Scotus – Scotland in Europe

The story of John Duns Scotus whose feast day is celebrated on November 8th

Written by and (c) Sean Fitzgerald and Gerry Fitzpatrick
Glasgow 1992 and 2008

No 1. The annual Pilgrimage from Whitekirk to Haddington in East Lothian in honour of the Three Wise Men. Children in procession as peasants, townspeople, travellers, religious, people of all sorts. There should be banners and some dancers. All the schools sing the refrain: ‘Gold and Frankincense’ while the choir schools (and any who want to) sing the verses accompanied by the brass band.

Scene 1: The Pilgrimage.
Gold and Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh, these are precious things.
Gold and Frankincense, Gold and myrrh, gifts for the King, the King of Kings.
Gold and Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh, brought by the Three Wise Men,
Gold and Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh to the stable in Bethlehem.

We are celebrating God’s wisdom in a boy,
both what he sought and what he’d found
and how it brought him joy.

Verse 1
Johnnie was this Scottish lad, from Duns near Haddington.
He went to school, he played his games, his life was full of fun.
Johnnie’s fam’ly travelled upon a pilgrimage;
for him it was a holiday he spent with friends his age.
They sang and played and marched along to pibbroch, pipe, and drum,
and though the time passed by so fast they prayed sometimes as well.

Verse 2
At the annual pilgrimage, young Johnnie had the job
of carrying the frankincense, to make it swing and bob.
There he’d meet his uncle, a friend from Dumfries –
his name was Joe, a friendly monk always a man of peace.

No. 2. Uncle Joseph and the Children. Uncle Joseph comes forward during the instrumental link, and some children sit around him.
Scotus sings the question, Uncle Joseph gives three verses of answer,
all the children sing the 4th verse: ‘France and Scotland’, and the solo Scotus concludes the scene.

1: No 2 Brother Joseph
Uncle Joseph, tell us of this pilgrimage that we are travelling;
how the Wise Men saw the star and set out on their way.

Verse 1.
“I have travelled over Europe, a wand’ring Friar is meant to get about helping people know that God is still with them.
Frankincense, a sign of faith, is as smoke which rises in the air just as prayer is lifted up before the face of God.

Verse 2.
Wise Men were such busy people with lots to do and lots to think about, yet they always knew that God was on their side.
They would kneel and say their prayers to him, knowing each night he watched over them, taking great delight in knowing that he’s there .

Verse 3
Children, you must think of God each day, talk to him as Jesus told us to, knowing that our Father listens with great care,
so bring your gifts of prayer to Bethlehem, join the kings and all the friends with them, give the baby lying there your Frankincense.

Verse 4
France and Scotland, Spain and Germany, Ireland, Italy and Sicily, England, Lithuania and Portugal.
People look to God in ev’ry need, seeing that he cares for ev’ry one. Singing, dancing, giving him his rightful place ,
Uncle Joseph, we would like to know so much more about these famous men, maybe you can tell us more when journey’s at an end.

The Narrator speaks against the music preparing for Scene 2

Scene 2: No 1 Children dance a Gavotte, others stand around banners which indicate that we are in Paris near Notre Dame Cathedral awaiting King Philip, known as Philip the Fair.

Scene 2. No 1. Dancers in the square at Notre Dame, Paris

Scene 2. No 2. The music speeds up and the children sing ‘On what a joy’

Chorus
Oh what a joy to be a king, allowed to do just any thing!
To strut about with lots of gold
no adult shouting ” Don’t be bold!”
O what a buzz to be a king,
to ride white horses, wear a ring! A
llowed to do just what you like,
no adult saying “On your bike!”

Solo Oh what a joy to be a king, allowed to do just any thing!
To strut about with lots of gold
no adult shouting ” Don’t be bold!”
O what a buzz to be a king,
to ride white horses, wear a ring!
Allowed to do just what you like,
no adult saying “On your bike!”

Verse 1
Oh what a laugh to be a king,
ev’ryone jumping when you ring,
and since a king’s so highly bred,
no adult cries “Get you to bed!”
O what a lark to be a king,
to sing and dance a Highland Fling.
And you can lie in bed each day
and you can eat what comes your way!

