"Scots, Wha Hae..."

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led;
Welcome to your gory bed,
         Or to victory!

Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power--
         Chains and slavery!

Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave!
Wha sae base as be a slave?
         Let him turn and flee!

Wha for Scotland's king and law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or freeman fa',
         Let him follow me!

By oppression's woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
         But they shall be free!

Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow!--
         Let us do or die!

Scots Wha Hae by Robert Burns

At the beginning of February, we held our Scottish themed highland games First Sunday gathering in honor of Robert Burns, the renowned and romantic poet whose verse still rings out in poem and song over the ages and sings of an earlier time rife with passion, fierce loyalty, and an abiding sense of the homeland. We borrow from poets like Burns since they speak to the heart and echo many of the fundamental facets of human experience spanning the ages, and in inspiring and enkindling turns of phrase. Scottish national heroes like William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Bonnie Prince Charlie come to life and remind us of the natural yearning to follow a brave leader against a common foe, courageous in the face of death. May we embrace our faith and be willing to follow the Lord with like fervor! With a good number of family and friends, we cheer the men and boys while they compete in rousing feats of physical prowess, sing songs of Caledonia, love, loss, war, faith, and friendship, eat a sampling of Scottish fare like shephard's pie, rumbledethumps, and cock-a-leekie soup, and pray together that the King of Kings and His Holy Mother will shower us with roses - to wit, will grant us the graces necessary to claim the true victory, working for His glory and entering at the end of our race the glory of salvation in heaven.

As in years past we held a caber toss and rock throwing competition, with an archery tie-breaker as needed. Notably, in each weight category past winners rose again to take their prizes or to pass the laurel wreath to new victors. Mr. Verlander flipped a caber for the first time in competition, which he took as a first prize in itself! The weather was perfect, and the mood was cheerful - with weeks-old-bouncing-baby-goats delighting the guests in the moments between the rosary, feasting, games, and songs. The bonfire took the chill off once the sun began to set, and it was a joy to hear the music of instruments and lusty voices belting out songs like Bonnie Dundee or rendering with a melancholic touch Will Ye Go, Lassie. Those with any claim shared family history, names, and tartans. We touted our recently discovered Johnstone clan's motto, Numquam Non Paratus, or "never not prepared," which we laughingly admitted we are growing into. 

It is a humble but thoroughly enjoyable affair, and leaves us happy as kings (as they say) by day's end. We are privileged to welcome good-willed families to our home each month to pray and feast and play together, not least through music which endures long in the memory and shapes the days and imaginations of our children's lives. Deo gratias for the simple life, and may we be granted many more years together pursuing a life worth living!