Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterScotland vs Brazil will kick off this evening at 11pm British time, with the match being broadcast by the BBC.The Group C face-off, held at the Miami Stadium, will determine which national side tops the table, and which secure qualification, come 1am, with Morocco also firmly in the mix.Prior to kick-off, the Scotland faithful, known as the Tartan Army, will be heard singing the nation's national anthem, but what is the story behind 'Flower of Scotland'?Play our FREE match predictor game and win �1kWhat is Scotland's national anthem, 2026 World Cup - why do the Scottish sing 'Flower of Scotland'?Off the bat, 'Flower of Scotland' is not the Scottish national anthem. It is an unofficial anthem used for sporting purposes, due to its patriotic themes.Its primary association is with the Scottish national team, however, the story begins with its use in a BBC television series, and another sport entirely. You may like How to watch Scotland vs Brazil for FREE Who is the referee for Scotland vs Brazil? How to watch Bolivia vs Scotland for FREE: Live stream info 'Flower of Scotland' was composed in the 1960s by Roy Williamson, of the folk group The Corries.It was first heard by the public during a BBC television show broadcast in 1967, in an uncompleted form.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The iconic third verse, known for its line 'We will rise now', was not in the original version aired by the broadcaster.The song gained notoriety in the world of sports with the Scotland rugby union team, at the request of winger Billy Steele.Steele encouraged his team-mates to sing the song during the British and Irish Lions Tour of 1974 in South Africa, eventually being adopted as the pre-game anthem by the team in 1990. What to read next Scotland vs Brazil prediction with knockout places on the line Who are the BBC pundits, presenters and commentators for Scotland vs Brazil? How to watch Haiti vs Scotland for FREE The Scotland national team followed suit three years later in 1993, before adopting it as an official pre-game anthem in 1997.The lyrics of the track refer to the victory of the Kingdom of Scotland over the Kingdom of England, at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.Despite various attempts to crown it as the official anthem of the nation between 2006 and 2015, 'Flower of Scotland' remains unofficial.In 2006, the track won 41% of the votes in a poll conducted by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra seeking to crown a unified anthem.Scottish Parliament deemed the matter formally unresolvable in 2015, closing a petition from earlier that year to crown 'Flower of Scotland' as the national anthem, stating "[we will] allow that debate to continue."TOPICSScotlandKedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
