Lyrics to “SCOTLAND WILL FLOURISH”
Words and Music Ian Richardson, Published by Corries Music
Scotland will flourish by the sweat of our labour,
The strength of our will and the force of our minds.
Forget the old battles, those days are over,
Hatred corrupts and friendship refines. Let the Scots be a nation so proud of their heritage,
Wi’ an eye on the future and a heart to forgive;
And let us be rid of those bigots and fools,
Who will not let Scotland live and let live. Let us govern our country wisely and fairly,
Let each man and woman work wi’ a will.
And Scotland will flourish secure in the knowledge
That we reap our own harvest and ring our own till.
And let us be known for our kind hospitality,
A hand that is openly proffered to friends,
A hard working people proud and unbending
Scotland will thrive and win out in the end.
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How often these words have sprung to mind in recent years. Today we consider Grangemouth, a thriving port town founded almost 300 years ago, booming from the days of the Carron ironworks and a conduit for exports abroad from Walter Alexander’s, the world’s biggest bus building company. Nearby Kincardine with its historic linen industry trading with Europe hundreds of years before the construction of the Kincardine bridge with its swinging central span.

And today we enjoy the sight of the now internationally renowned Kelpies representing the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy. We recall the wagons and the courtships that shaped our industrial heartlands.

Oil was discovered in the North Sea in 1969. It brought prosperity to some Scots many of whom have toiled in the works at Grangemouth and related industries nearby. Scotland is amongst the top 25 oil producers of the world. Scotland must retain its refinery at Grangemouth.

If the Grangemouth refinery is allowed to close this will comprise deindustrialisation on a massive scale. There will be third world oil producing nations with independent refining capacity when we have none. Westminster will ensure that Scotland’s oil goes south to be refined and sold back to us. English and foreign interests will benefit. Once more the people of Scotland will lose.

It is time, Scotland. We have to make a stand. Or we will see Grangemouth no more, Falkirk no more, Kincardine no more, Clackmannan no more. Scotland no more ?

There has never been a greater need to reap our own harvest and ring our own till.

Let us get independence done, take control of our own resources and Scotland will flourish.