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History of Bagpipes & Firefighting

Historian Cecil Adams explains that "it is generally thought that bagpipes are a Scottish
instrument. But in fact, both the Irish and Scottish branches of the Celtic tribes played
them, and some argue about who invented them. "A dying art a century ago, bagpipe
playing was revived in large part by Irish immigrants in the New World who wanted to
preserve their culture. Many of the guys were cops. For instance, Francis O'Neill, Chicago
police chief from 1901 to 1905, organized an 'Irish music club' that sparked renewed
interest in the bagpipes. When cops wanted to salute their fallen brethren they thought
quite naturally of the pipes, which had been played at funerals for hundreds of years.

"A big promoter of this practice over the past half century has been the Emerald Society,
an Irish fraternal organization found at many police departments. Many chapters sponsor
pipe-and-drum bands. Being practical folk, cops use Scottish version of the bagpipes,
which are louder and better suited to outdoor use the Irish counterpart.

The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the
United States goes back over one hundred and fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish
immigrated to this country, they brought many traditions with them. One of these was the
bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).

It wasn't until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of
the United States that the tradition of the pipes really took hold in the fire department. In
the 1800's, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. Factories and shops had signs
reading "NINA" - No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one
else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both - firefighters and police officers. It
was not an uncommon event to have several firefighters killed at a working fire. The Irish
firefighters' funerals were typical of all Irish funerals - the pipes were played. It was
somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of pipes when his dignity
would not let him weep for a fallen comrade.

Those who have been to funerals when bagpipes play, know how haunting and mournful
the sound of the pipes can be. Before long, families and friends of non-Irish firefighters
began asking for the piper to play for there fallen heroes. The pipes add a special air and
dignity to the solemn occasion.

Associated with cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, pipe bands
representing both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed playing members.
They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland - the Emerald Isle.
Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform.
All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single
color kilt.

Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The pipes have
come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.

Tags: Bagpipes, History, Tradition, firefighting

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JP Moore on August 21, 2007 at 12:00pm

Thanks for this.

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on August 22, 2007 at 2:08am

While This is the Emerald Society's version as one will see on many ES sites.Itslittle known That the bagpipe as musical instrument is far from just a celtic tradition, most likely orginated in the middle east, and was carried both to the far east as well as into the"west" (meaning europe). traditionally bagpipes were known in spain, Italy, theBalkans,parts of Russia as well as the far reaches of Scandinavia and Ireland and Scotland... Most likely thatduring the Baroque period the pipes became less popular in many parts of europe because of its Lmited range, while in the distant Highlands and Ireland... When the English began to overrun each country respectively any semblance of ethnic identity was banned and considered an act of war, Highland dress, highland music was banned and the bagpipes in either respective country was banned as playing was considered and actof war against the English. In the Highlands of Scotland the english ability to truely rule was impossible while ireland was more easliy accessed.... During this time the art of piping was passed father to son inscotland in a verbal manner each movement and note orgracenote had a "sounds like verbalization because being found in posetion ofwritten tunes was a death sentance...

during the emmigration beginning in the 1840's great potato famine and in later years the irish were hardly welcomed here as was mentioned and over long periods oftime eventually fought they're way into doing jobs thatwere inherantly dangerous and deadly , Police officers,Firefighters, the Military, Mining, the Railroads, and when a man was killed at work, the funeral and wake was done in tradtional irish manner as a celebration of his life, food and drink and music often, surprised the tradtional american "protestant" manner of dealing with the departed... At this point, While there aregood chances that the pipes were played at these "irish wakes" and maybe even graveside, there is no Historical proof That organized pipe bands Played Police or Firefighter funerals en mass prior to the mid 1950's when The NYPD formed they're Emerald society and then the pipe band, followed shortly after by the FDNY ES and Band as well, You have Chicago Police ES Pipes band and from there Itslowly expanded and grew slowly within the fire service until the 1990's when due in part to the internet (availability of information) and events nationally sort of jump started many groups, Its been said that in Fire departments the size of Chicago and DCFD that interest was not large enough to get interested parties together , until after 9/11/2001. From Around 1990 there were aproximately 15 or 18 fire or police and fire bands, out there nationally and Canada (1), Scotland(1) in January 2007 I began documenting this very growth and to date have an incompleteworking list of close to 100 Fire pipe bands In the US and about 20 "public service" (police and fire) Bands as well as 2 EMS services bands , 5 maybe 6 in Canada, two In Ireland, 5 In the UK and Scotland.... I dont plan on documenting stickly Police bands at this point in my life..:) I would welcome anyone with interest to check out http://www.phpbbserver.com/smokenpipes which is a fire/pipes forum with various topics related to the subject as well as the full working list of Pipe bands including links to those who have websites and even in some cases whatever online referances thatsuggest they even exist.. we are always looking for folks who are involved in the fire piping community to come in and share, especially to get better information on smaller "honorguard pipers orgroups , that represent they're brothers in the same manner as the largest bands and might not have a website Hope to see youstop in and join the forum.. Jim

