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Monday, November 28, 2005

What Waste!!!

***** WARNING!!! *****
This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

********************

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

A little while ago, I was watching a televised documentary about the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the Cold War.

They showed film footage of British soldiers and sailors dumping tons of surplus munitions at sea, as the West would no longer be supplying the Soviets with Lend-Lease weapons or equipment.

My initial thought was,

"What a terrible waste!!!"

Then I thought,

"Why didn't they take that stuff back to England, and issue each and every citizen of the British Isles, free of cost, a rifle, carbine, shotgun, pistol(s), and ammunition?"

If they had done that, and trained each citizen in the responsible use of firearms, there wouldn't be a problem with violent crime in England today.

But, alas, they still haven't learned.

In England, just as in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Illinois, and New York City, when no one is permitted to possess firearms, the many prey upon the few, and the strong prey upon the weak.

Proper firearms application by the weak and the few negates their inequality when confronted by an imminent threat.

Then I wondered about something else.

When I see news articles reporting violent crimes elsewhere in the United States, I have to ask,

"Why, if it was legal to do so, weren't those crime victims armed?"

If the victims, who resided in locales where firearms are legal, had been armed, then they probably wouldn't have been victims!

Why, when I watch a television show or a movie, are the victims always unarmed and helpless, even when the story takes place in a location where private citizens can be legally armed?

What is this strange aversion Americans have towards wearing a pistol, even when the law permits them to?

Why won't they face the reality of the world we currently live in?

Arm yourselves, People!

It does no good to carry a pistol in your car's glove compartment, or to store it unloaded and locked up in a safe or cabinet.

To be effective, you need to actually WEAR the firearm on your person.

Any competent firearms dealer or peace officer can advise you on which type of holster best suits your particular need.

In fact, I would like to see EVERY individual EVERYWHERE wearing a firearm, even when it's illegal.

If everybody would do that, it would be impossible for police and courts to arrest or prosecute anyone for violating a gun law, forcing repeal of those onerous edicts of tyranny.

It's high time we citizens made our police, our bureaucrats, and our politicians tremble with FEAR for their safety!

After all, the true purpose of our Second Amendment is to guarantee our inalienable right to life and liberty by insuring that we, the people, have the ability to rise up in bloody revolt against the tyranny of government.

Also, the true purpose of our CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES is to LIMIT the power of the federal government.

According to our CONSTITUTION, our federal government is not allowed to do many of the things its been doing for many years, including the numerous unconstitutional restrictions on firearms.

Yes, I think passengers on commercial airlines should be armed.

Why not?

They used to be, and in those bygone days of yore, there were no problems with skyjackers until after the gun restrictions were publicly announced, thus informing potential criminals and saboteurs that law-abiding airline passengers would henceforth be easily cowed.

And yes, I think even a convicted felon, who has completed his sentence, should have the same inalienable right to life and liberty which the rest of us have.

What of the truly penitent former felon who now operates a legitimate business and has the responsibility of keeping his family safe from harm?

Anyway, my views on the penal system warrant a totally separate blog, as I'm convinced the entire penal code should be scrapped, and the prisons torn down.

If ancient Israel, wandering in the Wilderness, didn't need any prisons, then why do we?

What did they do that we don't, or what is it we're doing that they didn't?

Why are overburdened taxpayers compelled to erect ever more and larger prisons, as the criminal element continues to mushroom exponentially?

What's wrong with this picture?

Thank you.


John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Friday, November 25, 2005

MOVIE CRITIQUE: "ALL MINE TO GIVE"

***** WARNING!!! *****
 
This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).
 
Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

********************
Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:
 
Here is a nice Scottish movie, "ALL MINE TO GIVE", which I just now saw on late night television, and it's also sort of Christmassy.
 
Here is an Internet URL where you can read about the movie:
 
http://www.moviepicks.org/movie.asp?MovieID=45
 
A true event, it's based on a short story, "THE DAY THEY GAVE BABIES AWAY".
 
The URL for that story is:
 
http://www.ipgbook.com/showbook.cfm?bookid=0942257219
 

The movie had already started when I began watching it, but it's a true account about a Scottish couple from Shetland who pioneer in the wilderness of Wisconsin during the middle of the Nineteenth Century.
 
Since I wasn't raised with any knowledge of my Scottish heritage, I did not recognize the movie's background theme music.
 
Maybe one of you all can enlighten me?
 
WARNING: This movie is old-school schmaltz, a genuine sentimental tear-jerker!!!
 
Thank you.

