Ask Phoebe: 'Flower of Scotland' song of choice

The opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup 2011 at Eden Park. Photo / Richard Robinson

A crowd of us are going to the England-Scotland match at Eden Park on Saturday, which should be a ripper. Quite a few of us have Scottish forebears, and we're not sure what anthem we should be singing to support "our" team. Can you help please? Brad, Mt Albert.

It seems that the song of choice is Flower of Scotland, (Flur na h-Alba, in Scottish Gaelic), which contains somewhat anti-English sentiments. It was written by Roy Williamson of folk group the Corries in 1967, and refers to the victory of the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, over Edward II's English army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

To help you join in with the Scottish supporters, here is the first verse:

O flower of Scotland,

When will we see your like again,

That fought and died for,

Your wee bit hill and glen,

And stood against him,

Proud Edward's army,

And sent him homeward,

Tae think again.

The last two lines are sung very loudly. Another choice of anthem is Scotland the Brave, but we all know the words to that.

Could you please advise if all bus travel to Eden Park is free? I was told by MAXX that only special event buses are free. However, the RWC website says: Travel is free on buses and trains for three hours before kick-off (or four hours before the opening ceremony) and three hours after a match with a RWC 2011 match ticket. This is what it says about North Harbour public transport: Travel is free on special event buses starting from three hours before kick-off and for one hour after a match (or until the crowd has cleared) with a RWC 2011 match ticket. David Gordon, Auckland.

I have had a close look at both the Eden Park and the RWC website, and it seems clear to me. But as a clarification, thanks to Auckland Transport: special event buses are free with a match ticket for three hours before a game until one hour after, or until crowds are cleared. Ferries and other buses are not free because they do not provide a direct link to the venue. Trains are free with a match ticket three hours before the game until the end of service.

The opening ceremony at Eden Park was marvellous, particularly the lighting and the graphics. Did the graphics come by way of the white ground cover or just by overhead lighting? If so how? Peter Lipsham, Oratia.

Eden Park's general manager of sales and marketing, Tracy Morgan, says the graphics were projected on to the ground cover. Significant additional lighting was installed for the opening ceremony so a combination of lighting and projection could create the effects, thanks to the skill of a talented crew from David Atkins Enterprises.