Kilted Funeral

[Graham]

This will be a first for me!
A dear friend of some 30 years lost his battle with bone marrow cancer at just 61.
He asked me to conduct his funeral for him, and while I've never done a funeral, I couldn't refuse him.

I just wish he had asked for a piper, that would have been nice, but he didn't.

Part of my address this Thursday will be a quote from William Wallace (or was it Mel Gibson?) "Every man dies, but not every man truly lives"....and then go one to speak of my friends' life.
There may not be any photos so I can't promise to post them.

[mddock58]

In His strength Graham!

[cessna152towser]

I know you will set the right tone for the occasion, Graham, and wouldn't expect any photos. I've often worn my all black wool heavyweight kilt to attend funerals though I've often seen black watch kilts and less frequently kilts in family tartans at funerals here in Scotland.

[Graham]

Thanks lads, your prayers are coveted.

I reckon I'll wear my morrison modern, it's quite a dark tartan, like Black Watch.

[Foxgun Tom]

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00

[Alan H]

Sometimes what you wear is a whole lot less important than who you are.

I'm sure your friend trusts in Graham, irrespective of the tartan wrapped 'round his rumpside. I'm sorry for your friends passing and I wish strength, wisdom and sme peace for his family and friends.

[Riverkilt]

You'll do him proud Graham.

Two songs that come to mind are Steve McDonald's songs To the Ends of the Earth and Southern Gael about the Scots who came to your area in the clearances....



5. To The Ends of the Earth

So now we've moved away, Far from our glen and hill,
We're on the ocean bound, For a new land yet still,
I miss my people, I miss my place of birth.
Yet sail with you I will go, to the ends of the Earth;

In 1817, Nova Scotia was home,
St. Ann's and Baddock Forks, Cape Breton Island we roamed,
And then we found ourselves in 1852,
About to sail again, across the blue;

Sail away, far away cross the water,
Sail away, far away cross the water....to the ends of the Earth;

(We sail)...over the ocean, (We sail)...through all emotion, (We sail)...seems like forever, but never look back....we're sailing away;

How many years have gone, how many souls laid low,
(How many years have gone, how many souls laid low,)
Since we first travelled on, far from out land of woe.
(Since we first travelled on, far from out land of woe.)
But now you'll find me, far from the world at hand,
(Far beyond the waves you'll find me,)
Call me a south-sea Scot, in a south-sea land. Sail away, far away cross the water,
Sail away, far away cross the water,
Sail away, far away cross the water,
Sail away, far away cross the water....to the ends of the Earth;
To the ends of the Earth;
To the ends of the Earth;
To the ends of the Earth.



11. Southern Gael

My name is Jock McDonald and I am new upon the land,
I've come wi' just my family and courage in my hand.
I'll rise up er' and work all day until the job is done,
And make for us a place to live a'neath the southern sun.

Chorus:
Hey Jock, you're the southern Gael,
You made it here through the rain and hail.
I've travelled many miles for our homeland she is lost
To make a new beginning, a'neath the southern cross.

We laboured and we toiled and we built ourselves a town,
A place to raise our children and a place to settle down.
We brought with use our music and we brought our father's name,
In hope that dear old Scotland, will surely rise again.

Chorus

Soon be forgotten, the fields of Culloden.
and so become, her southern son.

We built old Dunedin, and Invercargill too,
Waipu in the north, to Oban in the dew
Mosegiel to Strathmore, and Cheviot on the coast,
We built our southern Scotland, the land we love the most.

Hey Jock, you're the southern Gael,
You made it here through the rain and hail. x4

Our flight from dear old Scotland, entailed a heavy cost,
To make a new beginning, a'neath the southern cross.
We travelled many miles for our homeland she is lost,
To make a new beginning, a'neath the southern cross.
Make a new beginning, a'neath the southern cross.



Not sure about the geography of the later, but know you are.

Will send up some smoke for your friend,

Ron

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Sorry to hear about your friend, I'm sure you'll do him very proud.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I've worn clan kilts to three funerals now and recieved nothing but praise. It seems people sense that you've made a special effort to show respect. Many people seem to have a tendancy to dress down at funerals these days.

While I've spoken at a funeral service, I've never conducted one. I can only propose that, given your extensive speaking experience, your friend will recieve a first class farewell.

.

[Kilted KT]

I'l gently raise a dram for your lost comrad...I have every faith your friend will smiile on you from on high as you deilver your words...