Edinburgh Military Tattoo

[mite5255]

There is absolutely nothing more stirring the the combine pipes and drums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgwRitT ... Qj_TAEQJbT

[Rocco]

I can appreciate the symbolism and tradition but bagpipes just don't do it for me. I think my aversion to bagpipes goes back to my childhood, one of the kids in my neighbourhood was learning to play the bagpipes, hearing him practice was just awful! Even though the pipes in that video don't sound remotely like that kid, my mind still makes the connection and I involuntarily shutter.

[F.C.]

A most fond memory of mine... several years back I was working as an oiler on a 150 ft. boat used as a main camp for a bathemetric survey crew scanning ocean coastlines at various parts of Alaska (mapping the ocean floor, in other words). The crew would tie off to the mother ship, have their supper, showers, etc., then hit the rack for a night's sleep. That's when my shift would start... I'd do my work and dual function as a night watchman. One night the lagoon we were moored in was glass smooth, not a breeze astir. You could literally hear your own heartbeat it was soooo quiet. I was topside have'n a smoke, stare'n up at the stars and listening to a couple whales communicating off in the distance, and sporatically there were subtle displays of Northern Lights of green and blue hues during the course of the whales chatting. It was at that point I began to really appreciate life, where I lived, the challenges I've had and endured over my life... in a sense, I began to relax into a mental state i've not had the pleasure to enjoy since. It was very spiritual. And it was at that very moment of self awareness I heard the subtle hummmm of a bagpipe beginning to swell, some delicate notes softly being made, then a brief moment of silence....... the next sound I heard was the most BEAUTIFUL rendition of "AMAZING GRACE" I have ever heard in my life. It started soft and respectful, grew to a plea of forgiveness as if the musician was repenting of his sins. By mid song it was as though you could hear the angles singing in the background as the music seemed to shout JOY and soulful thankfulness, and it was as if GOD himself was physically there with his hand on us all. Those northern lights went from subtle hues to vivid greens, blues, and reds from horizon to horizon literally lighting up the lagoon landscape. And at the peak of that majestic display of solar light show the piper began so soften his tone to one of humble thanks and soulful sincerity of the gift GOD has given him. As his song slowly came to an end, so did the northern lights. With the final echo's of his last few notes resounding off the lagoon's landscape you could see just subtle whisps of lights in the night sky, and once again could hear the whales continuing their chat. At that moment I realized I had been stifling tears and could no longer endure. I literally wept with a huge smile on my face. That was the most beautiful and wonderful thing I have ever been witness to in my entire life. The lad had no idea I was on deck. This was between him and GOD. I thanked him the following day, however, and asked if I could hear it again before the job came to an end. He obliged happily. Said, ..."I've never had anyone request hearing a bagpipe play". His last concert I heard atop deck in that lagoon was a combination of tunes, beginning first with Amazing Grace, then half way through he eased in and incorporatted a coupel Scottish battle tunes in the middle, and just as subtly led back into the last half of Amazing Grace to finish off his set. It gave me goosebumps throughout his entire performance. AMAZING young man that was!!! I never in my life dreamed a bagpipe could be so SOULFUL and BEAUTIFUL to the mind and heart. Perhaps it's me Scottish lineage at work in me genes, ya think?

[mite5255]

@ Rocco, yea mate sometimes childhood experiences can have a lifetime effect

That Frank would have been absolutely awesome to witness

Mike

[latzanimal]

Mike, while that was cool, I lean more towards something like this...

http://youtu.be/HW3QVLlK-kE

[mite5255]

Mike, while that was cool, I lean more towards something like this...

http://youtu.be/HW3QVLlK-kE

That was cool

[F.C.]

WAAAY cool indeed.....