Solid Ground Down the Buckney den the burn crashes down from the Autumn spate. The gentle hazels rustle as they bend and sway as they laden wait. My fathers they have walked this road And now I know And yes didn't they know There is no great and heavy load And now I know And yes didn't they know. Fa la-a la la la-a We stand on Solid Ground on Solid Ground Fa la-a la la la-a We stand on Solid Ground Across the Arlick face the amber sun beats down to tinge the vivid green. I hear it wide and loud, Feel it wild and proud, the way it's always been. My fathers they have looked this way And now I know And yes didn't they know No clever words we have to say And now I know And yes didn't they know. Fa la-a la la la-a, etc. Where is the honest truth? Where is the open soul? Where is the simple smile? A couthie word or two for the passing stranger who may rest a while. My fathers they have said these things And now I know And yes didn't they know The joy that shared friendship brings en I started f And yes didn't they know. Fa la-a la la la-a, etc. It's the land. It is our wisdom. It's the land. It shines us through. V It feeds our children. It's the land. You cannot own the land. The land owns you. The notes on the Putumayo ""Dougie Mac Lean Collection"" say that to love, and to be able to live in, the area where your father and grandfather lived is rare enough these days. This song mentions places and sentiments shared by us. Inspiration also from Chief Seattle's 1855 speech and letter to President Washington (sic) Dolores Keane also has a good recording of the song on her ""Solid Ground"" CD." Copyright Dougie MacLean 1988 JO OCT98
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!