South side Irish

No St. Patrick's Day would be complete without the inclusion of a snippet of bagpipes from Chicago's South side. What makes even more complete is that they are playing Amazing Grace.
I work with a doctor who plays the bagpipes. It's not everyday that you meet someone who chooses to play this instrument. It's not easy. It takes a lot of practice; preferably outdoors. Bagpipes are loud. Loud really doesn't describe the sound emitted. Keep in mind they can be heard across the Highlands ... a battle cry.
Last year on St. Patrick's Day, as a treat to all of us at the mall where we're employed, he played Amazing Grace. I have to tell you it was awe inspiring. The song itself always brings me to tears. Hearing it on the bagpipes evokes grander emotion. People were stopping to take video with their camera phones. He repeated the act on New Year's Day and played Auld Lang Syne. Both times it could be heard throughout the mall. With defiance (and applause), he continued to play even though mall management requested he stop. In your face mall guy! His audience was pleased.
Doc Grant is no stranger to being in trouble for playing his bagpipes. He has to play outdoors or cause his family to go deaf. So, he practices outside and, on more than one occasion, has had the police beckon his doorstep to notify him he's disturbing the peace. So be it! Let the man play. He's not practicing in the wee hours of the morn.
So, although I don't have video of Dr. Grant and the group is part of, I do have this from youtube.

Comments

  1. I grew up in Crete (friend of Lydia's) is this the parade in Beverly? That St. Patty's Day parade is kick ass!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know, I have no idea where the parade was. I chose that video because, a) it said South Side in the description, b) the song was clearly audible and complete.

    And welcome to my blog. Thanks for reading. LOVE Lydia's blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I had no idea how hard it was to hire a bagpiper until I was put in charge of finding one for my father-in-law's birthday party two months ago. They are a rare breed, and are compensated as such!

    ReplyDelete

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