 
John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400
 
" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Anarchy in Washington, D.C.!!!

***** WARNING!!! *****
This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

********************
Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

I slept all day long, awakening well after 2100 Hours (9:00 P.M.).

Yes, it was Thanksgiving Day, but I knew better than to even try to go to the mess hall (long lines, very crowded), so I bought me some goodies at the PX, and stayed up all last night, so I could sleep all day today.

Smart, huh?

Turning on the television, I watched a few minutes of the movie, and then checked the TV Guide channel to see if anything good was coming on.

I was shocked to see that there were NO episodes of "LAW AND ORDER" scheduled on any channel, not even on the channels that show it in reruns.

Do you realize what that means?

If there is no "LAW AND ORDER", then we have only anarchy left!

Further, I didn't see any episodes of "COPS" scheduled.

So, I reckon it's every man for himself, and let the Devil take the hindmost!

Thank you.


John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Winter 2006 AR ORAN AGUS AR CEOL

AR ORAN AGUS AR CEOL

(OUR SONG AND OUR MUSIC)

By: John Robert Mallernee, Clan Bard

I was watching a movie on television, "MY LIFE SO FAR", which is about a boy growing up in Scotland prior to the Second World War.

During the movie, his mother and an aunt perform a duet of "RED RED ROSE", composed by Robert Burns in 1794.

What immediately caught my ear was the melody was more or less identical to the ORIGINAL melody for "AULD LANG SYNE".

The traditional music for "AULD LANG SYNE" that we hear today has become far more popular than the tune originally intended by Robert Burns.

**********

RED RED ROSE

Composed By:

Robert Burns, Beloved Bard of Scotland

My love is like a red red rose

That's newly sprung in June.

My love is like the melody

That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonny lass,

So deep in love, am I; And I will love thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun;

And I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life still run.

And fare thee weel, my only love!

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my love,

Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

**********

You can read more about the movie, "MY LIFE SO FAR", and purchase the video over the Internet, using your home computer.

Just type "MY LIFE SO FAR" into the window of your browser's search engine, and you should find it easily.

Also, for devotees of Robert Burns (and who isn't?), there is an excellent web site featuring anything and everything about Robert Burns, including everything he ever wrote, plus a nice selection of gifts.

The URL is:

http://robertburns.org/

So, go ye forth and have some fun!

Slainte mhath, y'all!



John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Mormon Racism

***** WARNING!!! *****

This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

********************

MORMON RACISM

By: John Robert Mallernee

Isn't the convenience of our contemporary computer Internet wonderful?

It's probably the last public forum left where freedom to express unpopular opinions is still permitted.

But, in many countries outside of the United States of America, even the expression of personal opinions on the World Wide Web is restricted, and individuals can be subjected to criminal prosecution and harsh imprisonment.

Opening up our BOOK OF MORMON, in the Thirty-Third Verse of the Twenty-Sixth Chapter of the Second Book of Nephi, we are told:

" - - - and he (our Lord, Jesus, the Christ) denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."

So, how can I, a convert in the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints (i.e., the so-called "Mormon" church) possibly justify racial prejudice?

Well, I reckon it's basically instinctive, and ultimately comes down to one word - - - survival.

The reality of the world we now live in dictates that white people had better wake up quickly, or we'll soon become extinct, or dominated by people who do not share our heritage or values.

White people have already become a minority in almost every American metropolis, and even in some states.

When I was a boy, I grew up mostly in North Carolina, in a small military community that was racially segregated.

The elementary school I attended had only white students and faculty.

The congregation and ministers of the local Methodist church I attended were white, as were all of my neighbors, all of the business operators, and all community officials, including our town's lone police officer.

The so-called "Civil Rights Movement" began and grew as I was growing up.

Typical of idealistic and rebellious youth, I welcomed all the changes, thinking all men should be brothers, and everyone should be equal.

Like other white youths, I laughed at the Ku Klux Klan, for they WERE rather ridiculous caricatures, showing themselves to be ignorant and cowardly drunkards.

But, many long years have passed, and now my opinions have changed completely (except towards the embarrassing impotence of the Ku Klux Klan).

Forced racial integration was an idealistic noble experiment which failed abysmally.

The effort by white people to try and improve the standard of living for their black brethren backfired.

Instead of making life better for black people, as was intended, the standard of living, which was contingent on morality, was lowered for everybody, both black and white.

Further, the movement militantly advocating preferential treatment for black people was quickly followed up by similar militant movements demanding (and getting) open acceptance of illegal narcotics, negation of traditional family structure, societal feminization and emasculation, homosexuality, and harboring religions and cultures hostile to Christianity.

