Sunday Sounds: Dougie Maclean

Have you ever been homesick? Ever found yourself at a place in your life - a physical place and a spot in your life journey - when you know it's time to go home? "Caledonia" captures the essence of that emotion.

I love Dougie Maclean's music, and this song was my first introduction to this man's genius and heart. My husband and I were at a Celtic festival in Gainsville, Georgia. As part of the session crew in the makeshift pub, we had "performer" status and were invited to join a late-night session of musicians. A gentleman from Scotland whose name I have sadly forgotten mentioned this beautiful song he knew and began singing a few bars. Susan Hickey, another delightful performer, brightened and said, "I know that song!" She picked up her guitar and played and sang...and my heart soared. It didn't hurt that the lovely Scottish gent leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, so plainly moved and unashamed that it made me cry.

Once home, we looked up the song and found Dougie Maclean, and what a gift he is! We have a number of his CDs and will undoubtedly buy more. The sound on the "Caledonia" video isn't the best, but it is a nice live performance. The second video is from "The Transatlantic Sessions" - available on DVD that I do not own yet (but I will fix that soon, too), and features another favorite artist, Kathy Mattea, and some brilliant musicians.

Enjoy the music of Dougie Maclean on this Sunday morning. If you like what you hear, you can purchase your own copies here.






Caledonia
- Dougie Maclean

I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
So I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I came from
And that's the reason why I seem
So far away today

Oh, but let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
And now I'm going home
If I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything
I've ever had

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the ladies and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes there's no denying
I have traveled hard with coattails flying
Somewhere in the wind

(Chorus)
Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames that could not get any higher
They've withered now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands are shaken and the kisses flow
Then I will disappear

Ready For the Storm
- Dougie Maclean

O the waves crash in and the tide pulls out
It's an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn the lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes and the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor's bones to the sailor's soul
Till there's nothing left that he can hold
Except the rolling ocean

Chorus:

But I am ready for the storm, yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm, I'm ready for the storm

Give me mercy for my dreams
For every confrontation seems
To tell me what it really means
To be this lonely sailor
But when the sky begins to clear
And the sun it melts away my fear
I'll cry a silent weary tear
For those that need to love me

Chorus

But distance it is no real friend
And time it takes its time
But you will find that in the end
It brings you me the lonely sailor
But when you take me by your side
You love me warm, you love me
And I should have realized
I had no reasons to be frightened