SIR HARRY LAUDER

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 6, 9 January 1928, Page 5

SIR HARRY LAUDER

FREEDOM OF EDINBURGH RETURNING TO FOOTLIGHTS (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 26th November. Sir Harry Lauder defied a civic edict by lapsing into song when he received the freedom of Edinburgh, his native city. He did not sing with his accustomed vigour, but rather crooned a verso and a chorus, which began: Sing us a simple melody, Sing us a simple tune, Take us back to Scotland When bluebells are blooming in June. "No, 1 could not do it," he said, turnto the Lord Provost. Afterwards he explained, "I was ordered by the Lord Provost not to sing, and I told him I would keep my promise, although I have broken it just a wee bittie." Sir Harry, who was dressed iv 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 during 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 humour. Lord Provost Stevenson said the honour was conferred upon one of Edinburgh's own sons, whoso wonderful gift of song and lovable personality, with its humour, geniality, and pawkiness, had unduured him to countless admirers alike in tlie old world and the new. He also made reference to Sir Harry Lander's war services, when he inspired the troops by his songs and when he pleaded the Allies' cause iv the United States. He had further succeeded in raising £.100,000 as a I'iiikl to give maimed Scottish soldiers ami sailors a fresh start in life. TO "THE END OF THE ROAD." ''To have one's name enrolled among the illustrious names which represent Scotland's finest heritage is an honour of which I am humbly proud," said Sir Harry. "This is the greatest hour of my life. I have never been bo enthralled. I have been honoured by 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 bo very soon." (Cheers.) In a brief allusion to the death of Lady Lauder, Sir Harry said that when everything seemed dark to him he turned on his own record of "The End of the Hoad," and, as ho listened to himself singing, he said: "Well, old man, you will have to take your own advice," and so, he exclaimed, "I will go on to the 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.