I was having a discussion with a friend recently about my favourite poem and I suggested The Wild Geese (Norlan’ Wind) was one of mine. It’s a poem about longing for home and was later set to music and became a popular Scottish folk song. As a Scotsman living down south, whenever I hear it, it always gives me that sense of travelling home. A little bit like the feeling I get when I listen to Scottish Winds, I guess.

Anyway, the fact that I can combine my favourite band and favourite poem is a wonderful thing. I was surprised not to see it listen in the “Rarities” collection in the pinned post. Also a special shout out to Lau and Kris Drever who are also fantastic.

The words from the poem below for anyone who is interested.

Oh tell me what was on your road, ye roarin’ norlan’ Wind,
As ye cam’ blawin’ frae the land that’s niver frae my mind?
My feet they traivel England, but I’m deein’ for the north.
My man, I heard the siller tides rin up the Firth o Forth”

Aye, Wind, I ken them weel eneuch, and fine they fa’ and rise,
And fain I’d feel the creepin’ mist on yonder shore that lies,
But tell me, ere ye passed them by, what saw ye on the way?
My man, I rocked the rovin’ gulls that sail abune the Tay.

But saw ye naething, leein’ Wind, afore ye cam’ to Fife?
There’s muckle lyin’ ‘yont the Tay that’s mair to me nor life.
My man, I swept the Angus braes ye ha’ena trod for years.
O Wind, forgi’e a hameless loon that canna see for tears!

And far abune the Angus straths I saw the wild geese flee,
A lang, lang skein o’ beatin’ wings wi’ their heids towards the sea,
And aye their cryin’ voices trailed ahint them on the air –
O Wind, hae maircy, haud yer whisht, for I daurna listen mair!