Marillion's Heart of a Lothian (August 16th, 2003)

As a few people know, I'm a severe Marillion fan - I own all of their CDs. The lyrics are outstanding, and the transitions surpass those of Pink Floyd.

I often sit and wonder on some of the lyrics, and I think I solved the largest issue I have found - which is the 'Heart of a Lothian' song title. There's been much discussion on this all over, and I've pondered it for quite some time - years. Not full time, mind, you.

But I think I've finally hammered down what a 'Heart of a Lothian' is.

"The prison," added the young lawyer--"You have hit it--the very reverend

Tolbooth itself; and let me tell you, you are obliged to us for

describing it with so much modesty and brevity; for with whatever

amplifications we might have chosen to decorate the subject, you lay

entirely at our mercy, since the Fathers Conscript of our city have

decreed that the venerable edifice itself shall not remain in existence

to confirm or to confute its."

"Then the Tolbooth of Edinburgh is called the Heart of Mid-Lothian?" said

I.

"So termed and reputed, I assure you."

-- "The Heart of Mid-Lothian", Sir Walter Scott Key (available from Gutenberg.org.)

I was born with a Heart of Lothian... - Marillion.

Given the apparent strong literary roots that the writers for Marillion have, I'd say that this is the root of 'Heart of a Lothian'. It fits the song, as well.

Another mystery solved, I think. It only took me about 18 years, too.

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