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Bagpipe Tradition
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(The
story behind why they play bagpipes at Fire and police Department
Funerals)
from the City of
Montgomery, Alabama
The
tradition
of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in
the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the
Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of
their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe, often played
at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).
It
wasn't until
the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast
of the United States that the tradition of the bagpipes really took
hold in the fire department. In the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced
massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs reading "NINA" -
No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one
else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters
and police officers. It was not an uncommon event to have several
firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish firefighters' funerals
were typical of all Irish funerals - the pipes were played. It was
somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of bagpipes
when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.
Those
who have
attended a funeral where bagpipes were played know how haunting and
mournful the sound of the pipes can be. The most famous song played at
fire and police funerals is Amazing Grace. It wasn't too long before
families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began asking for the
bagpipes to be played for fallen heroes. The bagpipes add a special air
and dignity to this solemn occasion.
Bagpipe
bands
represent both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed
playing members. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies
after Ireland - the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear traditional Scottish
dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. All members wear the
kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single
color kilt.
Today,
the
tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The
bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's
funeral.
Last
Edited on 12/18/07
by Douglas J. Ochsner, Webmaster
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