"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sun ward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, – Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
Napoléon Bonaparte was a French statesman and military leader who
rose to prominence during the French Revolution As a general and led
several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars. He
became Emperor of France and he subsequently created a state with
stable finances, a strong bureaucracy, and a well-trained army.
A.
Personally when it comes to bagpipe music for a funeral, I think the cemetery is the optimum time for the bagpipe.
As the procession arrives I play until the hearse comes to a stop.
I then stand at attention as the pallbearers gather.
As the casket is gently taken from the hearse to graveside I walk with everyone and play a suitable piece of music.
Then at the completion of the service, but before any announcements by the funeral director- I play the final tune.
I play this once through and stop, once the instructions are done I walk off into the distance playing music.
The sound of the pipe follows me as I journey.
It is hard to believe that 56 years ago President Kennedy was enjoying the sound of Scotland's Black Watch Pipe and Drum Band on the White House lawn.
Days later, the nation was in mourning for our young President. Lets visit November 13, 1963 for a while.
The Black Watch Scottish Regiment originated in 1745, they were the first highland regiment to wear the kilt as normal military attire. The Regiment has, their own pipe and drum band. The band tours the world to spread the sound of Scotland to smiling crowds everywhere they go.
On November 13, 1963 the JFK white house hosted a charity performance featuring the Pipes and Drums of the black watch.
Prior to the performance Black Watch soldier Dennis Byrne tells of the trouble they got into when the bandsmen came across a huge trampoline in the White House gardens. He said, “We were jumping up and down on this trampoline in full Highland dress – you can imagine the carry-on at that age’. Secret Service agent Clint Hill was the one who told them off. Mr Hill was the agent with the President in the limousine in Dallas during the assassination.
At 4 p.m., the Black Watch filed out onto the South Lawn. They stood at attention in their tartan kilts, The pipes and drums then commenced to play “The Barren Rocks of Aden” as the band marched about the lawn. Their time on display flew by as one piper remembers.
At the conclusion of the performance, the Black Watch band was invited inside the White House for refreshments. The band had sodas, whiskies and conversation with Mrs. Kennedy and other high level Kennedy administration members. The President was busy with the affairs of state during this time.
According to Bruce Cowie, ‘We were leaving the White House and JFK had the bus stopped at the gate, he came on board with Secretary of State Dean Rusk to thank us personally. It was a real personal touch. Piper Bruce Cowie said JFK shook every piper’s hand and thanked them for their work
Here is the small part I played in the send off of a bartender and local celebrity, *Jeff Knapp.
October 1, 1992
Ruth Goetz stood in noonday sun along the 500 block of S. Wolfe St. yesterday to watch an eight-piece brass band, a couple hundred mourners and a lone bagpiper march south to the harbor.
"I've seen it in New Orleans," she said, "but in my 70 years I never seen it on Wolfe Street."
Never in Baltimore, as best anyone can remember, until the funeral of H. Jefferson Knapp III, local character nonpareil.
"Jeff wanted a Viking funeral where they put your body on a boat and light the funeral pyre at sea, but all he had was a rubber dinghy," said Larry Benicewicz, a friend who flew the brass band into town from the Crescent City. "We gave him a New Orleans send-off, instead."
Jeff Knapp was a generous barkeep, an incorrigible prankster, and a slavish scene-maker known as the Abe Lincoln of Fells Point for reasons carved into his face.
He died Saturday at age 63, setting off rounds of waterfront fetes in his honor that lasted until the bars closed this morning.
Yesterday they eulogized him, cried and danced for him, and cremated him.
"Jeff was always the spirit behind an impossible lifestyle," said Megan Hamilton, who carried a basket of flowers to give to mourners and spectators lining the street. "He couldn't [party] without style, and if he couldn't do it his way he'd just stop. He must have been ready to go."
Some thought it beyond coincidence that Mr. Knapp passed away a week before the Fells Point Fun Festival, where for the first time public drinking would not be allowed.
In front of the funeral parade as it left the Lilly and Zeiler funeral home on Eastern Avenue was a man carrying a floral arrangement of carnations shaped like the letters V.T.N.F., which stood for Mr.
