Just before school skaled (closed), we all arose and sang the fine
hymn "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing." In the spring when the
swallows were coming back from their winter homes we sang--
"Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Welcome from a foreign shore;
Safe escaped from many a danger ..."
and while singing we all swayed in rhythm with the music. "The
Cuckoo," that always told his name in the spring of the year, was
another favorite song, and when there was nothing in particular to
call to mind any special bird or animal, the songs we sang were widely
varied, such as
"The whale, the whale is the beast for me,
Plunging along through the deep, deep sea."
But the best of all was "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing," though
at that time the most significant part I fear was the first three
words.
With my school lessons father made me learn hymns and Bible verses.
For learning "Rock of Ages" he gave me a penny, and I thus became
suddenly rich. Scotch boys are seldom spoiled with money.
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