It’s important folk think on their ending,
And tell other friends of their choice
To be buried, cremated – whatever –
Leave no doubts, let them all hear your voice.
For myself, I would wish for cremation,
But no garden remembrance for me:
Instead, my remains should be scattered
From the cliffs, high above the North Sea,
In a place I have loved all my lifetime;
In Auchmithiie I wish to remain
Until the wheel turns its full circle,
Until I’m reborn once again.
My reason’s threefold for my choosing,
For a cemetery holds no appeal.
How morbid, depressing and sterile,
Forgotten loved ones, it seems so unreal
With graves overgrown and neglected
And dead flowers ranked on each side;
I’d rather folk gazed on the ocean
And remembered my friendship with pride.
Have a meal, raise a glass to my memory,
Maybe walk on the beach for a while;
Save your tears for the living who suffer,
And remember my life with a smile.
I’ve always been proud of my country,
Loved Scotland with all of my heart.
Every atom’s a product of Scotland
From my home my remains shouldn’t part.
And when all that’s left are the ashes,
If everything goes as I planned,
Let the sea winds disperse them through Angus:
My remains, give back life to the land.
Fertilise all that grows in Glen Isla,
And nourish the berries and fields,
Repay my debt to Caledonia,
Participate in future yields.
While my last reason’s really quite silly,
I’ve never done things by a half.
Even now I imagine the mourners,
For I’ve always been fond of a laugh.
As the winds that blow up from the harbour
Carry what’s left in their wake,
I can picture folk diving for cover,
Hear the voices that shout ‘Heaven’s sake!’
And while at the end I’ve departed,
I enjoyed all my days, foul or fair,
Though memories may not long linger,
You’ll not get me out of your hair.
By and in memory of Rolf Campbell