Scotland for ever!

[Father Bill]

So fer many many years, the congregation had met every Sunday mornin' on the side o' the hill (whut God made) to sing and praise the Lord and 'ear 'is word. An' the auld minister had gladly led them through their mornin' prayers and through their life's moments 'til come the day that 'e passed to his own great reward.

An' sadly, the congregation met on the side o' the 'ill (whut God made) to pray for 'is soul. An' sadly, the elders met a' the village pub and realized that they had na enuff geld but fer ta' hire a lowlander ta' tak 'is place... a Sassenach! ...an' a yung pup at that!

But they did whut they had ta do, and wouldn' ye know it! Nuthin' would do for this yung pup when 'e got into the town an' got 'isself settled, but whut 'e 'ad ta' 'ave a wee kirkie on the side o' the hill (whut God made.)

So, they set ta work wi' teeth clenched shut an' scowls on ther faces, and over the munths whut foll'ed they built 'im a wee white kirkie on the side o' the 'ill (whut God made)... just ta' keep the yung pup's mouth shut.

An' aw how 'e gloated and preened 'iself as the wee white kirkie come tagether... on the side o' the 'ill (whut God made.)

An' come the day when it was time for the first service in the wee white kirkie, an' the yung pup, 'e opened up the doors, an' 'e looked, an' 'e said ta auld John, the Sexton, "John - don't you think there should be some decoration in the church for our first service?" An' John scowled and said "Aye," an' stumped off to prepare some decoration.

An' as the congregation began t' arrive at the wee white kirkie on the side o' the 'ill (whut God made) the yung pup minister looked inside, an' there - above the pulpit, was a HU-U-U-UGE Scottish thistle, an' a banner whut read, "SCOTLAND FOR EVER!"

"John," 'e says ta th' auld Sexton, "It's not exactly what I had in mind."

"Nae?" says auld John.

"No, I was thinking of something... you know... a little more... scriptural."

An' auld John scowled, and said "Aye," an' stumped off to get some alternate.

Well, the yung pup got hi'self busy and didnae have another look inside until sooch time as the choir was a' in their robes, and a' lined up... and 'e opened up the doors and looked inside.

An' there - above the pulpit, was a HU-U-U-UGE Scottish thistle... an' a banner whut read, SCOTLAND FOR EVER, AN' EVER! AMEN!