Scene 2. No 3 Dialogue sung between the chorus and the King, leading on to contrasting carol-like song ‘Wise, wise, wise’. All schools sing chorus ‘Wise, wise, wise’ while solos lead in the verses ‘Foolish, foolish ….’ And ‘Faithful, faithful …’

Enter Philip the Fair

King Philip: I am Philip, King of France.
Chorus : He is a bully boy given a chance!
King Philip : I am not satisfied! One kingdom’s not enough!
Chorus: He wants all Europe at his command!

King Philip: Come here Scotus, the man I need!
Gold and my daughter’s hand will bring you to my command!
I’ll be the master of Europe!

Chorus: He thinks he’ll use our Scot, but some things just can’t be bought!
Tyrants and bullies are out of date!

Chorus: More slowly
Wise, wise wise were the Three Wise Kings who brought their gold to the stable bare.
They saw gold as a gift indeed to be used for those they found in any need.

Foolish, foolish Philip like Herod! He thought gold was his to possess;
he couldn’t see that all God gives is to help all people to be friends.

Wise, wise wise were the Three Wise Kings Who brought their gold to the stable bare.
They saw gold as a gift indeed to be used for those they found in any need.

Music continues as the narrator introduces the children to the events in Cologne and the medieval Empire.

Verse 1
Faithful, faithful, Scotus and Frances
They kept true to what they believed.
They chose to serve the King of Kings
and defied the selfish king.

Wise, wise wise were the Three Wise Kings Who brought their gold to the stable bare.
They saw gold as a gift indeed to be used for those they found in any need.
Scene takes place near the Tomb of the Three Wise Men in Cologne Cathedral. Scotus and his brother Franciscans (children dressed as monks) are back from the tomb awaiting the arrival of the new Emperor who is coming to pray at the tomb that he will rule the Holy Roman Empire with justice and wisdom. A page leads in the Emperor Albrecht who is accompanied by the Knights Templar as they sing

3: 1 Entry of the Emperor Albrecht: Cologne Cathedral
Christus vincit Christus regnat Christus, Christus imperat.
Chorus Christus vincit Christus regnat Christus, Christus imperat.

1 (As a round) Christus vincit Christus regnat Christus, Christus imperat.
2. Christus vincit Christus regnat Christus, Christus imperat.

The Christus Vincit was sung at the coronation of the Emperor in Constantinople and was sometimes used in the West as well. After it has been sung by solo, then chorus another solo (monk), sings the introduction to the Emperor’s psalm:

Monk
God, our Father and our guide, you know the longings of our hearts;
listen to our Emperor’s prayer: bless the people with your peace.

The Emperor sings Psalm 68
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord. Turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

Chorus
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord. Turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

This is my prayer to you, my heartfelt prayer to you:
in your love, Lord, answer me, with a help that never fails,
in your kindness answer, in compassion turn to me.

Chorus
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord. Turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

In poverty and pain, your help will lift me up.
I will praise your name in song, glorify and give you thanks.
In your kindness answer, in compassion turn to me.

Chorus
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord. Turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

Scotus nears the Tomb and sings his song with the children joining in at once with the chorus.

Scene 3: No 3: Scotus and chorus

Chorus
Wisdom, wisdom, Gift of God, Wisdom!
Wisdom the treasure hid, pearl of great price!
Wisdom, wisdom gift of God,
Wisdom beacon beckoning and blazing, Wisdom of God!

Verse 1
Haddington taught me love of God in prayer;
Paris taught Love of God, living in the poor;
Now what will the Wise Men teach me in Cologne?

Wisdom, wisdom, Gift of God, Wisdom!
Wisdom the treasure hid, pearl of great price!
Wisdom, wisdom gift of God,
Wisdom beacon beckoning and blazing, Wisdom of God!

Verse 2
Myrrh they offered last of all to the Holy Child.
Myrrh they gave the Saviour, sign of life to come;
Through the cross Jesus won life for ev’ry one.
Wisdom is to thank him for his gifts to me
most of all the gift of wisdom, given me for all.

Wisdom, wisdom, Gift of God, Wisdom!
Wisdom the treasure hid, pearl of great price!
Wisdom, wisdom gift of God,
Wisdom beacon beckoning and blazing, Wisdom of God!

After the song we have some prayers for our country, for Europe, for the sick, for the poor and those who live in hunger or hardship, and then we conclude with the Scotus hymn