"Hector the Hero" is a classic lament penned by Scottish composer and fiddler James Scott Skinner in 1903.
[1] It was written as a tribute to Major-General Hector MacDonald, a distinguished Scottish general around the turn of the century.
MacDonald, a friend of Skinner's, had not long before committed suicide after false accusations and charges against him.
As it is a lament, it is played slowly and sadly, often using instruments such as the violin, piano, guitar or bagpipes.
As it was written in 1903, the lyrics, by Thomas McWilliam,[2] and music to "Hector the Hero" have passed into the public domain.