Belle and Sebastian write Scotland anthem after dramatic World Cup qualifier

The lyrics came to Stuart Murdoch in the hazy aftermath of Scotland’s dramatic qualification for the World Cup . The Belle and Sebastian frontman had watched his side’s playoff victory over Denmark through his fingers before deciding to write his own anthem to a team he has followed for more than 50 years. “Most people recognised instantly the next day that they’d witnessed the most important Scottish game ever,” says Murdoch. “That was our magic moment.” Scotland’s Kenny McLean celebrates at the World Cup European qualifying match at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA It Only Takes One Lion starts by hinting at the travails of the team (“You gave us hope, you gave us despair”), turns into a bombastic four-on-the-floor singalong with self-deprecating lyrics (“This is Scotland, where everybody knows you start with nothing”), and nods to the Tartan Army (“you can join an army that’s for peace”). Football has been a life pursuit for Stuart Murdoch. Photograph: Belle and Sebastian Football has been a life pursuit for Murdoch, who is an Ayr United fan, and Belle and Sebastian have broached the topic of football before, notably in the tale of Sunday league woes, Another Sunny Day. It Only Takes One Lion, however, is a different prospect. The song’s danceable beat was inspired by the team’s current anthem, Baccara’s 1977 hit, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which has been blasted out at Hampden Park after recent Scotland victories . …