To Swaffham Bulbeck Church for another funeral

Sue and I went to Swafham Bulbeck Church for another funeral today. I say 'another' because they come along rather too often nowadays.

Today's was special, however, for it was a service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr Donald (Don) Yeo who died on the 4th of this month, aged 81. The church was packed, as would have been expected. Don was 'a good old boy' and that is as fine a compliment as can ever be paid to a fine Cambridgeshire gentleman. Our sympathies go out to his widow, Cynthia.

I am a 'don't know' with regard to religion, but among the hymns was one of my all-time favourites, 'The Old Rugged Cross.' I loved singing it again.

"On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory for ever I'll share.

Refrain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown."