V.I.P. Piper

I like this photo of dad with a friend’s dog at Gretna. The one next to it is with
ex-Prime Minister John Major, during his pre-election campaign.

I wrote this pipe tune with lyrics as a special tribute
to dad so that he will never be forgotten and will
continue to live on through my music.

WILLIAM MARSHALL was his name
He played in hail, sleet, snow and rain
As he’d been the Gretna piper for 44 long years
He made many people smile
Before they turned the crooked stile
He wed thousands of young couples and droves of frail old dears.

But when the place he once enjoyed
Had gone and made him unemployed
When his bills were showing red
They held a barrel to his head
He was locked inside a cage
At almost 60 years of age
So the future for poor Willy was hanging by a thread.

Then they sent another letter
Not getting any better
They’d find another piper if Houston had his way.
But they’d give him a retainer
To act as blacksmith trainer
How can a man survive on such pittance of a pay.

But when he had a pint or two
He knew just what to do
He’d leave the pain behind him
He’d take abuse no more
They hurt him to the core
The doves would soon be set free.

Goodbye to everyone
What has he gone and done
Low pay has cost him dearly
His pipes will sing forever
In Peace Eternally……