Scottish songs for funerals 

Music is an important aspect of Scottish culture, and features heavily in Scottish funerals. Below are some Scottish hymns and folk songs, and a list of chart acts to inspire your Scottish funeral song choices.

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Hymns

Brother James’s Air (Psalm 23)

This is a setting of the enormously popular hymn The Lord’s My Shepherd, written by Scottish composer James Leith Macbeth Bain. 

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I heard the voice of Jesus say

A reflective hymn based on Bible verses from Matthew and John, written by the “the prince of Scottish hymn writers” Horatius Bonar.

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Be Thou my vision 

The origins of this hymn lie in Ireland. However, it has become so popular at Scottish funerals that it is found in Scottish hymnals and there has even been a translation written in modern Scots Gaelic.

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Abide with me

With lyrics composed by Scotsman Henry Francis Lyte, this is one of the most popular hymns for funerals across the United Kingdom, regularly topping the list of the nation’s favourite hymns. 

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Amazing Grace

Originally an English composition, Amazing Grace is nonetheless very popular for Scottish funerals since being adopted as a bagpipe tune by pipers such as The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

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For more popular hymns read our Top 20 Hymns for Funerals 

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Folk songs

The Parting Glass

A folk song written for friends departing from a gathering, which makes it perfect as a recessional or exit song at a funeral. As with most folk songs, it is traditionally sung a cappella (unaccompanied). 

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Skye Boat Song

Written for the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. For an extra Scottish touch, have your soloist sing the less well-known lyrics written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. 

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Sleep Dearie Sleep

This tune is normally played by bagpipes, but a version with English lyrics was sung for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. It was accompanied by The Queen's piper, who played the bagpipes outside the Queen's window each morning at Balmoral.

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Flower of Scotland 

A patriotic 1960s rebel song about Robert the Bruce’s victory over the English at Bannockburn, and the unofficial national anthem of Scotland. It’s popularly sung by Scottish fans at international football and rugby union matches. 

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The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond (I’ll take the high road)

Also associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite rebellion, this was considered the unofficial Scottish anthem until it was supplanted by Flower of Scotland. 

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Robert Burns

Of course no list of Scottish folk songs could leave out the great Scottish poet and composer Robert Burns. Here are a few of his most beautiful songs that are commonly used for funerals. 

Ae Fond Kiss

My Love is Like a Red Red Rose

Ye Banks and Braes

Auld Lang Syne

You can find a full list here, compiled by the BBC. 

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Scottish bands and singers

For something more contemporary there are many huge Scottish artists and acts in the world of pop music. Here is a selection:

Annie Lennox

The Bay City Rollers

Biffy Clyro

Deacon Blue

Gerry Rafferty

Lewis Capaldi

Lulu

Primal Scream

The Proclaimers

Texas

Wet Wet Wet

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Book a singer or choir for a Scottish funeral

Enquire about hiring a bagpiper for a funeral

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