Democracy for Scotland

DEMOCRACY FOR SCOTLAND

A song to celebrate the contribution made by
Democracy For Scotland’s Vigil for a Scottish Parliament.

First performed at The Vigil on 12 September 1997.

Words by Bob Murray
to the tune (roughly) of Neil Gow’s "Farewell to Whisky".

DEMOCRACY FOR SCOTLAND

When the news hit Scotland, back in ninety-two,
There were some that didnae care, and there were some true-blue,
But there were some that wernae feart tae say - "this willnae do",
And they gathered in anger for Democracy.

Democracy, Democracy, a Vigil for Democracy,
It sat in Edinburgh toon for five lang years and more,
And it stood for the people and Democracy.

Frae the north, frae the south, they left their hames,
Wi a fire in their hearts, determination in their banes,
And they went tae Scotland’s capital, and kindled a wee flame, *
And it burned wi a licht that said "Democracy".

Well it burned a wee bit stronger with each passing day,
The locals tooted horns, and foreigners wrote tae say,
That they hoped the Vigil’s strength wad mak the politicians pay,
By handing back the powr that thwarts Democracy.

Democracy, Democracy, a Vigil for Democracy,
It sat in Edinburgh toon for five lang years and more,
And it stood for the people and Democracy.

Thirty thousand marched past the Vigil’s door,
To demonstrate their deepest feelings, and make it clear once more,
That they wouldn’t let things just go on, politics were rotten to the core,
And that they wouldnae mind a wee bit of Democracy.

Well as time goes by and people’s memories drift,
The Vigil folk will have tae try and no get miffed.
There’ll be twa million fowk that say "Aye ! I did a shift !",
But at least they will be proud of their Democracy.

Democracy, Democracy, a Vigil for Democracy,
It sat in Edinburgh toon for five lang years and more,
And it stood for the people and Democracy.

The campaign stuck it out through all the twists and bends,
And the Vigil did its bit, in the fight that never ends.
So here’s -- tae a thae fowk, -- here’s tae oor gallant friends !
Tak a cup for the Vigil - and Democracy.

Democracy, Democracy, a Vigil for Democracy,
It sat in Edinburgh toon for five lang years and more,
And it stood for the people and Democracy.

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Notes for singers;
{a} Traditionally, the fiddle tune would be played twice each through the first and second parts. In this song, the verse uses the tune of the first part, and the chorus the second. The song is sung as verse, chorus, two verses, chorus, two verses, chorus, verse, chorus.
{b} The song, due to some of the long, very word-filled, lines, is probably impossible to sing at a strict tempo. It is best approached from the viewpoint of the words, i.e. do not be hide-bound by the tune. This also means that it should be accompanied either by the singer themself, or by an understanding accompanist.
{c} "And they went tae Scotland's capital" - if sung in Edinburgh, it has to be "they cam tae".

Suggested chord sequence for guitar;
D G /// D D7   ///   G - A   /// D G D
chorus    D G A / D G D   ///   G A   ///   D G D

Robert Murray
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Edinburgh EH3 5PU
Tel. 0131 552 1220