How "The Golden Strand" got its name.

"Rotary is the golden strand in the cable of international friendship"

Robert Burns was Harris' favorite poet. He is probably best remembered throughout the world for the song

 Auld Lang Syne. This particular song was performed in 1928 for Paul Harris at The Rotary Club of Glasgow(#60)  led by the famous comedian/ singer and Glasgow Rotarian Sir Harry Lauder.  (right)
 

Lauder, a personal friend of the founder, coined the phrase "Rotary is the golden strand in the cable of international friendship" which is the basis for the title of Oren Arnold's analysis of Club #1.

 

Paul was clearly moved in this musical tribute and remarked to the President of Glasgow Rotary Club that it  would be a lovely gesture for the Club to sing "Should Auld Aquaintance be forgot..."¹ to all visiting Rotarians. The President replied with a frosty disdain "We dinna sing songs like that for everyone".!!

 

Calum Thomson

 

¹Possibly Paul's request got more attention than he realized. Rotary International's annual convention traditionally closes with the singing of "Should Auld Aquaintance be Forgot..."