A song written by an East Kilbride pensioner more than 40 years ago has inspired a new illustrated book which is raising much-needed cash for children's charity CHAS.
Harry Hagan, now 83, from Stewartfield, wrote a well-known Glasgow song called, Sam the Skull.
The story of Sam is centred around a cat who roams around Shettleston terrorising those he comes across.
The song was picked up a few years later and recorded by Alastair McDonlad for his album, Scottish Lauglines.
But it has also been covered by the likes of the Scottish band Gaberlunzie and by the Folk group, The Wherries.
However, years after Harry, who was painter and decorator to trade but also played and wrote music, penned the song it has been brought back to life by Arran-based artist Jill Hargan.
She approached Harry, who grew up in Glasgow's East End, and his family about illustrating and publishing a short picture book featuring the words of Sam the Skull.
Now on sale in Waterstones in East Kilbride and Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, the colourful book has already raised £1000 for CHAS - a charity chosen by Harry.
He told Lanarkshire Live: "Having lived in the East End of Glasgow for many years in Sam’s home patch of Shettleston, I now reside in East Kilbride.
"I’m very pleased that after all these years, Sam’s story continues in a fantastic book beautifully illustrated by Jill Hargan with all profits from the book going to CHAS."
Harry's daughter, Caroline, is equally delighted that the song loved by so many has been given a new lease of life.
"I worked in schools for many years and it was amazing how many children of all ages knew the words to the song as well as adults, " she said.
"Dad has always been very artistic and played the guitar and keyboard and wrote songs in his spare time - he's always been musical.
"The song has been recorded a few times, picked up by Scottish Folk bands but it was Jill, who is an incredibly talented artist that contacted us.
"She asked dad to pick a charity and it was always going to be a children's charity. Jill had to jump through hoops to get the book published and she had worked incredibly hard to get it printed.
"It's just great that after all this time dad's song will be introduced to a whole new generation of people and that the book is on sale in our home town of East Kilbride."
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