A rebel’s song

Since I have some personal experience of this, let me enlighten him. I was around 12 in 1965 and was attending a routine Sunday morning church service (Hillington Park Church of Scotland) in Glasgow.

The entire “hymn” – including said highly offensive verse – was expected to be sung by the congregation. Even then, I was amazed that the sheep in the flock were apparently stupid enough to put up with this nonsense, and I sat down, refusing to take part. Had I been older and more confident I would have objected in a more vocal manner.

Similarly, Robert Cairns (Letters, same day) is patently and demonstrably wrong when he states that “there is not and never has been such a verse in any official version of God Save the Queen”.

On the contrary, I still have my copy of the Church Hymnary, officially recognised by the Church of Scotland (and others) for use in church services.

Furthermore, the hymnary was published as part of the King James Bible issued by The Boys’ Brigade, my copy of which I still possess.

I was one of the suckers expected to sing it from the hymnary on that occasion.

I would not be in the least surprised to find that this was a common experience.

Robert – this is no myth, and whoever the “elements” are within the SNP who are refusing to forget such shameful episodes of our past should be applauded by everyone who has Scotland’s best interests at heart.

Let me state categorically that I would be delighted to be regarded as a rebellious Scot.

Go ahead – try and crush me – make my day!

Iain Lennox

Marine Terrace

Aberdeen