Òran na Cloiche
Òran na Cloiche is a Scottish Gaelic song, written by poet Donald MacIntyre, also known as the Paisley Bard. It celebrates the return of the Stone of Destiny to Scotland, which was retrieved from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1950 by students.A fierce lifetime supporter of the nationalist cause, the bard wrote the 25 verse song in a single sitting immediately upon hearing the news of the stone's return, and some of the students involved visited him at his home to congratulate him on the song's composition in the weeks following. While Òran na Cloiche is sung to the tune of a fast reel, and is celebratory and exhilaratory in tone; upon hearing the news of the stone's return to England, the bard composed an accompanying lament, titled "Nuair Chaidh a' Chlach a Thilleadh" to express his disgust.
The full text of the poem was included in a posthumous collection of the bard's work, titled Sporan Dhòmhnaill - Gaelic Poems and Songs by the late Donald Macintyre, the Paisley Bard, published by Scottish Academic Press for the Scottish Gaelic Text Society in Edinburgh in 1968. Abridged versions have been more recently performed by Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes on her Òg-Mhadainn Shamhraidh album and Scottish folk band Mànran from their eponymous debut album.
