Feb. 8, 2008 - Bagpipes and My Honey
My honey likes bagpipes. Must be the Scots-Irish in him. He has
made me promise to have a bagpiper at his funeral. And yes, he wants
Danny Boy played. Don't ask me where I will find a bagpiper on short
notice, but it seems a bit creepy to do any sort of research on
that. Should I kick it before he does, you all are warned. Honey
wants bagpipes.
I saw that Wheaton College Arts series included a concert by the
Scottish Dragoons and Coldstream Guard regiments. I figured there
MUST be some bagpipes involved in there somewhere and got a couple
tickets for my honey as a Christmas present.
The concert was last night.
First off, I just like Wheaton College. Maybe this is stupid, but I
feel like I am walking on holy ground knowing this is the place that
turned out the likes of Jim and Elizabeth Elliott, Billy and Ruth
Graham and Todd Beamer.
Second, I like the crowd at these concerts. I'm assuming many are
Wheaton alumni and it's gratifying to go someplace where we are
the "young" ones. I'd put the average age of the concert go-er here
at about 60 and I notice shuttle buses from several of the area
retirement homes at the entrance.
Third, I like that these concerts generally start with a prayer. We
were a bit late last night, so I'm not certain that was true, but it
was for the other concert we attended there. I can't think of any
other public performance that wasn't in a church or a homeschool
event that started with public prayer. They even use the word Jesus.
A word about bagpipes. They are really, if I were still using the
term, freaking loud. Since I am trying to elevate my vocabulary, I
will say that they are enormously loud. Shockingly loud.
Stupendously loud. And that is one bagpipe. This concert had 8 on
stage at a time.
Eight freaking loud, enormously, shockingly, stupendously loud
bagpipes are not, however, louder than the singing voices of the
audience at Wheaton College. And when the National Anthem is played
at Wheaton College, people sing. Not because they are told to or
encouraged to or anything else. These people sing because they love
their country. I, of course, cannot sing because anytime I hear the
National Anthem, I choke up. Particularly so when I am in a crowd of
old folks who love their country and can drown out 8 bagpipes and a
full regiment band. Plus, being--I'm assuming--a generally church
going crowd with years of weekly singing under their belts--they sing
beautifully and in harmony.
We listen to many Scottish/British tunes. I am astounded anew at my
ignorance. Should I reach the age of 40 without knowing God Save the
Queen is My Country Tis of Thee? This adds a whole new rebellious
overtone to My Country; one, I have to admit, I like.
The Dragoons and Coldstream Guard play a set that is a Tribute to
America. During this set, they played the theme song of each of our
different branches of service (including the Merchant Marine, which I
assumed was defunct but maybe is not?). I found this surprisingly
moving, but made all the more so from our vantage point in the
cheapseats of the balcony. As each new piece started--one flowed
right into the next--the audience applauded. Loud and long.
Patriotically. They must not have gotten the memo that that is no
longer in vogue. Of course, that alone starts my tears again. And
from our vantage point, we saw old, old men, all over the audience,
popping up when their branch's theme was played, sitting when it was
over. At this, I was openly weeping, I just couldn't help it. Mr.
Wonderful later admitted it made him cry too.
The evening closed with a lone bagpiper playing Amazing Grace and
leading in to a couple other hymns.
Wonderful night, moreso than I had anticipated.
Blessings, Holly
