Oddly enough, the tune is of recent origin. In Gaelic 'Alba An Aigh' translates as 'Scotland The Brave' and is considered one of the unofficial anthems of Scotland. The oldest appearance of the melody was in a Boys Brigade pipe tune book from 1911 where the title appeared as 'Scotland, the Brave!!!' Charles Gore say the tune appears to date from about 1891-5, when it was published in Keith Norman Macdonalds Gesto Collection of Highland Music under the title 'Brave Scotland' and/or 'Scotland for Ever'.
The lyrics commonly sung today were written in 1951 by the Scottish journalist Cliff Hanley for the singer Robert Wilson in an arrangement by Marion McClurg. A Glasgwegian,Cliff Hanley (1923-99) was an author, historian and broadcaster and wrote the new words for Robert Wilson, a performer who needed a song for the finale of his show at a Christmas Scottish review that was being performed at the Glasgow Empire Theatre.
'Scotland The Brave' is also known as 'Brave Scotland', 'My Bonnie Lass', 'My Bonnie Lassie' (with alternative lyrics) and as 'Scotland Forever'. 'My Bonnie Lassie' was actually penned by two American songwriters Roy C. Bennett and Sid Tepper (who wrote songs for Elvis Presley).
Hark! When the night is falling
Hear, Hear! the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling, down through the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.
Chorus
(Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever, Scotland the brave.)
High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair maidens' eyes.
Chorus
Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.
Chorus
Drums in my heart are drummin,
I hear the bagpipes hummin,
My Bonnie Lassie's comin over the sea.
My heart with her she's bringin,
I hear the blue bells ringin,
Soon we'll be highland flingin,
My love and me.
Chorus:
(I'll meet her at the shore,
Playin the pipes for her,
Dressed in a kilt and a tam o'shanter too.
Drums in my heart are drummin,
I hear the bagpipes hummin,
My Bonnie Lassie's comin, comin to me.)
Somewhere a ship and crew,
Sails o'er the ocean blue,
Bringing, oh, bringing,
My bonnie back to me.
That's why the drums are drummin,
That's why the pipes are hummin,
My Bonnie Lassie's comin, comin to me.
Chorus
Sad are the lads she's leavin,
Many a sigh they're heavin,
Even the heather's grievin, cryin with dew.
She's left her native highland,
To come and live in my land,
She'll love the folks who smile,
And say, "how-de-do".