Flower of Scotland (technically the name The Flower of Scotland is correct, but is rarely used) is the unofficial national anthem of Scotland, a role for which it competes against its more upbeat rival Scotland the Brave. The only officially recognised anthem in the UK remains God Save the Queen, however. Flower of Scotland was written by Roy Williamson of folk act The Corries.
The song is a particular favourite of Scottish Rugby fans, who first adopted it for the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974. The last two lines of each verse are generally sung with particular ferocity, especially before games against England. The Scottish Football Association adopted Flower of Scotland as its official pre-game anthem in 1997, following the Scottish Rugby Union's example.
The song (sung as a lament) relates the struggles of the Scots leader William Wallace against the English king Edward II.