Boys' Brigade - Will Your Anchor Hold
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 жов 2010
- Many a Scots lad was kept on the straight and narrow through the turbulent years of adolescence and beyond, thanks to the Boys' Brigade. Its decent values of truthfulness, self-discipline, clean living, self-improvement, duty and cameraderie, and respect for elders lasted until the egotistical, hedonistic sixties made all that appear uncool. The solution to declining numbers was always obvious - "Bring back the dummy rifles!" After all, we're the boys who beat the Kaiser - For Kirk and Country!
God bless all the men who selflessly devoted their hours and energies to making generations of Scottish boys into good Christian men and citizens!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Words: Priscilla Jane Owens
Music: William James Kirkpatrick, 1882
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.
Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave and the wild winds blow,
Shall the angry waves then your bark o'erflow?
Will your eyes behold through the morning light,
The city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore
When life's storms are past for evermore?
![The Boys' Brigade [BB] - The Anchor Song](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IZh-COFGODQ/mqdefault.jpg)
My dad founded the 14th Halifax (Shelf) Company in Sept 1973. This hymn will be sung at his funeral on May 13th 2016. RIP Dad. God rest your soul
My father was a very kind man who would always try to help people if he could. He was a man of great integrity. I believe he got these values from the Boys' Brigade, along with his love of music, a talent for music, seasoned survival skills, and even signals skills, which he used in the army. He was already half-trained by the time he joined up. He once told me that he could have been a rich man if he had been prepared to compromise his integrity, but that he never would. He served in WWII from 1939 to 1945 and was taken prisoner at Arnhem in Holland, and to the infamous Stalag XIB, where he was used as slave labour in the Bad Grund lead mine. He was later put on one of the infamous Death Marches across Germany before being liberated. I believe that he survived all of this because, as a child, he had years of grooming in Christian values and discipline by the Boys' Brigade. He was a humble and ordinary man with exceptional integrity and values. Thank you to the Boys Brigade for giving me a father that I am proud of.
137 - legendary BB, taught me so many lessons as a young lad and installed morals that i still stand by
I'm a proud member of Boys Brigade helps me a lot growing up in this rough world Cheers!
I was a member of the 22nd Asaba Company, Nigeria. God used B.B to make me who I am today. I regret nothing about being a member of the Boys' Brigade
I had this at my beloved partners funeral , he was a in the the brigade for 20 years , it bought the congregation to tears, that was 4 years ago, I play this every night I miss him so much, but this hymn brings me closer to him.
My dad was a member kf Belmont Chuch BB for many years. This was played at his funeral on 29th July 2003, he was aged 83. A wonderful husband & father who is missed every day.
Hello all i am an officer at 1st sittingbourne company in kent, i have been a member of BB for the past 20 years as i started in junior section when i was 9 years old and i am 29 yrs old now, and i like to sing this song it makes me feel proud to be a part of the BB
I'm part of the only Boys and Girls brigade in the USA, and we just went on a trip to visit the Bearsden and Witham BB's! Very cool to see where everything started and learn some of the organizations history 👍
Where in the USA your located
My dad was captain of the 1st Catchgate Boys Brigade (NWD Battalion) for over 25 years, and my mother ran the junior section way longer. The rafters were lifted off the church roof when 'Will Your Anchor Hold' was sang at mam's funeral last year. Great days and great times.
I am now 62yrs old and living in Herts. I came to see this on christmas day. It brought back so many memories.I was a lifeboy in I think 12th Greenock brigade and I was given landyard as I was tallest in group. Then moved up to B/B and this hymn made the hairs on my neck stand up, and this will be sung at my funeral.
I was in the 1st Waltham Cross Company, Herts as bugler then drummer. Happy days.
3rd then 7th Greenock...12th was Mid Kirk church i believe...:)
Greetings form the 1st Kidderminster BB Company. I have been in Boys Brigade for 21 years and have loved every minute of it. I go on seven camps a year and have a great time in tents, church halls, in Wales, Scotland or in England. We are planning camp in Northern Ireland which are looking forward but that will be in 2015.
Always relevant. I am 44, proud to be a BB.
My son is working for his Queen's badge.
The best organisation for boys l.
I’m a member of the boys brigade and it has improved my self confidence and since lockdown have been missing it considering I have many friends and like another family. I’ve been part of the brigade for 7 years and band for 4
Good on you. It's a great way to build confidence. Hope you are back at it.
Past Member of 191st Company , Boy's Brigade Hong Kong
We sang this at my nan's funeral in 1989. I'm not religious but it really lifted the mood. She lived on a ship in her early years as her father was a Captain of a ship - He was called Capt Cook, believe it or not xx
1st Runcorn BB. 9 years.1956-1965. Great times.
