To understand this story, one needs to know
that during the American Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman marched
through Georgia, destroying almost everything in his path. To this day his
marching tune "Marching Through Georgia" produces understandable
outrage among the Confederate sons and daughters of Georgia whose
state was devastated by his campaign..
My great uncle Charles C. McClaughry was a bigwig
in the St. Andrews Society of the U.S. One year it fell to him to arrange
for a piper for the annual convention. He duly engaged a white haired
Highland veteran from Edinburgh Castle, who appeared at the Atlanta GA
convention site.
At the appropriate point in the program, Angus came out
on stage and launched into a spirited version of "Marching Through
Georgia" in honor of the convention state.
Immediately he was surrounded on stage by a dozen very
angry Georgia Scots, who demanded to know what he had just played.
Said Angus, with great innocence, "The Black
Watch's Lament Upon Leaving Gibraltar".
Whereupon the anger subsided and the Georgians took
their seats.
Angus went backstage where Uncle Charlie was anxiously
waiting.
"Angus," he said, was that really the
Black Watch's Lament Upon Leaving Gibraltar."
The old Highlander cocked his head, winked, and said
"Och, yerrre a canny mon, Chollie."
Thanks to John McClaughry for sending this
to us.
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