On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 18:44:16 +0100, you wrote:
>> Does anyone know who wrote Scotland the Brave and/or approximately
>> when it was composed?
>
>The tune dates from about the turn of the century; the words are by
>Cliff Hanley, from the 1950s. I think its use for the John Maclean
>March predates the familiar version.
>
I remember hearing Cliff Hanley tell the story of how he came to write
the words. Robert Wilson, who was at the time at the peak of his
career, was looking for a new song for his stage show. Hanley was
commissioned to write the song. The fee was ?25 and Wilson was to get
the copywrite. Hanley took the completed song to Wilson who read it,
gave him the agreed ?25 then refused to let Hanley sign away the
rights. "Naw, naw son, this is far too good. I'd be cheating you if I
took the rights to this," said Wilson.
I've no idea how much money Hanley made over the years out of the song
but it must have been significant. I wonder if the music business has
that level of integrity in it nowadays?
Harry Burns
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