I did 5 years in the BB (14th London): it taught me much as far as discipline and self pride went. It also pointed me towards the Lord, though it was some years after leaving teh BB that I took Jesus as my saviour.
Was in The 6th south staffs for many years. Played the bugle on parades. Such happy days. Always brings a lump to my throat when I hear this. Wonderful hymn.
Such a lovely uplifting hymn. Blessings on all war dead and wounded. 🙏
I was a officer in the 9th Widnes boys brigade between the years of 1988 to 2000. Thankfully that bb company still exists. During that time, I enjoyed my time there. I like this hymn and whenever I listen to this, it sends shivers down my spine.
Former First Ekiti company member. God bless the Boys Brigade.
28 year cop, married the "skippers" daughter, my introduction to discipline helped ease me into my police career!
34th North Staffs company member in late 50s and 60s. I can still recite the object of the Boy's Brigade.
"The advancement of Christ's Kingdom amongst boys and the promotion of the habits of obedience, reverence, discipline and self respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness."
I may have gone my own way for a few decades later, but this grounding stood me in good stead. "Sure & Steadfast".
My Father and his brothers were in the Ist Donaghadee Company Co Down NI…They drilled with dummy rifles..One-off my uncles was the Life Boy leader…When I lived in Scotland I was a Junior section officer ,I played the piano for them and taught them club swinging…That company was the 10th Falkirk connected to the Baptist Church…We sang the BB hymn at my Fathers funeral.Will your Anchor hold ,a great hymn based on scripture from Hebrews 6 v 19.This hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both Sure and Steadfast…Amen.🙏
Just came across this. A very poignant memory of my early years. My dad was Captain of the 1st Harthill company for many years and although he passed away 20+ years ago, this was one of the hymns sung at his funeral. He would have loved it. Thanks for posting "Sure & Steadfast".
Just had to play this for My friend Les Snowden 1st Jamestown BB. Today is his funeral and only 18 can attend. What a great man. RIP
Wonderful times in the 88th Birmingham company, I look back with pride at what the Boys Brigade gave me.
This was sung at my beloved dads funeral 18 years ago. He loved the BB & was in Glasgow as a boy & again for 50 anniversary with my mum.
1st Bangor Company, The Boys' Brigade. I learnt the bugle in the B.B. before joining the Royal Irish Rangers/Regiment as a Bugler. Played this tune "Mechanized Infantry" many times and I always thought back to my days in the Brigade! Sure and Steadfast.
Many happy years as an officer / secretary / captain of 2nd Milngavie Company for 20+ years in the 70s and 80s
I was in 145th Glasgow. Great days
Hi Shug. I just seen this post.
I was in the 31st as a Life Boy, then the BB throughout the 60s, and just into the 70s. This was in Bermondsey South London, this was a great time in my life, with good friends, plenty of sports, and the annual camp.
My father was in the 27th Manchester Division from age 11 (in 1925) to 26 (as an officer). He enjoyed the sports and camping, learned several musical instruments, and the experience prepared him to be a valiant soldier during WWII. He was a good and decent man, and I believe this organisation has a lot to do with that.
I just want to say something, although it's my 3rd year in the Boys' Brigade, i learned a lot of new skills in the past 2 years, it was tough, but enjoying, all the push ups, scolding, extra drill training, has taught me the true meaning behind the 4 values in the object of the Boys' Brigade.
Sgt. Adam
Boys' Brigade 23rd Singapore Company.
5th Cardiff! 'The object of the Boys Brigade is the advancement of Christ's kingdom among boys, and the promotion of the habits of obedience, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.'
4th mid Suffolk, wish I found bb earlier in life, some of the best and supportive friends in the world, I'm sure if I wasn't so ill I would've made officer
You maybe weren't taught this but the four habits were obedience reverence discipline and selrespect
In the 8th north staffs boys brigade been serving for 7 years now and every time I hear this song it fills me with pride
G'day,
26th Brisbane here! Thanks for putting this up, have been looking for it!
- Lance Corporal Board
I was a member of the Glasgow 77th Company of the Boy's Brigade. I really liked belting out the hymns that we sang on Sunday mornings, this was one of the and unfortunately possibly mu my very favorite was 'Onwards Christian Soldiers'
Yes, it will. And it did when a mere mortal placed in an employment hierarchy tried to browbeat me on a basis of inequality. If you believe we are all equal in the sight of God, we were not people of the Covenant by chance.
Been in bb for 17 years and still part of it. 19th Nottingham Boys Brigade and Girl's association. Hoping to keep helping now for a long time to come. Only 22 now so plenty of time to come
The march is called 'Mechanized Infantry'.
