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Born In Caledonia

from The Prentice Bard by Alan Dickson

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about

This song was written for Rose Gentle and her family (in memory of Gordon). It is dedicated to all those who have died in the Iraq conflict.

lyrics

There was a brave soldier, there was a brave soldier
There was a brave soldier, who went off to fight
He was born in Caledonia, born in Caledonia
Born in Caledonia, he was taught to do right

They gave him a rifle and an Army pack
Said go patrol the border in the south of Iraq
Our country’s at war as we’re fighting for
Our freedom and peace like we’ve done before

But he was just a young soldier, just a young soldier
Just a young soldier, so far from home
He was born in Caledonia, born in Caledonia
Born in Caledonia, but no more would he roam

While out in his jeep near Basra town
A bomb exploded, hidden under the ground
He was killed in an instant, in the blink of an eye
The first British soldier in the conflict to die

Sound the fife lowly, sound the fife lowly
Sound the fife lowly and lay him to rest
Born in Caledonia, born in Caledonia
Born in Caledonia, he was one of the best

His mother she asked why was he sent
Such a meaningless waste he should never have went
She campaigned for an inquest, why he did die
To find out the truth, to end all the lies

The bugle is blowin’, bugle is blowin’
Bugle is blowin’, it’s blowin’ so loud
Born in Caledonia, born in Caledonia
Born in Caledonia, his death would be avowed

Whitehall were found guilty of downright neglect
Unlawful killing was the verdict
They tried to suppress the documents
That said her son didn’t get the right equipment

Ring the bells clearly, ring the bells clearly
Ring the bells clearly ‘til justice is done
Born in Caledonia, born in Caledonia
Born in Caledonia, his memory lives on

His mother she asked to meet Tony Blair
To charge him with murder for this ghastly affair
For the crimes he committed in the names of us all
And for all who have died in this illegal war

Beat the drums slowly, beat the drums slowly
Beat the drums slowly ‘til Blair he goes down
For the mothers and families, mothers and families
Mothers and families and all of their sons

credits

from The Prentice Bard, released April 7, 2012

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Alan Dickson image

Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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