Play the pipes

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Well-known member




This is a 2 part story

Part 1, turn up the sound and click the link

Once the sound starts
Start up reading
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umzRoqtWvrA&feature=related
………… …………………………………………………

When I was all of 4 or 5
I heard the pipes and it changed me forever
it was a glorious moment

you could hear them from long ways away

the sound grew and grew
swelling and rolling through the corners
of the little town i knew

past the church bell i pulled
when I was 4 years old

“give it all you’ve got”
said father bob

i pulled so hard

that it pulled me back on the upswing
a couple of feet off of the floor

father bob may have helped me pull
it down
he was a good and kind man


the pipes and brigade
would play
past the shops and the maples

until finally it was rimshots on snares in front of my face
cadence and drums and tartans

a feeling so strong and so much a part of me
I stood still and strong in honor of it all

my mother’s mother squeezed my hand so tight.
There was heritage and honor
there must be good in it I thought


“what song is this Nana?” I asked the old woman
“You stand still Toddy” she said.

she never said much of it beyond that
other than it was a part of me

“in my blood”

i didn’t argue with my grandmother
no one would dare

she was a rock

I am looking for my pipes and my kilt
I just want to wear my tartan again

& have some deaf neighbors

Is that too much to ask?


Must I have a war to fight to fly the colors in my heart?

I will wish and hope and pray
for the great colors to fly

White and blue and red

Blue and white on a gossamer sheen
And all of the good colors In between

With not a drop of blood from a young life shed
 
Last edited:
Well done, Todd. I would prefer you to have just the deaf neighbors.


I grew up as just a young kid knowing that something was wrong. Mom and dad never talked much about those men I saw who came home from WWII. The ones who couldn't put down a bottle and inhaled 3 packs of smokes a day---

I grew up seeing my neighbor's son come home from Korea and as a young boy still didn't understand his plight---

I grew up during the Cold War where many of our neighbors were building underground cement bunkers----I was just beginning to understand---

I grew up during the Cuban Crisis and watched a number of college kids in long lines trying to get deferments---

I grew up during Vietnam and went to the cemetery to honor those high school friends of mine who lost their lives in that jungle---

I grew up during the two wars that we had in Iraq. I watched the young man come home after his second tour. He is the kid I had in my Sunday School class---he is the kid I took duck hunting---he is the same kid whose mom said to me one day, "I am so worried about my son. What do you think I should do?" I told her to kill him with love and kindness. He has some major issues with mental illness now. Next year I am going to take him hunting once again.

Yes, Todd, after thinking about it, I think that having deaf neighbors would be just fine.
Al
 
My wife and my sons were in Scotland a few years ago and we happened to come out of the train station in Glasgow and heard the pipes playing.There was an international bagpipe competetion going on .One band from Hamilton Ontario was coming down one of the streets and was about to enter the town square were some of the teams were putting on a demo.The sound of the pipes and drums echoing against the buildings just put a chill down my spine,a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.Still does when I hear the pipes and think about it,and i"m not Scottish.
 
Love it
I just took up the pipes.
I am 50% dutch but scotch irish on my mothers side

Love the writing and love the pipes
 
Those are good memories of your grandmother. It's good to write them down too.

The bagpipes are my favorite part of a parade.
 
Aye, the drones fill the soul as the pipers pipe their tune so put on ye kilts lads and come along 'cause if it's not Scottish ITS CRAP!!!
 
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