'Gerry Rafferty went to meet his maker sober and unafraid, curious and brave'

• More than 400 people attended Gerry Rafferty's funeral yesterday, which took place in St Mirin's Cathedral in Paisley, near to where he was born. Picture: Robert Perry/Getty Images/PA

The daughter of Gerry Rafferty received a rapturous round of applause yesterday after joining other members of her family at her father's funeral to sing one of his songs.

Martha Rafferty and five other relatives took to the altar of St Mirin's Cathedral in Paisley to deliver their version of Whatever's Written In Your Heart, originally from Rafferty's City to City album. The poignant, unaccompanied version drew tears from several people at the Requiem Mass.

Hundreds of mourners had gathered to remember the life of Rafferty and pay their respects in hymns, songs, and memories of "great nights".

The musician's funeral was attended by those who collaborated with the late star, including Joe Egan, his childhood friend and former Stealers Wheel bandmate, and Charlie and Craig Reid from The Proclaimers.

One of Rafferty's closest friends, John Byrne, gave a tender and graceful eulogy. Recalling his thoughtful, talented and humorous associate, the playwright and artist also acknowledged the problems the musician endured in his life.

"He wasn't a saint," Mr Byrne told the service at the end of his reading. "But then, which of us are? May he rest in peace."

Best known for his hits Baker Street and Stuck In The Middle, Rafferty died on 4 January in Stroud, Gloucestershire, after a long illness. The singer, who formed The Humblebums group with Billy Connolly, was 63.

Yesterday's service on a frosty winter's morning was attended by around 400 people. It took place less than a mile from his birthplace in Paisley's Underwood Lane, in the same cathedral where he married his former wife, Carla.

First Minister Alex Salmond was joined by MSPs Hugh Henry, Wendy Alexander, Pauline McNeill and Robin Harper, while long-time fans of Rafferty travelled from as far as New York to be in attendance.

The Mass, led by Father John Tormey, mirrored the themes of spirituality and purity which informed so much of Rafferty's musical output. "He was very much aware of the spiritual element and you will find that in his songs," Fr Tormey said. "He always searched for a more authentic way to live his life, shunning the outward trappings of celebrity so that he might live as he chose to live his life."

He also acknowledged the private side of the "wonderfully talented Paisley Man". Gerard, as he was known to Martha, his granddaughter Celia, brother Jim, and partner Enzina Fuschini, was a "warm and loving person", Fr Tormey added.

Mr Byrne, who designed the artwork for several of Rafferty's albums, recounted intimate conversations in his friend's final days.

Describing how he took a late night telephone call from Rafferty four days before his death, he said: "Amongst the things he said, and the one that sticks in my mind and was germane to both of us, and we said it together, was: 'What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?' I know that he went to meet his maker sober and unafraid, and fiercely curious and with enormous bravery."

So too, he reminisced of bygone days with the "very serious, very thoughtful, and very funny" man he felt "privileged" to have known.

"I think back to the wonderful times and memories of when we all used to go up to the old art deco Rogano in Glasgow," he added. "We had great nights, great fun, great talk, great food, and great songs."

Rafferty, he said, may be remembered as the author of several iconic songs, but his muse crafted "hundreds and hundreds of wonderful, brilliant and marvellous songs".

Craig Reid, whose hit song, Letter from America, was produced by Rafferty, said: "Music was Gerry's passion. He said music is something that you have to pass on to other people. You don't own it and it goes through you. His music reflected that."

His twin brother Charlie added: "Gerry was great for his refusal to sell out and his determination to do his own thing. This man was respected for what he did."

Fan Bruce Alexander, who travelled from Manhattan to attend the funeral, said: "I had to be here today. I had to pay tribute to the man whose music I have loved more than anyone else's in the world."

At the end of the service, members of the public gathered outside gave a round of applause as the funeral cortege departed. The service was followed by a private cremation. It is understood Rafferty's family will scatter his ashes in Iona.

Whatever's Written in Your Heart, by Gerry Rafferty

Wakin' up here on a rainy day

I swore last time that I would stay away

I came down here to talk to you

I said this time I might get through.

I heard us speak but all the words were dead

We talked all night and left it all unsaid

So we agree to disagree

At least we got our memory.

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

Yeah, night and day, night and day.

You've got your secrets yeah and I've got mine

We've played this game now for a long long time

You don't lean on anyone

You never had no place to run.

You never wanted me to get too close

We love and hate the ones we need the most

I tried to find a way to you

One thing I could say to you.

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

Yeah, night and day, night and day.

Maybe I've always set my sights too high

You take the easy way and still get by

I know there ain't no special way

We all get there anyway.

I heard us speak but all the words were dead

Talked all night and left it all unsaid

So we agree to disagree

At least we got our memory.

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

You'll find a way to say it all someday (yeah)

Whatever's written in your heart, that's all that matters

Yeah, night and day, night and day.