A retired US general has teamed up with an army band to perform a new version of Dougie MacLean's classic hit 'Caledonia' that pays homage to America's resilience during the coronavirus outbreak.
Written by retired Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the video for the song features him singing it alongside US Army rock band 'Downrange'.
A send up of the classic MacLean hit, it features the lyrics: "Oh let me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time. America, you're calling us, still our home sweet home. And if we let this crisis change us, you know that it would make me more than sad, America's been everything I've ever had."
In an interview with ABC News, Mr Dempsey said that military bands such as 'Downrange' exist to "inspire and encourage" Americans, he said: "We began to wonder if there was a way we could send a message to our fellow citizens who themselves are going through the very tough times related to COVID-19."
The result is the song which sees the members of the band and Mr Dempsey singing along as they record their performances from their homes.
The retired general takes centre stage, backed by singers from the band, who would normally provides free performances to the public but has been unable to do so during the pandemic.
An Army spokesperson said that the song speaks to "the current fears and challenges" the US faces in this current pandemic and "emphasizes the resilience as a nation" and "acknowledges the selfless service of those who serve to help during this historic time".
The original song was written by Dougie MacLean in 1979 while he was homesick in France, a hit upon its release, Retired Army General Dempsey now joins a long list of artists who have covered it including Frankie Miller, Dolores Keane and Paolo Nutini.
