Men in skirts (ngc)

[rodekyll]

My kid was in town over the weekend and we had a nice visit.  He had not been to the local brewery since it opened a pub section, so we went for a beer.  Walking through the door, something was unusual.  There were skirts everywhere.  Mostly on the men.  They were also wearing tasseled fanny packs backwards.  Must have been a dozen or more.  They were getting up to leave as we headed for a table. 

Suddenly from behind us, one of the fellows hollered something and the room broke out in a droning, melodic sort of cacophony.  The men in skirts formed a circle and did "America the Beautiful" with pipes and drums.  They segwayed into "Amazing Grace", and then by twos exited the bar to the Marine Hymm, which continued down the mud street into the rainy night.  I felt sorry for their starched, white spats.  It was the Seattle Pipe and Drum corps in full battle kilt, doing an impromptu concert.  I don't know why they were in town -- no marching events on the schedule.  Galen speculated that they just dropped into town for a beer.  I thought their flight to somewhere else must have had a weather cancellation.  Regardless of the reason, it was an unusual and entertaining scene.

Galen doesn't get to visit often, since he lives in Anchorage and has a fer'real job with responsibilities and stuff.  One of his goals was to get his '78 R80/7 started.  It lives on my back porch under a canoe and a proper bike cover, and is of course surrounded by everything that will fit near it.  It took a half hour to dig it out, and after sitting a couple of years, the Odyssey battery was flat.  We zapped the battery, sniffed the 3-year-old gas, and set the chokes.  It started like it was run regularly, and after blowing out some condensation in the mufflers, looked, smelt, and sounded like he could ride it to Minnesota tomorrow.  There was 2.25" of rain in progress, so we didn't go for a ride.  Seeing it idling with the Luftmeister fairing and Jesse panniers brought back good memories of the tens of thousands of miles we've ridden together over the years.  Maybe we'll get it off the porch next time.   :)

[oldbike54]

 Let the old dog out to hunt before she forgets how   :BEER: Mebbe the band took a right at Albaquirky  ???

  Dusty

[mgfan]

Gotta love the pipes and drums. Used to put the fear of god in the Germans. Maybe that's why she started so well. Time to go!   :BEER:

[crc]

got a mate Harvey that plays the bag pipes. his favourite thing at 5am new years day every year, no matter where wed celebrated, was to wake everyone  as he walked through the camp ground or where ever wed camped and wake everyone up. our crew grew used to it but he sure pissed a lot of other people off ;) harveys shy as and got red hair, but he sure showed pride when he was playing the bags ;-T

[crc]

and for those that haven't tried to play a tune, you need extremely healthy lungs to keep the bag inflated