Knapp's beverage battle cry: "Vodka Tonic No Fruit!"
Behind it marched his brother, Phil Knapp, carrying a large color photograph of the deceased taped to a stick. On either side were Jeff Knapp's four children and his grandchildren. Next came the tuba, drums, trumpet and trombone of the Treme Brass Band playing Old Rugged Cross, followed by a gang of mourners whose ranks swelled as Thames Street neared.
Bringing up the rear was Wayne Francis, piper for hire, who played "Amazing Grace" before Mr. Knapp's open coffin and blew a spirit of Eire that snaked through the narrow streets and alleys of Southeast Baltimore.
The procession turned onto Thames Street from Wolfe, paused before the Cat's Eye Pub where Mr. Knapp is best remembered by tugboat men and Ph.Ds as the blasphemous wit who gave away drinks like water. It then rolled along to "When The Saints Go Marching In" toward the new promenade where his name and motto are chiseled in a brick his son Gary painted gold the night of his father's death.
There, a man who was once a minister stood on a platform, held a Bible and gave the final blessing.
"Jeff's stories will be told and retold for years to come," said P.J. Trautwein. "The way he used to take wedding pictures and have them developed in time to give to the bride at the reception; the first time he dressed up as Lincoln to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Wino in the Fells Point square to the dismay of then Mayor Schaefer; when he staged the Skylab crash on Thames Street."
And now, Mr. Trautwein said, Herbert Jefferson Knapp III has been reunited with his late Cat's Eye commandos Kenny Orye and Ralph Miller who succumbed to the party a few years before him.
*Jeff Knapp worked at the Cat’s Eye Pub for most of his life and all of his death. Since he passed eight years ago, countless employees and customers have had experiences with Jeff, including the owner of Baltimore Ghost Tours, Melissa Rowell. When she moved to the Fells Point neighborhood in Baltimore, she stopped by to pick up a Cat’s Eye T-shirt for her father. She didn’t know Jeff was a ghost. She claims he made her change and was “as solid as you or me” – and as dead as a doornail.
Poppy's growing wild among the remnants of World War One fortifications.
This war was called "The Great War" and “The War to end all Wars” in retrospect.
New technologies delivered death on an unheard of scale just years before.
The airplane, machine gun, tanks and poisonus gas made killing easier and faster.
The accuracy of exsisting weapons such as the rifle and cannon were sharpened as well.
Armies faced off against each other from protective trenches dug in the ground, the land in between was called “no mans land” for good reason.
Constant shelling and bombardment made recovering the dead impossible.
Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. They flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. The flower provided Canadian doctor John McCrae with inspiration for his poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres in 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks still bravely singing fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved: and now we lie In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch: be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields
A paper poppy was eventually adopted by the British and Canadian Legions as the symbol of remembrance of World War One and a means of raising funds for disabled veterans.
An American war volunteer, Moina Michael, helped establish the symbol in the US where the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion also embraced the Red Paper Poppy tradition. The America Leigon celebrates National Poppy Day on May 25th. It is strongly linked with Armistice Day in the UK (11 November)
A red paper poppy, that is sold on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in remembrance
Long ago I was contacted by a family to play at a graveside service.
Information such as time, place and fee were agreed to and all was set.
Right before our conversation ended, I was warned about the deceased man’s son,
he was “a strange sort of fellow”.
I was cautioned that he might contact me and
request “Yankee Doodle” or something.
Well, the day came and I arrived early as I always do. I set up the
pipe and warmed it up so as to be ready.
I became aware of a man walking
towards me, no doubt this was the son I was warned about.
We exchanged pleasantries and he said that at one time he was a drunk, a
thoroughly unreliable sort that the family had shunned and with good reason.
It seems he went to 12 step program and became sober and in his father’s
last year he was the primary care giver.
This gentleman went on to say that no
one could understand the bond that his father and he had. That roles were
reversed and now he helped the father out the way a parent would help their
child.
He ended and smiled at me extending his hand to which I met with a
firm handshake.
This fellow requested that I play my best for his
father, then he walked away into the cemetery.
I looked at my hand, and there in my palm was cash.
He returned when the hearse and procession arrived, and held his head down
throughout the ceremony.
