment, I'm sitting beside the fire in an empty room listening to the sounds of the forest
The flames that couldn't get any higher they've withered now they've gone
The once roaring fire has dwindled and finally died out
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear and I know what I will do tomorrow
However, I'm resolute in my thoughts, and I know what actions to take for a better tomorrow
When the hands have shaken and the kisses flow then I will disappear
Once I've said my goodbyes and received my farewells, I'll depart without looking back
Writer(s): Paddy Moloney
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoaoPaulo-bl3cd
I don't know if you can see
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
[Chorus:]
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
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
@kjetilr
Absolutely brilliant, brings a tear to my eye. I miss Scotland so much.
@liamh2o01230123
every time i listen to this song it makes me feel so proud to be scottish and be a cadet in the royal scots dragoon guards
@ellagreen4336
♥
@DuncanofAlba
My son spent four years in the RSDG and our last visit to Scotland (my country) I purchased this cd. between Steve and the RSDG I have never heard anything so beautiful. I love my country and this brings tears to my eyes, its so beautiful. Ready, Aye Ready
@AJClark638
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful country.
@aleverrepoemason7673
I thank you from my heart and soul for sharing your homeland and music.Scotland is the most beautiful country that God ever created!
@lightofgoku
***** my friend our fellow scots have turned a corner this last couple of decades, i am ashamed to say i was a stereotypical thug from paisley but managed to turn things around , slowly ,but i believe our beautiful land aside from the junkie scum , is becoming more peaceful , independence will set us on the right path once more
@aleverrepoemason7673
lightofgoku Scotland is what God created for all the world to view!One day ,by the grace of God,I pray I too will touch your green grass of my home!God bless and keep you always!Sarah
@royschmid9470
When the music gets into your heart it never leaves. Even a re-enactor like me loves Scotland for ever. The pipers were at my wife's grave and will be at mine.
@ianross8461
The most beautiful tune. Cmon Scotland be brave, take your freedom