You know that feeling. That specific, soaring sensation when the drums kick in and Merida finally escapes the suffocating confines of DunBroch Castle? It's iconic. Honestly, the touch the sky lyrics brave fans obsess over aren't just words; they’re a manifesto for anyone who has ever felt trapped by expectation.
Back in 2012, Pixar did something different. They traded the polished Broadway-style ballads of the Disney Renaissance for something raw, earthy, and unapologetically Scottish. This wasn't a princess singing to a bird. This was a girl screaming her heart out to the Highlands.
The Gaelic Soul Behind the Music
Alex Mandel and Mark Andrews wrote the lyrics, but Julie Fowlis gave them a soul. If you haven't heard of Fowlis, she’s basically the high priestess of modern Gaelic folk music. Her voice has this crystalline, ancient quality that makes the song feel like it’s been echoing off those crags for centuries.
The song actually kicks off the movie’s emotional core. It's called "Touch the Sky," and it functions as our introduction to who Merida actually is when her mom, Queen Elinor, isn't hovering over her shoulder. It’s about freedom. Pure, unadulterated, wind-in-your-hair freedom.
Most people remember the chorus. It's catchy as hell. But the verses are where the real storytelling happens. When she sings about "the cold wind" and "the deep forest," she isn't just describing scenery. She’s describing her home. Her sanctuary.
Why the Lyrics Actually Matter
Let’s look at the opening lines. Merida talks about the "misty mountains" and the "eagle's cry."
It’s grounded.
There’s a line in there about "chase the wind and touch the sky." It sounds like a metaphor, right? But in the context of the film, Merida is literally trying to outrun her destiny. She’s trying to reach for something—anything—that isn't a pre-arranged marriage to a lord she doesn't like.
I think we often overlook how much work these lyrics do to establish the setting. You can practically smell the peat and the salt air. It’s visceral. The song uses a lot of natural imagery—woods, water, stone—to emphasize that Merida is a part of the wild world, not the domesticated one of the court.
Breaking Down the "Touch the Sky" Lyrics in Brave
If you look closely at the structure, it’s not a standard pop song. It’s built on a Celtic folk structure.
The lyrics are simple. "I will ride, I will fly, chase the wind and touch the sky."
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It’s repetitive in a way that feels like a chant or a prayer. It’s an affirmation of self. When Merida is out there on Angus, jumping over logs and firing arrows with terrifying precision, the music swells to match her heartbeat.
People always ask why Pixar chose Julie Fowlis instead of a massive pop star like Kelly Clarkson or Taylor Swift, who were huge at the time. It was about authenticity. They needed that "thin place" energy—the Celtic concept of where the gap between heaven and earth is narrow.
The Connection to Merida’s Arc
The touch the sky lyrics brave features are more than just background noise for a montage. They represent the "Before."
Before the bear.
Before the cake.
Before the chaos.
They represent the idealized version of Merida’s life. It’s the only time in the movie where she is truly, 100% happy. Every other moment is clouded by the looming shadow of the Highland Games or her mother’s relentless lessons in etiquette.
Funny enough, the song never mentions "brave" or "courage." It focuses entirely on "will."
I will ride.
I will fly.
It’s a declaration of agency. In a world where women were told what to do, where to go, and who to marry, saying "I will" is a radical act.
Musicality and the Highland Influence
The instrumentation is just as important as the words. You’ve got the whistle, the fiddle, and the heavy percussion that feels like galloping hooves.
Patrick Doyle, the composer for the film, is a Scotsman himself. He knew that the music couldn't just be "Celtic-ish." It had to be the real deal. He used traditional rhythms—jigs and reels—to give the track its momentum.
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There’s a specific lift in the melody when the lyrics hit the "touch the sky" part. It’s a major key shift that feels like sun breaking through the clouds. It’s designed to make you feel expansive.
A Quick Reality Check on the Translation
While the song is in English, many fans get it confused with "Noble Maiden Fair" (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal), which is the lullaby Merida and Elinor sing. That one is in Scottish Gaelic.
"Touch the Sky" is the bridge. It connects the ancient traditions of the past with the rebellious spirit of the youth.
Why We Still Sing It 14 Years Later
It's weirdly timeless.
Most "Disney Princess" songs are about longing for something else. Ariel wants to be human. Belle wants adventure in the great wide somewhere. Merida? Merida just wants to be herself.
The lyrics don't ask for a prince. They don't ask for a different life. They ask for the freedom to engage with the life she already has, on her own terms. That’s why it resonates so hard with adults, too.
We’ve all had those moments where we just want to get in the car, roll the windows down, and drive until the city lights disappear. That’s the "Touch the Sky" energy.
Surprising Facts About the Recording
Did you know Julie Fowlis recorded her parts in a studio in the Highlands?
She wasn't in some sterile Los Angeles booth. She was surrounded by the very landscape she was singing about. You can hear that connection in the phrasing. She doesn't over-sing. She doesn't do "diva" runs. She stays true to the folk tradition of letting the melody and the story take center stage.
Also, the song was almost cut.
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Early versions of the film were much darker. There was a point where the "fun" montage was considered too lighthearted for the tone they were going for. Thankfully, they realized that without seeing Merida’s joy, we wouldn't care about her struggle.
Putting the Lyrics Into Practice
If you’re a singer or a musician looking to cover this, don’t overthink it.
The biggest mistake people make with the touch the sky lyrics brave fans love is trying to make it sound too "pop." It needs grit. It needs a little bit of dirt under the fingernails.
- Focus on the breath. The phrases are long. You need to support them from your core.
- Respect the rhythm. The 6/8 time signature is what gives it that "galloping" feel. If you lose the beat, you lose the song.
- Keep the vowels tall. Scottish singing is very much about the resonance in the back of the throat.
Actionable Takeaway: Bringing Merida’s Spirit to Your Life
You don't need a horse or a longbow to channel this. The core message of the lyrics is about reclaiming your space.
Start by identifying one area where you’re following a "script" that doesn't fit you. Maybe it’s a career path. Maybe it’s a social obligation. Whatever it is, find your version of "chasing the wind."
Spend time in nature. It sounds cliché, but the song emphasizes that our connection to the earth is where we find our strength. Go for a hike. Sit by a river. Listen to the "eagle's cry" (or the local equivalent).
Understand that "touching the sky" isn't about reaching an impossible goal. It’s about the effort of reaching. It’s about the stretch.
If you want to dive deeper into the music of Brave, check out the full soundtrack by Patrick Doyle. It’s a masterclass in using folk elements in a cinematic context. Look up the lyrics to "Into the Open Air" as well; it serves as a beautiful bookend to "Touch the Sky," focusing on the reconciliation between mother and daughter rather than just individual rebellion.
Go find your own "misty mountains."
Stop waiting for permission to be who you already are. The wind is already blowing; you just have to decide to chase it.