I realized that from this event, that all of us grieve the loss of a loved
one in our unique way. There are similarities I am sure, but who knows the
heart of another after all.
Reprinted through the courtesy of Dan Sheppard, Pipe Major
If
by chance you know of someone who love the bagpipe and wants to
purchase a set, save them money and frustration by forwarding this
article to them.
Several years back, I got a call from a
young relative of mine, a teenager at the time, who had found a
“bargain” set of pretty bagpipes on eBay. He and his Dad hurriedly
bought them before the end of the auction. After they arrived he called
me all excited and enthused about learning to play. My worst fears were
realized when I discovered, as I had suspected, that he did not find a
bargain set of bagpipes at all, he got exactly what he paid for…CRAP.
Rule #1: Never,
ever, I repeat, never, ever buy a set of pipes on a whim. You would be
surprised how many people start off by basically telling themselves,
“Wow, I want to learn the pipes so I’d better buy a set and start
learning”. I cannot express strongly enough what a mistake this is. A
purchase at this early stage will almost inevitably end with a bad or
shoddy investment and few are able to then recoup their loss.
Rule #2: Do
not buy your pipes on eBay or the like unless you REALLY know what
you’re doing. Probably if you’re new to piping and reading this, you
don’t. Unlike most other instruments, you don’t learn the pipes on the
pipes themselves anyway. Beginners learn the pipes on what is called a
practice chanter. Forget buying pipes until you are competent on the
practice chanter.
Rule #3: The practice chanter is relatively inexpensive and will be a valuable
tool to you, not only as a beginner, but throughout your piping career.
For my students and band members, I recommend one style chanter and
reeds. This maintains uniformity for the group and subsequently tuning
is quicker, leaving more time for actual practicing. If you plan to join
a pipe band in your area, I would suggest you buy a chanter based on
the recommendation of their Pipe Major.
Rule #4:
Honestly evaluate your ability and desire to practice. Don’t even waste
your money on a practice chanter if you can’t commit time to practice.
This just isn’t the type instrument you can play once a week and really
get anywhere. If you’re already stretched thin, this might not be the
right time in your life to make this commitment. If you get bored or
frustrated easily…proceed cautiously. The bagpipes have been said to be
one of the hardest instruments to learn. By starting off learning with a
practice chanter, you’ll get a feel for the time and effort that is
needed and if you find you don’t like it or the timing in your life is
wrong, your investment has been minimal.
Rule #5:
Take lessons if you can. This is the best way to make progress. Your
instructor will also be able to tell you when the time is right for you
to move up to the actual pipes. Don’t be discouraged if it takes awhile.
Going from the practice chanter to the pipes may take anywhere from 3
months to a year. Hopefully, by working through an instructor, you’ll
have an opportunity to try out a variety of pipes before you buy.
Rule #6:
Network. On average, 1 out of 10 pipe students stick with it, but, the
ones who do love it and are usually happy to give good, sound advice,
share tunes, etc. These pipers can be an invaluable resource to you.
Many pipers can be found online. It’s best if they are in your area and
you can actually visit with them. Everyone has their own opinions about
pipes, music, just about anything, so talk to as many pipers as you can.
Rule #7: Buy
Quality. There are many brands of pipes out there and some are better
than others. Buy the best you can afford. Educate yourself on brands
then weigh the cost against what you can spend, and choose the best set
of pipes for you. If you decide to buy a used set of used pipes, always
find out the manufacturer. If the seller does not know…don’t buy ‘em. If
they describe the “wood” as being, anything but African Black Wood then
look elsewhere. There are some pipes made of “Polypenco”, (instrument
grade plastic), which is used for woodwind instruments today. These are a
good idea for a beginner that may reach that point of buying a set of
pipes but isn’t that dedicated. In most all cases they are less
expensive than the African Blackwood sets. For a good set of bagpipes,
even those that are used, expect to spend at least $500-$1,000.
My
experiences and every encounter I have had with other pipers on this
subject have led me to believe that you should never ever, I repeat,
never ever buy a set of bagpipes made in Pakistan unless you just want
something to hang on a wall. Pipes made in Pakistan are vastly
substandard in quality compared to reputable pipes manufactured in
Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada and the US. Many pipes from Pakistan
aren’t even playable as was the case with my teenage relative.
