Highland Ways, composed by Kirk MacGeachy
Inspiration for this song came from a long overdue, night drive up the Great North Road to Inverness then westward to meet the dawn on the coast of Ross-shire in the north-west Highlands. The song gives voice to reflections on the past and present, as well as the future, of this area.
Dawn's first light, creeps across the eastern sky-line
Pale moonlight fading fast, the morning's nigh-mine
I'm on my way again; down the long road to the sea
Back to those Highland ways; memories of childhood days
I'll never stay away; this long again.
Summer islands, Blazing in the morning sun-shine
Those western Highlands wakening, and the day begun-fine
Dreaming of yesterday; so many forced to leave those shores
No longer could they stay; bound for Americay
To find a brighter way; than all before.
City skyline, fades in darkness far behind-me
All those worries, disappear now that my mind's-free
When will I break away; step on out and close the door
Leave behind those city ways; the noise and stress-filled days
Back to the simple ways; I knew before.
Dawn's first light, creeps across the eastern sky-line
Pale moonlight fading fast, the morning's nigh-mine
What will tomorrow bring, will tranquility remain
Or will the heavens fall, darkness around us all
I hear the seer; he's calling for black rain