I grew up in the BB. My dad was an officer. He died in August. My anchor has definitely been tested this year. It's just rolled over into christmas day. Let's hope 2021 is a better year. God bless. 👍
I still uphold the values of of BB from when i was in it in my pre teens.Its a shame that some youngsters arent tought them today.
Magnificent! Lord hold my anchor firm. I'm battered by many storms.
I’m a woman in my 30’s and o have to say this is one of my absolute favourite hymns
Gosh! Does this bring back the nostalgia!
A nice montage of pics. Great to know the song is still as iconic within the Boys Brigade today.
Wonderful! Thank you very much. One of my Grandfather's favourite hymns - so many happy memories.
I'm playing this at my Dads bedside, I hope he can hear it...not long now x
My Uncle Alex won the Silver Bugle before WWII in Glasgow. My cousins will have to fill in the details. He went on to be the youngest NCO in the British Army, serving in the HLI. He never spoke about his wartime experience which included evacuation from Dunkirk. RIP Uncle Alex.
Happy memories of BB, 73rd London and 5th North Surrey. Part of the London Bugle Band at Ibrox Stadium 1983
im 32, i came here because i had a dream last night i was a kid again, and at the boys brigade, 25th Edinburgh
Fair enough. If you dislike militarism, the BB will be beyond the pale for you. Hierarchy is a bit more ambiguous. We all know its drawbacks, but if you feel part of a community, you're happy to acknowledge leadership based on merit and experience, if you feel it's deserved. The Christian message in the Church of Scotland was always that all are equal in the sight of God.
I'm from 5th Singapore company. This was one of our camp theme songs, brings back memories.
I Remember attending the centenary celebrations held in Ibrox in 1983 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I Was a member of the 4th Bradford company I loved every minute. The Company captain was Eric Hudson. I was in when BB Celebrated its Centenary in 1983 I still have my New testament Bible with a message from the Queen in the front
Former member of the 10th Teesside Company [ aka 1st Thornaby ] in the 1960s & 1970s. From the Life Boys to the Company Section.
Been a BB member for 12 years now and it has taught me so many things and all I can say is that I'm proud to be apart of the Boys Brigade
God bless the BB!
1st Kilmacolm company reporting! I enjoyed my days in the Boys Brigade. I moved to the states, where we don't have the BB - but based on my experiences, I have encouraged my sons to join the scouts. (even tho they were seen as 'the enemy" when ah was a kid LOL)
Oh, I was also in a Port Glasgow company, forget the number!
Certainly drilled a lot of values and morals into me eventhough I didn't realise or apprieciate it at the time. Such a sense of duty and service before self. A virtue rarely seen today.
1st Farnham BB
Sure and Steadfast - always and forever
Grateful to the Boy's Brigade, 1st Colne Company, Captain C K Jones and his deputy Kevin Hartley! Great times.
Snap! I joined the Lifeboys before moving on to two different BB companies in Edinburgh. Great memories. Without the BB camps, I wouldn't have had a decent holiday in my youth, nor would I have acquired skills like First Aid and drumming (but nobody tried me out on the bugle - maybe not a bad thing!). I persuaded my own kids to follow in my footsteps and join youth organisations - a great benefit. Ands here's another near-Snap! I married a braw, braw lass frae Galashiels.
We had a neighbour who was a stalwart of the Nottingham Boys' Brigade .....I well remember him marching out on a sunday in full uniform..Mr Bernard Pettinger.
..
BB 1st Castlederg
"Grant in thy mercy that every member, past and present, may prove steadfast in his fight against evil, and true in his allegiance to you"
Was i the BB in Scotland , even went on camping trips , all part of being brought up protestant 🇬🇧🏴
I was a wee Scots lad kept on the straight and narrow by the BB. Joined the Lifeboys first then into the BB. Love the old photo's and the band at the end WOW. Pleased to say that I was the only ever member of the 1st Galashiels Company (St. Pauls) to play in the Bugle Band. I also spent 20 years in the RAF so it must have done me some good. Left before the "Thunderbird" hats came in thank goodness. Bayden-Powell got Cpt. Smith's advice when forming The Boy Scouts, the BB is an older outfit
I used to be in the Boys Brigade and we sang this hymn a lot.
Drummer, 14th London. The values I learnt in the BB in the late 50s & early 60s are still with me today.
Great memories of my time in the 1st.Enfield BB, Queen's Man and Colour Sergeant (like my father before me) and a bugler. I think I'm right in saying that all bugle marches were written on five notes - clever old stuff :-)
206th Glasgow.. mid 50’s ..just came across this ...summer camps Isle of Arran..lifelong memories and friends
206th?
