Thanks a lot for posting that information, Alan. Maybe it will help eliminate the confusion if I post the lyrics of the Ian McCalman song in this thread, so people can compare. I found the lyrics at http://www.boroughloch.demon.co.uk/macs/highland.html
It almost sounds as though McCalman is singing about your father's song. Could that be the case? The website where I found the lyrics said the McCalman song was based on a poem by Hilton Brown. Maybe both songs are based on the Brown poem. Next quest is to find the Brown poem, "October Running." Note that Mudcatter Susanne (SKW) has an entry on this song in here online songbook (click). The Ian McCalman song was recorded by The McCalmans.
-Joe Offer-
The Highland Road
(Words and Music by Ian McCalman)
(based on a poem by Hilton Brown)
Fife was a shadow across the Forth as the Granton boat pulled out,
over the sea and the solid earth the mist lay all about,
and a rising wind from the Isle of May o'er the ruffled waters strode,
and blew us a clear October day to ride on the Highland Road.
The Highland Road's been sung before and will be sung again,
So long as singers give thanks for good in the way of honest men,
Let him who will be contrary, the wise man will agree,
And sing again the Highland Road, the Highland Road for me.
There's a winding road from Glenfarg to the mouth of the river Tay,
The mountains beckon beyond Dunkeld to lead us on our way,
Now Killicrankie's famous Pass, a battle lost and won,
From the old enchanted Atholl lands, grim heart of Caledon.
The Highland Road's been sung before and will be sung again,
So long as singers give thanks for good in the way of honest men,
Let him who will be contrary, the wise man will agree,
And sing again the Highland Road, the Highland Road for me.
Now the Highland Road is a rugged road, from the Tay to the Northern shore,
A man may rise in Edinburgh town and rest in Aviemore,
Now here's to the railroad running north and the day that gave it due,
From the greying spires of the ancient town to the moon of the Lairig Gru.
The Highland Road's been sung before and will be sung again,
So long as singers give thanks for good in the way of honest men,
Let him who will be contrary, the wise man will agree,
It's the North Road, the Atholl Road, the Highland Road for me.