First of all, forcing racial integration never should have been permitted, for you don't make white people and black people like each other by sending in troops with bayonets.

In the name of trying to correct one injustice, we instituted a far greater injustice, as we allowed repeated violations of nearly every provision in our CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, to the extent that we have possibly forever forfeited the inalienable rights of individual citizens.

Once unconstitutional powers have been usurped by government, citizens cannot regain their liberty without bloodshed.

Also, it's time to admit that people ARE different, and to quote a line from "EXODUS", one of my favorite Hollywood movies, "we LIKE being different!"

Why are American Indians permitted to live on reservations, but white people can't live in exclusively white communities?

If the United States of America actually won the Second World War, then why do we now enthusiastically do what we condemned Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich for?

Just like Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich, the United States of America, along with Canada and all of Europe, now publicly endorses racial preference and racial persecution.

Only the names have changed.

Today, instead of the Jews being persecuted, the favorite public scapegoat is the white man.

The race which currently gets preferential access to education, financing, and employment opportunities is the black, or people of color.

Is our objective to punish Adolph Hitler by destroying white America?

Along with the obvious racial inequities and indignities, the United States of America has copied Nazi Germany in numerous other ways, such as instituting restrictions on private ownership of firearms, national control over private enterprise, financial resources, orchestrated control over information media, ridiculing of religion, restricting freedom of expression, and even copying the highway system, weapons, and uniforms of the Third Reich.

So, who REALLY won the Second World War?

No, I'm not in favor of arbitrarily persecuting black people merely because they were born different.

I want everybody to enjoy opportunities for a full and productive life while we are so briefly partaking of mortality.

Life is challenging enough, and we all die, so why make things more difficult?

But, on the other hand, I believe racial bias is a natural instinct, given to us by our Almighty God for our protection.

I want my white race, with its idealism, morality, and heritage to SURVIVE!

And, yes, it does appear that the hour has grown late, and what's left of the white race may very soon fade into oblivion.

Whites reproduce in low numbers, or not at all, as the birth rates of other racial groups are exploding exponentially, ignoring or flouting moral guidance.

Ah, yes, when whites constituted the power structure, we were idealistic, seeking to help everyone, regardless of race.

Now, when blacks attain power, how will they conduct themselves?

For the answer, we need only look at Africa, where blacks now rule, and where whites have been driven out.

Or, we can examine almost any American megalopolis, including the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Do you really want to live like that?

No, it's not because of skin color that I'm prejudiced against black people.

It's because of how they conduct themselves!

It's how black people present themselves to the world.

If white people act like that (and many do), I don't want to associate with them, either.

Yes, I know I'm generalizing, and that there are always individual exceptions in every group.

I've met many fine, religious, educated, moral, and responsible black people.

Likewise, I've met many despicable, idiotic, amoral, and irresponsible white people.

But, generally speaking, when all is said and done, I prefer associating with others of my own race, who aspire to similar ideals, and espouse similar values in morality and education.

I want my white race to survive and prosper.

I hope it's not too late.

Thank you.




John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Winter 2006 IONNSAICHADH AR CANAN


IONNSAICHADH AR CANAN

(LEARNING OUR LANGUAGE)

By:

John Robert Mallernee, Clan Bard

We often hear that the safest subject to discuss is the weather.

So, let's try greet each other and chat a little about the wind and the rain.

The information I'm attempting to write about comes from the compact disk, "SPEAKING OUR LANGUAGE", which is available for purchase on the World Wide Web, using your home computer.

But, having grown up in America, speaking only English, my ear is not trained to accurately understand spoken Gaelic, and I understand that there are sounds in Gaelic which are not made in English, as speakers of those two languages occasionally will differ in the way they move their lips, tongue, and larynx.

Being able to enunciate the correct sounds is one of the difficulties in trying to learn a foreign language, and why American soldiers in far off lands are so prone to comical errors when they try to meet girls or do any shopping.

It's also the reason we native Americans can detect a foreign accent when English is spoken by someone who wasn't born here, and why English spoken by folks in a small North Carolina town (like where I grew up) doesn't sound anything like English spoken by folks in Boston, Massachusetts.

So, I'll do my best to try and phonetically convey what I am hearing when I play the "SPEAKING OUR LANGUAGE" CD ROM on my computer.

First of all, as the sun comes up, greet your wee ones with a peck on their brow and the words, "Madainn mhath!"

It's pronounced as "mah-tin vah", and means "Good morning!"