Ours only went up to 6th and three of them have stopped
Was a member of 1st Livingstone Life Boys (Zambia 1964) and 13th Salisbury (later Harare Zimbabwe) 1996-1974 - incredible.
Was a member of the 2nd Paignton.Many happy memories.Still play up to this time although its the C Trumpet now
East Kilbride 6th BB Company Section done my Anchor Boys and Junior Section between the 1st and 5th before moving overseas then returning to start back again at the 6th. Still over 30 years ago the grounding this organisation gives you is phenomenal
Nothing wrong with the BB's, taught us respect, independence and treat folk the way you'd like to be treated! I enjoyed so many happy times and where I grew up we needed it! The church was the centre and everyone was welcome. I often think back about how proud I was of earning a badge! Did me a lot of good and didn't follow fashions, didn't need to. It was doing good things. I'm only 51 yet feel for younger generations because they don't get it! It's not on X box or PS3! How sad!
Thanks for posting. Great memories in the BB's.
Thanks for the burst of yesteryear...I too benefitted from the BB bands and camps et al. I still play most of the snare beats like "Grenadiers" and "chopsticks" and was lucky enough to have a great band leader in Chris Faulkner who got us kids in North London to parade with other tunes too like "What now my love" and "Rock around the Clock" ...a lot of fun and where are the marching bands of today for our youth at events ? Too busy getting arthritus with thumbs on their mobiles !!
I was in the 5th East Kilbride, associated with the West Parish Church, Village, EK.
Captain Stenhouse (RIP) was a wonderful man.
Great time of my life, 35 plus years ago.
We would attend on the Friday night at the Church hall, then finish the night off with a sausage supper from the Village fish and chip shop on Montgomery Street, as we walked home.
Hear we go; roll call.
Dougie Barclay, Jim Percy (marshland-no go!), Roddy MacRimmond, Stuart McDonald, Ronnie and Derek Stenhouse (the Captains kids), Billy Clydesdale (RIP big man), big Kerso and all the other west mains boys. Wonderful organisation.
We had a weekend down at Electric Brae, Croy shore, Ayrshire and we stayed in the billet down there, which I believe at the time belonged to a BB company in Glasgow. Can't recall which Company though, as it was 1983. (wee while ago!!!).
The same year we were at Ibrox Stadium, for the Centenary.
My two sons were in the Anchor boys, moving up to the BB Company section, associated with Canberra Pri School.
To all parents and grandparents out there; you should consider enrolling your little ones into the BB.
They will promote self respect (and to others) and discipline, among other things.
Wonderful organisation.
Sure and Steadfast.
so proud to serve in this great organization! carried the Queen's flag for a couple of years now... perhaps I'll see ole Liz out & get to carry the King's flag!
I was a sergeant in the 2nd Wishaw company in the early/mid 1960's - great times!
1st Haggs B.B member for many years. Good times. 😊👍
Brings back many happy memories.
Lost my dad a month ago. He was a BB officer. We played this at his funeral. My anchor was tested that day. ✝️
With great respect and sympathy, he is not "lost". I think that we both know exactly where he is. Blessings to you and all those whom you love.
@@Antifogasta thanks. Thought about what you said a lot today 🙏👍
The BB values are good, and as relevant to young men today as yesterday.
This song is currently my family theme song for 2018.
A terrific organisation, I was in 1st. Drumchapel which became 2nd.Glasgow under Captain Douglas smith, great memories.
Member of 3rd Kota Kinabalu Company , Boys Brigade the best.
1st Carrickfergus Company....I am now 64 years old and still miss BB on a Friday night!!
Many of the dandy and beano comics were based on b.b. members mostly 18th dundee capt david donald , joined as officer 1895 , reporter, latter editor girls comics d c thomson, r.d.low 3rd dundee ymca. Latter editor d.c.thomson . Lord snooty, wee peam all bb. He joined in 1912 as a 14 year old , also great gymnast sportsman 1926 won of scotlands best amateur teams y.m anchorage built arround him the team of bb lads and men the good old days 😊😊
Once BB, always BB
amen, the anchor still holds!!!
12th Dublin, great tune
I was in the 2nd Macduff BB Coy, Banffshire, 1960-1965. Sadly, the Company was disbanded a few years ago. I want "Will Your Anchor Hold?" sung when I pass away.
You can't have been a BB if you don't remember the bugle bands!
we were in the 1st Company of Brunei Darussalam. good times.
52nd Bahamas Company here
Was a member of the 145th.Eastwood Co.Glasgow.....Happy Days!! Wish I was still there.
The Pill Box hat is much nicer than what they wear today…
14th Haringey. This hymn still raises the hair on the bank of my next
105 Lewisham north. silver bugle winner at the Albert hall in 1962. great times