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Said President MacConnachie to Treasurer MacCall:
"We ought to have a piper for our next Saint Andrew's Ball.
Yon squakin' saxophone gives me the syncopated gripes.
I'm sick of jazz, I want to hear the skirling of the pipes."
"Alas! it's true," said Tam MacCall. "The young folk of to-day
Are fox-trot mad and dinna ken a reel from Strathspey.
Now, what we want's a kiltie lad, primed up wi' mountain dew,
To strut the floor at supper time, and play a lilt or two.
In all the North there's only one; of him I've heard them speak:
His name is Jock MacPherson, and he lives on Boulder Creek;
An old-time hard-rock miner, and a wild and wastrel loon,
Who spends his nights in glory, playing pibrochs to the moon.
I'll seek him out; beyond a doubt on next Saint Andrew's night
We'll proudly hear the pipes to cheer and charm our appetite.
Oh lads were neat and lassies sweet who graced Saint Andrew's Ball;
But there was none so full of fun as Treasurer MacCall.
And as Maloney's rag-time bank struck up the newest hit,
He smiled a smile behind his hand, and chuckled: "Wait a bit."
And so with many a Celtic snort, with malice in his eye,
He watched the merry crowd cavort, till supper time drew nigh.
Then gleefully he seemed to steal, and sought the Nugget Bar,
Wherein there sat a tartaned chiel, as lonely as a star;
A huge and hairy Highlandman as hearty as a breeze,
A glass of whisky in his hand, his bag-pipes on his knees.
"Drink down your doch and doris, Jock," cried Treasurer MacCall;
"The time is ripe to up and pipe; they wait you in the hall.
Gird up your loins and grit  your teeth, and here's a pint of hooch
To mind you of your native heath - jist pit it in your pooch.
Play on and on for all you're worth; you'll shame us if you stop.
Remember you're of Scottish birth - keep piping till you drop.
Aye, though a bunch of Willie boys should bluster and implore,
For the glory of the Highlands, lad, you've got to hold the floor."
The dancers were at supper, and the tables groaned with cheer,
When President MacConnachie exclaimed: "What do I hear?
Methinks it's like a chanter, and its coming from the hall."
"It's Jock MacPherson tuning up," cried Treasurer MacCall.
So up they jumped with shouts of glee, and gaily hurried forth.
Said they: "We never thought to see a piper in the North."
Aye, all the lads and lassies braw went buzzing out like bees,
And Jock MacPherson there they saw, with red and rugged knees.
Full six foot four he strode the floor, a grizzled son of Skye,
With glory in his whiskers and with whisky in his eye.
With skelping stride and Scottish pride he towered above them all:
"And is he no' a bonny sight?" said Treasurer MacCall.
While President MacConnachie was fairly daft with glee,
And there was jubilation in the Scottish Commy-tee.
But the dancers seemed uncertain, and they signified their doubt,
By dashing back to eat as fast as they had darted out.
And someone raised the question 'twixt the coffee and the cakes:
"Does the Piper walk to get away from all the noise he makes?"
Then reinforced with fancy food they slowly trickled forth,
And watching in patronizing mood the Piper of the North.
Proud, proud was Jock MacPherson, as he made his bag-pipes skirl,
And he set his sporran swinging, and he gave his kilts a whirl.
And President MacConnachie was jumping like a flea,
And there was joy and rapture in the Scottish Commy-tee.
"Jist let them have their saxophones wi' constipated squall;
We're having Heaven's music now," said Treasurer MacCall.
But the dancers waxed impatient, and they rather seemed to fret
For Maloney and the jazz of his Hibernian Quartette.
Yet little recked the Piper, as he swung with head on high,
Lamenting with MacCrimmon on the heather hill of Skye.
With Highland passion in his heart he held the centre floor;
Aye, Jock MacPherson played as he had never played before.
Maloney's Irish melodists were sitting in their place,
And as Maloney waited, there was wonder in his face.
'Twas sure the gorgeous music - Golly! wouldn't it be grand
If he could get MacPherson as a member of his band?
But the dancers moped and mumbled, as around the room they sat:
"We paid to dance," they grumbled; "But we cannot dance to that.
Of course we're not denying that it's really splendid stuff;
But it's mighty satisfying - don't you think we've had enough?"
"You've raised a pretty problem," answered Treasurer MacCall;
"For on Saint Andrew's Night, ye ken, the Piper rules the Ball."
Said President MacConnachie: "You've said a solemn thing.
Tradition holds him sacred, and he's got to have his fling.
But soon, no doubt, he'll weary out. Have patience; bide a wee."
"That's right. Respect the Piper," said the Scottish Commy-tee.
 And so MacPherson stalked the floor, and fast the moments flew,
Till half an hour went past, as irritation grew and grew.
The dancers held a council, and with faces fiercely set,
They hailed Maloney, heading his Hibernian Quartette:
"It's long enough, we've waited. Come on, Mike, play up the Blues."
And Maloney hesitated, but he didn't dare refuse.
So banjo and piano, and guitar and saxophone
Contended with the shrilling of the chanter and the drone;
And the women's ears were muffled, so infernal was the din,
But MacPherson was unruffled, for he knew that he would win.
Then two bright boys jazzed round him, and they sought to play the clown,
But MacPherson jolted sideways, and the Sassenachs went down.
And as if it was a signal, with a wild and angry roar,
The gates of wrath were riven - yet MacPherson held the floor.
Aye, amid the rising tumult, still he strode with head on high,
With ribbands gaily streaming, yet with battle in his eye.
Amid the storm that gathered, still he stalked with Highland pride,
While President and Treasurer sprang bravely to his side.
And with ire and indignation that was glorious to see,
Around him in a body ringed the Scottish Commy-tee.
Their teeth were clenched with fury; their eyes with anger blazed:
"Ye manna touch the Piper," was the slogan that they raised.
Then blows were struck, and men went down; yet 'mid the rising fray
MacPherson towered in triumph -  and  he never ceased to play.
Alas! his faithful followers were but a gallant few,
And faced defeat, although they fought with all the skill they knew.
For President MacConnachie was seen to slip and fall,
And o'er his prostrate body stumbled Treasurer MacCall.
And as their foes with triumph roared, and leagured them about,
It looked as if their little band would soon be counted out.
For eyes were black and noses red, yet on that field of gore,
As resolute as Highland rock - MacPherson held the floor.
Maloney watched the battle, and his brows were bleakly set,
While with him paused and panted his Hibernian Quartette.
For sure it is an evil spite, and breaking to the heart,
For Irishman to watch a fight and not be taking part.
Then suddenly on high he soared, and tightened up his belt:
"And shall we see them crush," he roared, "a brother and a Celt?
A fellow artiste needs our aid. Come on, boys, take a hand."
Then down into the mêlée dashed Maloney and his band.
Now though it was Saint Andrew's Ball, yet men of every race,
That bow before the Great God Jazz were gathered in that place.
Yea, there were those who grunt: "Ya! Ya!" and those who squeak: "We! We!"
Likewise Dutch, Dago, Swede and Finn, Polack and Portugee.
Yet like ripe grain before the gale that national hotch-potch
Went down before the fury of the Irish and the Scotch.
Aye, though they closed their gaping ranks and rallied to the fray,
To the Shamrock and the Thistle went the glory of the day.
You should have seen the carnage in the drooling light of dawn,
Yet 'mid the scene of slaughter Jock MacPherson playing on.
Though all lay low about him, yet he held his head on high,
And piped ass if he stood upon the caller crags of Skye.
His face was grim as granite, and no favour did he ask,
Though weary were his mighty lungs and empty was his flask.
And when a fallen foe wailed out: "Say! when will you have done?"
MacPherson grinned and answered: "Hoots! She'll only haf' begun."
Aye, though his hands were bloody, and his knees were gay with gore,
A Grampian of Highland pride - MacPherson held the floor.
And still in Yukon valleys where the silent peaks look down,
They tell of how the Piper was invited up to town,
And he went in kilted glory, and he piped before them all,
But wouldn't stop his piping till busted up the Ball.
Of that Homeric scrap they speak, and how the fight went on,
With sally and with rally till the breaking of the dawn.
And how the Piper towered like a rock amid the fray,
And the battle surged about him, but he never ceased to play.
Aye, by the lonely camp-fires, still they tell the story o'er-
How the Sassenach was vanquished and - MacPherson held the floor.