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on February 21, 2008 at 1:55am

I'd just like to Mention too, that after a year of actual reserch and work I have put into looking for related Pipe bands etc,... 1) the list is Still growing as we speak, as is the forum. 2) after Colorado springs (IAFF memorial this year a Brother from Michigan began his own Blog site to document in a differant way so we are partnered up to some extent , and A west coast Piper and two freinds (writer and Filmaker) will begin a year long project documentary on public service (including Police only) bands though it will only cover US bands...from day one beyond no one is denying irish involvement, obviously and no one is saying its never happened, but there would be more evidence of it .....

Permalink Reply by Band of Brothers pipes and drums on April 21, 2008 at 11:30am

The pipes have been played in many theatres of combat, from the american civil war up into the Gulf War. The tune "Garryowen" was known to be played by Gen Custer's men and was adopted by the 7th cav. I can't find the pics but have seen the Irish Brigade pipers of the 69th(?) New York. The germans hated the pipes cause it kept them awake in the trenches during WWI and there was a British/Irish unit that was on the beaches of Normandy playing irish war pipes.

Recently, I read an article where a soldier sent away for someone here back in the states to sew him a digital desert camo kilt (may have been util-i-kilt who fixed him up). I guess his commander says its ok to wear but he plays the pipes and wears this kilt. Not sure if its during combat or for special occassions but I do remember reading the comander saying it helped the "esprit de corps". Kinda cool....

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on May 13, 2008 at 5:57pm

Funny You mentioned The tune GarryOwen and its historical connection In the states to Custer and the 7th cav .. You didnt mention "The Minstral Boy" and its historical connections to the US especially during the 1860's and War between the states Both Tunes are of Irish descent The Garry Owen about a drunken folly, and the Minstral Boy many believe about a civil war soldier (however had a much longer history long before "new world" influences .. There is actually another Gary Owen as well, also mistakenly refered to as "Sean South" and correctly called The Bridge of Toombs which s about the Hanging of of an Irish Patriot along the bridge for the crimes against "the crown"

for anyone who claims Irish descent and even those who are not , The Traditions of the Pipes and Pipe music In this country and abroad and how that all plays into the fire service traditions... when the potato famine began to force immigration for survival These people went anywhere they could get to, North america, Oceana, and beyond and often due to the "loyalistic views" even in places Like Here in the northeast NOt long after the Revolution, Most folks here still held certain loyalties to Protestant views after all many of the east coast folks had left england Rather then to be forced to submit as in the case of the irish... when The Irish began to arrive Many were peasant farmers many never owned lands unlike educated religious puritans or others .. language was also an issue ... Signs "NINA" No Irish need apply popped up all over, so The irish immigrants were only offered withtime , some of the most Dangerous of all jobs... The military, Fighting Fires , Fighting Crooks , The railroad , which in those early days was everybit as dangerous as the aforementioned... I would go on to say the highland brigades have played the pipes from the war of the roses and before , Till the most recent Police actions and Nato assignments as well as the gulf war, Iraq, and throughout recent history...
Jim

The only aspect of Cecil Adams' piece is that NYPD / FDNY pipe band history only goes back barely 50 years, 1961,63, Boston 1983, Philly started mid 1990's, Chicago Police shortly after NYPD, Chicago Fire 2007, DCFD tryed several times in recent history but was moved Finally By the events of September 11th 2001, which happens to be a driving force for a Large Number of Service bands in existance today ... To date Calgary, Alberta is one of the only Bands with any evidence of a past history of actually having a Pipe band that I have found in over a year of research ..

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on June 23, 2008 at 11:56am

I should also mention for those of youse who didnt or dont know, because your from oparts of the country where you might not have the chance to see them, The Cadets of West Point and Annapolis Both schools have Pipe bands and The "leathernecks" is of course the Marine Pipe band made up of active service marines and retiree's based out of New Jersey and parts all over the world of course , as well The United States Coast Guard also has a Pipe band made up of members of all branchs within the USCG... To date, I am aware that there are numerous US Army active and retired members who Play, though I don't believe at this point the USA has a sanctioned Pipe band, beyond with the corp of cadets...

Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies

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History of Bagpipes & Firefighting

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