Scottish Spiritual Roots

"The Skye Boat Song" is a Scottish waltz and folk song recalling the escape of Charles Edward Stewart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Charles Stuart was the son of deposed King James II. He escaped in a small boat with the aid of Flora MacDonald disguised as a serving maid. James II and his son Charles were Catholic and their opponents feared a restoration of Catholicism.

Although I grew up as a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Canada I discovered that “The Lord’s Supper” four times a year didn’t really answer my spiritual yearning nor did it match the historical and biblical pattern.

There is in traditional orthodox spirituality a threefold pattern: The Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer), Recollection (Informal prayers that recall us into the Presence of God, and Holy Eucharist (“The Lord’s Supper”.

There are some precious things that I have carried with me from my Scottish Presbyterian roots: The Scottish Psalter, an understanding of the centrality of the Word of God in our spiritual lives, and the depth of dedication of some of my Scottish forbearers.

Through C. S. Lewis I have a deep appreciation for George MacDonald who said among other things, “The fire of God, which is His essential being, His love, His creative power, is a fire unlike its earthly symbol in this, that it is only at a distance it burns—that the further from Him, it burns the worse” (C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald: An Anthology), [144].

Another Scots, Robert Murray M”Cheyne (1813 -1483) provides me with an early model for ministry and preaching, “O that God would baptise us this day with the Holy Ghost and with fire, that we all might be changed as into a flame of fire, preaching and building up Christ’s Church till our latest dying hour.” (Ordination Sermon for P. L. Miller, Dundee, 1840).

On the other side Robbie Burns, not known for depth of spirituality, had some legitimate complaints about the hypocrisy that he saw around him,

“Lord, hear my earnest cry and pray'r,
Against that Presbyt'ry o' Ayr;
Thy strong right hand, Lord mak it bare
Upo' their heads;
Lord visit them, an' dinna spare,
For their misdeeds.

(From “Holy Willie’s Prayer”)

The Skye Boat Song

Chorus:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that's born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.

Chorus

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,
Ocean's a royal bed.
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head.

Chorus

Many's the lad fought on that day,
Well the Claymore could wield,
When the night came, silently lay
Dead in Culloden's field.

Chorus

Burned are their homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men;
Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath
Charlie will come again.