When
I opened the box and saw the Pakistan pipes he so proudly bought
through eBay, the leather bag was rock-hard, completely non-pliable and
the wood had no weight or density whatsoever. I set them up, seasoned
the bag and tuned them as best I could. They made a noise, but that’s
about as kind a description as I can make. My gut reaction was to tell
him he needed to start a fire and put those pipes out of their misery.
Bottom line: he tried a few times to make music from the Pakistan pipes
and simply gave up. He had lost his money, but what is more important is
that he had lost his enthusiasm to learn the bagpipes without even
giving himself a proper chance at success.
“Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” was Rod Stewarts major hit in 1978,
everywhere I went I heard the song.
I was in the Baltimore City Pipe
Band at the time, learning their band tunes and having fun.
Rod Stewart
is Scottish and very proud of his heritage. Mr Stewart was scheduled to
perform in Baltimore and arrangements were made by his people to have
the band open the show! In exchange we were given free admission to the
concert. Talk about a win-win, and so when the date came around into the
Civic Center we marched.
The band performed outstanding, marching up and down. We performed in
a circle and then two pipers stole the show, they had worked out the
settings of “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” on the bagpipe! I remember hearing
alot of clapping as those gathered, recognized that song.
We left the field and found our way to our seats, as we were sitting
down a piper by the name of John, said “before this nights over I am
going to be on that stage”! I thought it was the “beer” talking as we
settled down for an outstanding show.
Rod Stewart came out and sung hit after hit, and I knew every one of
them. I was surprised how many songs, one after another I knew.
His
performance was fun, no standing in one place, he was all over the
stage. At one time someone in the side wing would feed him soccer balls
and he would lightly kick them to all points in the crowd.
I sensed the end of the show was coming up so I availed myself to the facilities to beat the rush at the end.
I returned to my seat, and there up on the stage is the entire band!
Pipers and Drummers dancing their hearts out as Rod continued to sing
amongst all of them.
What a night, the band members still tell the new
pipers and drummers about the time they opened for Rod Stewart to this
day.
Actual photograph taken as Piper Bill Millen leaves landing craft, onto Sword Beach
The role of bagpipes on the front lines of war came to an end after
the First World War. The high death toll inflicted on pipers relegated
them to duty behind the front line in the camps. However, there are
always people who defy the rules, this is the story of one of them.
The most famous bagpiper of WWII is Bill Millin. He was born in
Regina, Saskatchewan in July of 1922. He grew up in Scotland, His family
moved there when he was three. Millin joined the Territorial Army and
played in the pipe bands of the Highland Light Infantry and the Queen’s
Own Cameron Highlanders before volunteering for service in WWII.
Bill Millin was a member of No. 4 Commando, part of the 1st Special
Services Brigade. His commanding officer was the 15th Lord Lovat, Simon
Fraser, who appointed Millin as his “personal piper.”
No. 4 Commando took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy on Sword
Beach. They landed about 30 minutes behind the initial assault under
heavy fire. Lord Lovat asked Millin to play the troops ashore, against
regulations. After some hesitation he agreed.
Millin was one of the first people off the landing craft. His only
weapon was his sgian dubh. He wore his commando jacket and green beret
along with the kilt that his father had worn in Flanders in the First
World War. The soldier next to him was killed almost as soon as the ramp
came down.
Bill Millin waded through water 3 feet deep to shore and then
proceeded to march back and forth across the beach, 3 times, while under
heavy machine-gun fire, as the rest of the unit came ashore. He played
the tunes “Highland Laddie,” The Road to the Isles,” and “Blue Bonnets
over the Border.” A captured German gunner later said they didn’t shoot
him because they thought he had gone mad.
After the landing, No. 4 Commando moved inland to help secure Pegasus
Bridge which was held by members of the 6th Airborne Division. Millin
played “The Nut Brown Maiden” as They crossed the bridge.
