SIR HARRY LAUDER

Shannon News, 17 January 1928, Page 4

SIR HARRY LAUDER

FREEDOM OF . EDINBURGH. LONDON, Nov. 26. Sir Harry Lauder defied a civicedict by 'apsing into song when he received the freedom of Edinburgh, his native city, writes the "Otago Daily Times" correspondent. He did not sing with his accustomed vigour, :but rather crooned a verse and a-chorus, which began:— Sing us a simple melody, Sing us a simple tune, Take us back to .Scotland When bluebells arc blooming in June. - "No I ctm’d not do it," he said, turning to the Lord Provost. Afterwards he explained, "I. was ordered by the Lord Provost not to sing, and I told him I would keep mv promise, although I have broken it just n wee bittie." Sir Ilarry, who was dressed in a Highland jacket and a kilt, received from the Lord Provost a casket containing his burgess ticket, which recorded that the honour was in recognition of his valuable services to the Allied cause diming the war, his efforts for war charities, his labours to cement ties of kinship with the dominions, and- his pre-eminence as an exponent: of Scottish song and hum* our. Lord Provost Stevenson said the honor was conferred upon one £>f Edinburgh's own .sous, whese, wonderful gift of song and lovable personality. with its humour, geniality, and pawkincss, had endeared him to countless admirers alike in the o’d world and the new. He also made reference to Sir Harry Lauder’s' war svrvices, when he inspired the troops by liis songs :.nd when lie pleaded the Allies' euro i.i He Hinted- States. He had further succeeded in raising 000 as a fmi>. to give maimed Scottish soldiers and sailers a fresh start in life. ‘

To "The end of the Hoad.’’ "To have Give’s name enrolled among the illustrious names which represent Scotland’s finest heritage' is an honour if which I am humoly proud," said Sir HaHrry. : rr This is the.,greatest hour of my life. I have never boon so enthralled. I have‘been honoured in many cities, both at Home and abroad, but this is the grand finale. You have given me another inspiration. You are driving me back to. the footlights, where I ’expect to be very soon."—(Cheers). In a'brief a'lusioh to the death of Lady Lauder, Sir Hurry said that when everything seemed dark to him he turned on his own record of "The End of the Road," and, as he listened to himself singing, lie said: "Well, old man, you will have to take T»«r own advice ’ and so, lie exclaimed, I will go -oi) to tlie end of the road. At the luncheon which followed. Sir Harry regaled the company with many Scottish stories, and concluded his reply to the toast of his health by intimating a gift of a sum sufficient to provide a number of pensions for aged Edinburgh citizens, in order to perpetuate the name of Lady Lauder.