During the day, you can greet someone by saying, "Hallo!" or "Hai!", which is just exactly like the "Hello!" and "Hi!" that we say every day right here in America, unless you grew up in North Carolina, where it's required to add "y'all!" to your greeting.

(Well, to be truthful, Tar Heels are much more likely to say, "Howdy, y'all!")

You can also say, "Lath math!" which means, "Good day!", and is pronounced "lah-mah".

Later in the day, you might say, "Feasgar math!", which means "Good afternoon!, and is pronounced "fis-ker mah".

If it's a beautiful day outside, you can comment by saying, "Tha i breagha an diugh!", which means "It's lovely today!", and is pronounced as, "hi bree-ah ahn joo!"

Someone might respond by saying, "Tha. tha i cluin an diugh.", which means, "Yes. It is calm today.", and is pronounced as "hah. hi cloo-in ahn joo."

But, as you're caught in a sudden rainstorm, you exclaim, "Chan eil! Chan eil cluin! Tha i fluich an diugh!", which means, "No! It's not calm! It's wet today!", and is pronounced as, "hahn a-ell! hahn a-ell clooin! hi floo-ick ahn joo!"

As the sun sets, and the gales blow, amid brilliant bolts of lightning with deafening thunderclaps, you begin running towards your inn, asking your companion, "Tha i fiudhaich a-nochd, nach eil?", which means, "It's stormy tonight, isn't it?", and is pronounced as, "hi fyoor-aash ah-nockt, nah a-ell?"

Do you notice anything unusual here?

The Gaelic word for "night", while spelled slightly different, is pronounced EXACTLY the same as it is in German, or the "Deutsch" language.

Also, don't you think the Gaelic word for "day" sounds awfully close to the same word in French?

The French add an "r" to the end of it, but otherwise, it sounds the same, even though it's spelled differently.

Of course, the Celtic peoples were once found throughout Europe, and there has been much exchange among the various languages, as Scots and Scotland have conquered or been conquered throughout the centuries.

I think it's really interesting to note how languages evolve and transit the globe, growing among people to people throughout aeons of history.

And don't you just love the fact that so many Gaelic words are now unconsciously part of our normal English language?

Anyway, as Winter descends upon us, you can shiver and say, "Tha i fuar!", which means, "It's cold!", and is pronounced, "hi foo-er".

So, you stoke your fireplace until it's to your satisfaction, when you say, "Tha i blath.", which means, "It's warm.", and is pronounced, "hi blah".

Then, as you tuck your wee ones in with a kiss and a story, you bid them, "Oidhche mhath leat!", which means, "Good night to you!" (informal style - - - used only with people you know), and is pronounced, "oy-kya vah laht!"

As you close their bedroom door, you lightly say, "Cadal math dhut!", which means "Sleep well, you!" (informal style), and is pronounced as "kah-tahl mah dyoot!" (IF my untrained ear understood the example properly).

We make our farewells in the Highlander language by saying, "Chi mi a-rithist sibh!", which means, "I'll see you later!", and is pronounced (to my untrained ear) as "kee mee ah-ree-ahst shiv."

"Goodbye!" is "Mar sin leibh!", pronounced "mar shin leev."

Well, there's much more, but this report is about as well as I can do at the moment.

Slainte mhath, y'all!




John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Autumn 2005 IONNSAICHADH AR CANAN

IONNSAICHADH AR CANAN (LEARNING OUR LANGUAGE)

By: John Robert Mallernee, Clan Bard

Well, now I'll once again demonstrate my ignorance by trying to teach YOU a subject I don't know!

We have a new guy here at the Ol' Soldiers' Home, who retired from the United States Marine Corps, and then completed a second career, retiring as a deputy sheriff in New Hampshire.

Of Clan Campbell, he is very proud of his Scottish military heritage, quite knowledgeable of Scottish culture, owns three different kilts, religiously attends every local Scottish event, has visited Scotland, and wears the official insignia of a Highland regiment tattooed on his arm.

I had learned on the Internet to pronounce "Slainte" as "Slahn-cha".

But, this new guy says I learned it incorrectly.

He says "Slainte" is actually pronounced "Slawn-juh" (or something resembling that).

As I'm writing this, I wish I could double-check with him, but right now, he's away attending Scottish gatherings in New England.

When you first meet someone in the Highlands or Islands where this language is still spoken, you might wish to ask them their name.

To do this, you say, "De an t-ainm a th' oirbh?", which is pronounced "jay ahn teh ahn-num a or-riv".

