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Bagpipers, once only seen at military, state or family funerals with British connections, are now becoming more a commonplace feature of everyday Australian funerals.
A bagpiper is one of the most fitting ways to provide an emotional and meaningful send-off for a departed loved one. The choice of music can be as important as your choice of funeral home, cemetery or casket.
Highly experienced and sensitive to what may be a very sad occasion, David always listens to and honors your specific requirements.
If you’ve ever heard bagpipes played at a funeral, you know just how stirring the sound can be. Some prefer bagpipe funeral songs because the instrument itself is a symbol of remembrance and mourning. However, others who are of Irish or Scottish heritage may opt for bagpipe funeral songs as a way to tie themselves to their heritage.
Piping songs for funerals
Going Home
For religious services, “Going Home” is one of the most popular funeral songs. The Christian ideal of returning to God in heaven at the time of death is a theme in this adapted classic from Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9.
It can be comforting to believe that, though they are gone from earth, deceased loved ones are waiting to be reunited with us in heaven. Now that the deceased person’s work on earth is complete, they can finally rest. “Going Home” is a reminder that everyone will eventually pass away, but this is a natural end to a life well lived.
Going home, going home, I’m just going home. Quiet-like, slip away- I’ll be going home. It’s not far, just close by; Jesus is the Door; Work all done, laid aside, Fear and grief no more. Friends are there, waiting now. He is waiting, too. See His smile! See His hand! He will lead me through. Morning Star lights the way; Restless dream all done; Shadows gone, break of day, Life has just begun. Every tear wiped away, Pain and sickness gone; Wide awake there with Him! Peace goes on and on! Going home, going home, I’ll be going home. See the Light! See the Sun! I’m just going home.Flowers of the Forest
“Flowers of the Forest” is a Scottish folk song that dates back to about the year 1615. This tune was written to memorialize the defeat of the Scottish army at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The melody is ancient; however, there are several versions of the lyrics, all more recent than the original composition.
It’s a somber song that is generally reserved for solemn occasions, like a funeral. In fact, many pipers will only play Flowers of the Forest during funerals or when practicing for playing for funerals.
I’ve heard the lilting, at the yowe-milking, Lassies a-lilting before dawn o’ day; But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning; “The Flowers of the Forest are a’ wede away”.Skye Boat Song
Another Scottish funeral standard is the “Skye Boat Song.” This song was first played in the late 19th century and is a meaningful song for memorializing someone who has passed, especially a Scot.
This tune recounts the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape after the Jacobite rising of 1745:
Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailors cry; Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye. Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclaps rend the air; Baffled, our foes stand by the shore, Follow they will not dare. Many’s the lad, fought in that day Well the claymore did wield; When the night came, silently lay Dead on Culloden’s field. Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep, Ocean’s a royal bed. Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep Watch by your weary head. Burned are their homes, exile and death Scatter the loyal men; Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath Charlie will come again.Pipers may choose to play “Skye Boat Song” at a funeral as the lyrics reflect a journey over sea and sky. Though the song is literally about an escape, in the aftermath of a death this song tells the story of an amazing person who is moving on into another world, which can be very meaningful to mourners at a funeral.
Oft in the Stilly Night
“Oft in the Stilly Night” is a poem written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852), which is also played as a song. The speaker reflects on boyhood and draws comparisons between memories of the past and the present day. Nostalgia, fear of death and taking a moment to reflect on life are all ideas explored by Moore in “Oft in the Stilly Night”:
Oft, in the stilly night, Ere slumber’s chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood’s years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone, Now dimm’d and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere slumber’s chain hath bound me, Sad memory brings the light Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends, so link’d together, I’ve seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather; I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garlands dead, And all but he departed! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere slumber’s chain has bound me, Sad memory brings the light Of other days around me.Moore’s poem, when translated through the bag of a pipe, evokes a yearning to remember the past. It’s a beautiful way to memorialize a loved one on the day they are laid to rest.
Amazing Grace
“Amazing Grace” is a traditional funeral song that holds meaning for many people. Though it was written more than 200 years ago, the lyrics and melody still resonate with folks from all over the world. This song has been reimagined in many ways, by countless artists. It remains an incredibly popular song and is often sung at traditional church services on Sunday mornings.
The timeless song speaks about a deep faith and love for God, which can be of special importance if the deceased was religious. Despite the slow, somber melody, the lyrics are full of hope. This emblematic hymn is a favorite across cultures, continents, generations and languages.
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found T’was blind but now I see T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear And Grace, my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed Through many dangers, toils and snares We have already come. T’was grace that brought us safe thus far And grace will lead us home, And grace will lead us home Amazing grace, How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now am found T’was blind but now I see Was blind, but now I see.Danny Boy
“Danny Boy”, written by Englishman Frederic Weatherly in the early 20th century, is a touching song choice for funerals, especially when piped. It is an Irish folk song set to the tune of “Londonderry Air,” and has a strong connection with Irish and Scottish communities. Despite this, it is played at funerals of varying nationalities. “Danny Boy” is frequently chosen for several reasons, not least of which is its deep and emotional message. It is also a song that celebrates bagpipes, as well as laments the loss of life.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow,
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,
It’s I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
Scotland the Brave
This song is known as an unofficial Scottish anthem. Though it is not explicitly a funeral song, it is a beautiful addition to the musical program at a memorial service-particularly when laying to rest a person of Scottish heritage.
Hark where the night is falling hark hear the pipes a calling Loudly and proudly calling down thru the glen There where the hills are sleeping Now feel the blood a leaping High as the spirits of the old highland men Towering in gallant fame Scotland my mountain hame High may your proud standards gloriously wave Land of my high endeavor Land of the shining river Land of my heart forever, Scotland the Brave High in the misty mountains Out by the purple highlands Brave are the hearts that beat beneath Scottish skies Wild are the winds to meet you Staunch are the friends that greet you Kind as the love that shines from fair maidens eyes.More tunes can be found here in ‘some popular tunes from the repertoire’
http://www.goldcoastbagpiper.com/some-popular-tunes-from-the-repertoire