The Songs of Remember My Royalty

One of the main characters of Remember My Royalty is a bagpiper, so it’s only natural that there is a lot of emphasis on songs and music in the story. In fact, each of the chapter titles is a line from a song. The chapter with Christmas has the title “Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come.” The following chapter, which includes New Year’s, has the title “For Auld Lang Syne.” And when the three McGregors leave their homeland of Scotland forever, that chapter is titled “Wherever I Wander, Wherever I Rove.”

Most of the songs included in the book are Scottish, and most of them were either written by Robert Burns or Sir Walter Scott. There are also some songs from the Scottish Psalter.

Some songs appear more often than others throughout the story. One is “The Birks of Aberfeldy,” a song that has special significance to the McGregors since they are from Aberfeldy and often take walks through the birch forest that inspired the song.

After the meal, at Catriona’s request, Uncail John again brought out his pipes. For a long time, he played song after song, the girls as well as the Kimballs requesting their favorite tunes.

Just when Mrs. Kimball was saying perhaps they should all retire to bed, Uncail John chose one more for his final song: “The Birks of Aberfeldy.”

As he played the tune, adjusting the notes to fit his range, Catriona gave a choky gasp. She leapt to her feet and rushed from the room. Uncail John looked after her but continued playing to the end of the song.

When he finished, he put away his pipes and murmured a few low Gaelic words to Ealasaid. “I will see what is bothering her.”

Another song is “Scots Wha Hae,” a song that Hamish often has on his mind as he fights in the war. In fact, at one point, he is adapting the words to fit his own situation.

Still chilly in the damp early-morning air, he paced back and forth along his post. He hummed to himself in an attempt to stay awake. At first, he droned a mournful tune that only made him sleepier, so he switched to another that, while still slow, inspired him to stand guard. As he hummed, the words ran through his mind.

“Now’s the day, an’ now’s the hour:

See the front o battle lour,

See approach proud Edward’s power—

Chains and slaverie.”

Times are not so different now as when my ancestors fought for independence from the English. I could substitute Santa Anna for Edward, and ’twould be most fitting for us, though none of our leaders have fallen as did Wallace.

“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” is the main hymn of the story. The words often bring comfort to Ealasaid when she is troubled by the events happening around her and unable to do anything about them.

As she fell asleep that night, Ealasaid thought of the comforting words of a song, a beautiful hymn Miss Crawford had taught her and which they had sung at the service a few days before.

“Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high;

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide,

O receive my soul at last!”

We are in the midst of a tempest right now. But poor Hamish has no Savior in Whom he can hide. As was her custom, Ealasaid prayed until she grew drowsy. Tonight, her prayers were for Hamish and herself, that God might use her in some way to comfort her brother, and that He would use the troubles to draw Hamish to Himself.

Other songs included in the book are “Will Ye No’ Come Back Again,” “All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border,” “Home Sweet Home,” and many others.

Today I have a little present for my readers. I made a playlist for Remember My Royalty, and now I’m going to share it with you. Not all of the songs mentioned in the book are included, and the opening and closing song of the playlist are not in the book since it wasn’t written then. But it is such a touching tribute to the men of the Alamo that I had to include it. I hope you enjoy listening to the Songs of Remember My Royalty!

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Do you enjoy bagpipes and Scottish songs? Then you might want to check out Remember My Royalty, because it’s chockfull of Scottish poetry and songs! The discount is still going, so now’s the time to snag a copy if you’re interested.