On August 7, 2013 a statue of him, playing the bagpipes, was uncovered and dedicated at a memorial on Sword Beach.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Aside from the periodic hum of a
hovering MV-22 Osprey in the distance or the muted chatter of soldiers,
sailors and Marines milling about in front of the stage, all else was
silent.
Then Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern started to play
Lance Cpl. Rory MacEachern opened of Toby Keith on a USO tour. He
captured everyones attention, maybe it was the sound of the bagpipe in
such a far away location.
For the time being though, he is quite happy playing to his brothers
and sisters in arms. In addition to the occasional evening performance
here, MacEachern has treated the hundreds of newly-minted Marines and
their families to an impromptu performance in front of the Iwo Jima
Memorial upon graduating from recruit training aboard Marine Corps
Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. He also played as part of the
graduation ceremonies upon completing military occupational specialty
school aboard Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
According to MacEachern, it’s his personal way to keep spirits up.
“A
lot of people are pretty surprised to hear bagpipes playing out here,”
he said. “I get mixed emotions – people love it or hate it – but, for
the most part Marines seem to really like it. I think it helps bring
morale up and that’s always a good thing out here.”
There is great flexibility depending on the desires of the family.
The following provides some suggestions based on the location.
At a Church or Memorial Hall
Before the Service
The bagpipe can be used very
effectively
as mourners arrive to create an air of solemnity and
reflection,
Additionally, I can meet a hearse, if appropriate and start the
processional of the service and lead the pall-bearers and casket to the front door.
At the end of the Service
If a casket is present, I can again lead the pall-bearers and casket back out
to to the waiting hearse, and continue playing as
the casket is being loaded. If there is no casket, or if the family
desires this instead, the piper can play near the door as the mourners
leave.
Playing At the Cemetery
Before the Service Begins
As the hearse arrives I start playing
so that as the family arrives they hear my bagpipe. I then stand at
attention, until clergy arrives. I speak with clergy and your attendant
about where and when I will play. As the pall-bearers take the casket
from the
hearse. I lead the procession to the grave site, playing a tune.
At the completion of the Service
When the clergy has concluded the
service, I play “Amazing
Grace” through once and slowly walk away into the distance. The music
will follow me and this is the appropriate time for final family
announcements by a funeral attendant.
This is what I, as the bagpiper walked into, at every bar and every restaurant.
Decades ago I would play in pipe bands during the yearly Baltimore’s St. Patricks Day Parade. Then rasing a family and work limited my activity in those wonderful bands. To keep my skills fresh and continue to perform for others I started to play the pipe in bars and restaurants.
Prior to the day I would arrange with the owners of said establishments to perform a “walk through”. This consisted of myself showing up in full kilt, unexpectedly for the patrons and “walk through” the establishment.
Quite often after playing the bagpipe while practicing in a park or after a performance, I am asked if I have Scottish or Irish ancestry. My response is that yes, there is some in my family history, but I do not think that matters much. To everyone’s surprise I relate that one of the finest pipers in Baltimore can trace his ancestry to Poland.
The bagpipe as we know it, is named The Great Highland Bagpipe. It comes from Scotland and is played and enjoyed the world over. This occurred because of the expanse of the British Empire. Follow along with me and I will explain.
Have you ever noticed a bagpipers knife?
It is the wee knife
displayed in the top of their kilt hose.
The name comes from the
Scottish Gaelic sgian-dubh. Pronounced skee-ən-DOO
The primary meaning of the term is Black Knife, refers not to the
color but the hidden aspect of the knife. It would be carried under
ones’ armpit or out of sight until needed. Scotland was a rough and
tumble place in ancient history.
Courtesy and etiquette would demand that when entering the home of a
friend, any concealed weapons would be revealed. Thus it follows that
the knife would be removed from its hiding place and displayed in the
stocking top held securely by the flashes.
The 1995 film Rob Roy staring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, has
Ms. Lange playing Rob Roy’s wife. In order to keep from being
blackmailed, Mrs. Roy cuts a rivals throat.
Quickly, silently as this knife was intended to be used, not very lady like but the end was achieved.
When piper Bill Millin crashed ashore at Sword Beach on D-Day 1944, he was armed only with his pipes and the sgian-dubh, or “black knife”, sheathed inside his kilt-hose on the right side.
