Poems

The Scarva Banner

An Ulster bandsman I was, that much is true
The uniform I wore was the Armagh True Blue
Some called me Tam, some would call me Tom
Others just called me BIG SCOTCH TOM

I put in the practice and I put in the time
I loved to hear the Base Drum as we marked time
I learned those notes and kept that beat
Always looking forward to marching the street

I enjoyed the beer and all the craic
When the band went well the pats on the back
I loved being part of that band
If you’re not a bandsman you’ll not understand

The twelfth and Scarva where the main days of the year
Tandragee the Ballymore Inn for that morning beer
Dancing singing on that bus
Knowing that Scarva demesne was waiting on us

We march through Scarva and those mighty crowds
The sun is shining, no sign of darkened clouds
We reach the entrance and hear the welcoming roar
As the Band sergeant blows the whistle “SASH MY FATHER WORE”

The crowds are roaring and cheering us on
Adrenalin is pumping and were going strong
The banners are blowing freely in the wind
Followed by the Black Preceptory and their kin

As we approached the finishing field
The Blood and Thunder has to come to a yield
A hymn for the Top Brass was yearly called
The only one we ever knew was “Nearer My God”

But as I glanced to my side
Away from all the Glory and Pride
I see a Banner as straight as a dye
With writing on it to catch the eye

A man stands there on his own
Proclaiming one King and one Throne
No one talks to him or gives a smile
They just hope he’ll drift on down the road in a while

He hands out tracts and talks of God
The Banner he carries shows his Love for the Lord
But like all things it passed away
I never received that message on that day

I carried on marching and singing the songs
I never thought I was doing any wrong
My fear of God had drifted away
And things of man still ruled me day by day


I often sit and think of the Band
And also of that man’s lonely stand
Why would he want to stand there all day?
Telling us how to wash our Sins away

But now I’ve read of the mighty Saul
And how Jesus made him fall
Persecutor and Hater of Christians....... he hunted them down
Then JESUS knocked him to the ground

He thought he was a man with IRON FIST RULE
Didn’t Jesus show him to be a FOOL
To be an instrument of God THAT WAS PLANNED
Now at last with God’s help I understand

Now I am member of a new band
Who are spreading God’s word throughout this land
We want you chase Satan out
Our motto is “BELIEVE, ACCEPT, NEVER, DOUBT”

By Tom Symington



INSTRUMENT OF GOD..........THE MAN WITH THE BANNER WAS IGNORED SCOFFED AND LAUGHED AT.... EVEN THOUGH HE WAS A INSTRUMENT OF GOD
BOOK OF JUDE VERSE 18...IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL BE SCOFFERS, WHO WILL FOLLOW THEIR OWN UNGODLY DESIRES.

WE THE BAND OF BROTHERS ARE BUT A MODERN VERSION OF THIS MAN, LIKE HIM WE WHERE CALLED TO BE INSTRUMENT’S OF GOD.