[Waterbottle]

Thanks Jim, I got all teared up reading that :'(  , Funny Stuff  :D
One of my Favorite movies is Geordie from 1955. love that stuff

[Perazzimx14]

My neighbor periodically serenades the neighborhood with his bag pipes. Sounds like he is murdering a goose.

[Guzzistajohn]

The Devils brigade has it's own pipe and drum band. Really puts a punch to a ceremony. They did a tune with the U.S. army band at the CGM ceremony. Makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck for sure.

[Chuck in Indiana]

My neighbor periodically serenades the neighborhood with his bag pipes. Sounds like he is murdering a several geese.

FTFY

[BigDave in PA]

This thread made me think of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl96vNqNjlg

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Kilts were invented by the Irish.  The Scots still haven't got the joke.

[Perazzimx14]

FTFY

A friend bough his fiance what he though were Red Hot Chili Pepper tickets. When he got the tickets he realised why they were so inexpensive and at the local theater in Hershey PA. He got tickets for the Redhot Chili Pipers.

[Matteo]

The Devils brigade has it's own pipe and drum band. Really puts a punch to a ceremony. They did a tune with the U.S. army band at the CGM ceremony. Makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck for sure.

One of my all time favorite movie scenes was from the Devils Brigade, when the Canadians march into camp playing Scotland the brave.

[Lannis]

  Said President MacConnachie to Treasurer MacCall:
"We ought to have a piper for our next Saint Andrew's Ball.
....

Good one!!

Lannis

[Kiwi_Roy]

Reads like Robert Service?

[lucydad]

Rode,

Beer is good.

Beer in Alaska is better.

Beer in Sitka with son must be best.

Starting old bikes is sublime.

Add the pipes of Scotland and life is bonnie.

Did you look up their kilts?

[rodekyll]

No, I gave up skirts.  Never know what's up there.

When I was a kid we lived in a rural area where you could only see the neighbor's houses at night in the winter when the leaves were off the oaks.  Somewhere upstream on the creek, someone had bagpipes.  He played them in the evenings, sometimes for hours.  My mom loved it.  Along with the smell of wet dirt, hot livestock, and split Douglas fir, the bagpipes were part of summer.  The songs would come in on the breezes and we'd listen to them, mom and us all in a row in the lawn swing.  Crickets and frogs chirped along, the swing squeaked as it rocked, and the summer fruit added a fragrance to the music.  We never knew who he was.  We just called him the bagpipe man.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Reads like Robert Service?

 Give that man a Haggis.