This is the formal style of address, used respectfully with strangers or those in authority.

There is an informal version, used for children or students, but I'll not bother with that.

The fact is, EVERY thing you choose to say in Scottish Gaelic has a formal version and an informal version, but whenever possible, I'm only teaching the formal version, as I'm already confused enough, and don't need to make things worse.

I figure if you always address someone formally, you won't accidentally insult them.

When giving your own name, you would say, "Is mise (your name)", which is pronounced "Is mish-sha" and the literal translation is, "Am I".

For instance, I might say (if I thought I could get away with it!), "Is mise Baird Iain Mac Uilleam a Clann Mac Eanruig".

It would be pronounced as "Is mish-shah bayard Eeyan Mack Oollyum ah Klawn Mack In-rick", and literally means, "Am I (the) Poet John, Son of William, (and) of the Children of the Son of Henry".

How's that for a mouthful?

If you'll use your home computer to look it up on the Internet, you'll find that every common English name has its equivalent in the Highlander tongue.

Now, I reckon nearly everybody knows that the word "Mac" means "son".

But, females do NOT use "Mac" in front of their father's name.

The word for "daughter" is "Nic", which is pronounced as "Nick", and thus, females refer to themselves as "Nic Eanruig" (or whatever).

As in all my previous reports, I invite any of you to correct me if I'm doing any of this wrong, for I've never been to Scotland, and I'm trying to learn, a little bit at a time, while handicapped by very limited resources.

If you want to inquire where someone is from, you ask,

"Co as a tha sibh?", which is pronounced, "ko ahs ah hah shiv?"

Each country has its own name in Gaelic, but if you tell them you're from "America", they'll still understand you.

Well, I reckon that's about enough for now.

I hope my efforts are able to help somebody, but sometimes, I've really got to wonder?

Slainte mhath, y'all!



John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."

Autumn 2005 AR ORAN AGUS AR CEOL

AR ORAN AGUS AR CEOL

(OUR SONG AND OUR MUSIC)

By: John Robert Mallernee, Clan Bard

Now, I'll teach you about a classic Scottish song, which most of you good Scottish clansmen probably already know.

It's "GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH", composed by Robert Burns, and published in 1784 in his "COMMONPLACE BOOK".

I learned to play and sing this song by listening to the (mostly Irish) female band, CHERISH THE LADIES, on their album, "ONE AND ALL - THE BEST OF CHERISH THE LADIES", which I obtained from the GREEN LINNET web site.

If you wish to shop for Celtic music albums, or even use your home computer to listen to entire albums BEFORE (!) you purchase, their web site address is:

http://www.greenlinnet.com/

Sometimes, they even give away albums, and I've got three or four albums which I received free from the GREEN LINNET web site.

There's an interesting story about the song, "GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH", although I've been told it's merely an "urban legend", a popular bit of mythology which sounds good, but is actually false.

According to the story, the reason Mexicans call Americans "Gringo", is because many of the early settlers in Texas, being mostly of Celtic heritage, enjoyed singing "GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH".

It is even claimed that the night before the Alamo fell, the men kept up their spirits by singing this song.

It is true that David Crockett (he never called himself "Davey") was a first generation Scottish immigrant and played the fiddle.

Another defender at the Alamo was John MacGregor, a Scottish immigrant, who played the bagpipes.

History records that during that final night, David Crockett and John MacGregor had a "musical duel", which David Crockett lost, since John MacGregor knew more songs, and could play longer than David Crockett did.

So, all you bonny lads and lassies, here now is your bonny song:

**********

GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH

Composed in 1784 by:

Robert Burns

VERSE # 1:

There's not but care on every hand

Of every hour that passes, oh,

That signifies the life of man,

And 'twere not for the lassies, oh!

CHORUS:

Green grow the rushes, oh.

Green grow the rushes, oh.

The sweetest hours that e'er I spent

Were spent among the lassies, oh.

VERSE # 2:

The worldly race, their riches chase

And riches still may fly them, oh.

And when at last, they catch them fast,

Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, oh!

VERSE # 3:

Give me a quiet hour at e'en,

My arms around my deary, oh,

And warly cares and warly men

May a' gae topsy turvy, oh!

VERSE # 4:

For you so grave, ye sneer at this,

Ye're not but senseless asses, oh.

The wisest man the world e'er saw,

He dearly loved the lassies, oh!

**********

Moran taing agus slainte mhath!

(Pronounced as "moor-ahn tyenng ah-kus slahn-cha vah", that means, "Many thanks and health good!")


John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."