Dougie MacLean 1977
MacLean wrote the song in less than 10 minutes on a beach in Brittany, France, feeling homesick for Scotland. He said: “I was in my early 20s and had been busking around with some Irish guys. I was genuinely homesick. I’d always lived in Perthshire. I played it to the guys when I got back to the youth hostel where we were staying and that was the final straw – we all went home the next day.”
MacLean: Dougie MacLean pays tribute to Alex Salmond with Caledonia performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0lzYztObyk
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 Chorus: 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 I have tried and I’ve kept on trying, 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