The Bagpipes

[Theres]

"...the pipes, the pipes are calling..."

you either love them or hate them.
but the history of the bagpipes is a very diverse one. some form of bagpipes have been used by the military since ancient times. the Egyptians had them, and the Romans used them extensively as a Legionary tool. there is even a history of them in ancient India. the French too, although there version was called the 'musette'.
but it is definitely the Scottish 'Great Pipes' that come to most peoples minds. and it seems like such a Scottish thing to do.
i mean i can just visualize a bored shepherd wandering through the highlands and finding a dead sheep...
"i think i'll stick a tube into this things bladderrr, then gee it a wee blow and see what happens."
well, maybe not.
here's a more accurate history...

http://www.fife.50megs.com/bagpipe-history.htm

[Danustouch]

Heh..a LITTLE off topic, but still understandably fitting...

When I used to live in CT, and had an apartment right off of the main street of my town, there were a LOT of churches in the Surrounding area. That section of town, was pretty much a Catholic area. It had about six differen't catholic churches. Anyway... One early sunday morning, I was laying in bed, dreaming, that I had died. And in my dream, I heard bagpipes. I woke slowly..and felt the sun shining through my windows, heard the birds chirping, felt the breeze kissing my face, and STILL heard the bagpipes. It was one of those times that you wake up from your dream, but don't really know if it was a dream, or not. I could have SWORN I had died, and gone to Heaven. LOL. There was a wedding taking place right down the road, and they had a piper..and the breeze had carried his tune over the rooftops, and into my window, and into my dreams :) God..I love bagpipes! I hope when I die, someone DOES play them for me. lol.

[Theres]

that sounds beautiful!
i love them too, although i didn't as a child. but i found out that my Great Grandfather was a drummer with the Black Watch, and started getting into them.
and your wedding pipes story reminds me of that scene from "So I Married An Ax Murderer" where they're playing Rod Stewart's "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" on the pipes. very funny!

btw, thanks for replying. i was beginning to think that the only thing that sinks faster than an innocent witch is one of my topics! (lol).

[Danustouch]

LOL..not true at all! lol. As for the pyramid one..i'm just not as interested in egyptology, nor as educated about it as some others, so I try not to comment as much..lol. But..get me on Celtic Stuff..and I'm RIGHT there, buddy!

[Azure]

I spent many years going to Highland Games and competing and performing as a dancer. Did rather well actually. Now, even though I don[t do it much any more, my feet start to move unconsciously every time I hear pipe music.

[Danustouch]

Again, kind of related..but not entirely...

If you guys have seen the movie Rob Roy..(not to discuss it from a historical standpoint)...you'll know what I mean.

That scene where they are dancing around the fire, and then settle down to that haunting song....that scene absolutely sent shivers up and down my spine. I went out and ordered the soundtrack like..a week later!