True Story. Allegedly. The scene is a crematorium in the West of Scotland.


Just before the funeral started, the Son of the Deceased came over to the organist and asked "I was wondering, would it be appropriate if I was to sing at some part of the ceremony?"

The Organist replied that if the son and the rest of the family felt it was appropriate, then of course it was appropriate.

The Son of the Deceased thanked the Organist profusely, saying "It was my mother's favourite song".

"What song is it?"
"The Old Rugged Cross"


The music was found, and at a suitably solemn part of the ceremony the organist played the intro, and the Son of the Deceased started to sing:

"On a hill far away..."

(family all very emotional. Tears in the front row)

"... stood an old rugged cross..."

We don't know whether the singer was nervous, or over-emotional, or perhaps had had a light refreshment beforehand. But within a few bars, he was singing

"..Where the deer and the antelope play..."