Why are bag pipes played during the funeral of a police officer or fireman?

[jtvang125]

I was watching Infernal Affairs this weekend and noticed even the chinese police department had a bag pipe playing during the funeral of one of their fallen officers.

 

[KK]

tradition

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: KK
tradition

What tradition?

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

Originally posted by: KK
tradition

What tradition?

the bag pipe tradition. I dunno, look it up on that wikipedia site.

 

[KLin]

http://www.texaspolicecentral.com/customs.html

 

[TehMac]

Texas Police:
Bagpipes

The history of the bagpipes for officers in the United States originates from law enforcement and fire fighters in the eastern states. Most officers were of Irish decent and bagpipes traditionally announced the Queen Army marching to and from battle. With its beautiful tones, it is traditional to honor the officer and the family.

Ermm, while this is true, the irish bagpipes are 'skirlies' the Scottish bagpipes are what get played. Every true bagpiper knows this! :|

 

[Gneisenau]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Texas Police:
Bagpipes

The history of the bagpipes for officers in the United States originates from law enforcement and fire fighters in the eastern states. Most officers were of Irish decent and bagpipes traditionally announced the Queen Army marching to and from battle. With its beautiful tones, it is traditional to honor the officer and the family.

Ermm, while this is true, the irish bagpipes are 'skirlies' the Scottish bagpipes are what get played. Every true bagpiper knows this! :|

But it takes a Irishman to play the pipes....

 

[KB]

To make those who are alive, envy those who are now dead.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: Gneisenau

Originally posted by: TehMac

Texas Police:
Bagpipes

The history of the bagpipes for officers in the United States originates from law enforcement and fire fighters in the eastern states. Most officers were of Irish decent and bagpipes traditionally announced the Queen Army marching to and from battle. With its beautiful tones, it is traditional to honor the officer and the family.

Ermm, while this is true, the irish bagpipes are 'skirlies' the Scottish bagpipes are what get played. Every true bagpiper knows this! :|

But it takes a Irishman to play the pipes....

Nah.... it takes a Spaniard - http://www.amazon.com/Tierra-Nadie-Hevia/dp/B00000JJO2

But I prefer the piping of Andrew Douglas - http://www.cnaturalmusic.com/home.html

 

[Goosemaster]

so when you join the force you join the clan I guess

Nuttin' rong wit yee fokes doe.....

 

[Nerva]

well in infernal affairs, it's actually the hk police department, and because it was under british guns for a long time, the tradition carried over. at least i think that is the logical explanation

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: PELarson
But I prefer the piping of Andrew Douglas - http://www.cnaturalmusic.com/home.html

Good taste. Do you play too?

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: Steve

Originally posted by: PELarson
But I prefer the piping of Andrew Douglas - http://www.cnaturalmusic.com/home.html

Good taste. Do you play too?

No... but I enjoy the pipes and I work with his mother.

 

[pontifex]

I like bagpipes too.
I don't know if its the type of pipes, the player, or the song, but some can sound really horrible and some can sound very beautiful.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
I was watching Infernal Affairs this weekend and noticed even the chinese police department had a bag pipe playing during the funeral of one of their fallen officers.

HK police, British system, thus bagpipes.

 

[FoBoT]

there are scottish people everywhere

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

We have a downed piper. The piper is down.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: PELarson

Originally posted by: Steve

Originally posted by: PELarson
But I prefer the piping of Andrew Douglas - http://www.cnaturalmusic.com/home.html

Good taste. Do you play too?

No... but I enjoy the pipes and I work with his mother.

That's pretty cool. I think I've competed against him once or twice. Of course he kicked ass.

Originally posted by: pontifex
I like bagpipes too.
I don't know if its the type of pipes, the player, or the song, but some can sound really horrible and some can sound very beautiful.

Generally it's the player's skill as well as their instrument, not so much the kind but how well they maintain it. If you want a good contrast, then compare the piper at President Reagan's funeral with that at President Ford's (although the weather at the latter was an issue too).

 

[Steve]

Oh yeah, I was also going to say that bagpipes are becoming more popular at weddings, funerals etc. as people see what a nice touch they add, regardless of heritage. I played at a Quinceañera a few weeks ago despite it being largely Hispanic (they also had a ten-piece Mariachi band).

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Steve
Oh yeah, I was also going to say that bagpipes are becoming more popular at weddings, funerals etc. as people see what a nice touch they add, regardless of heritage. I played at a Quinceañera a few weeks ago despite it being largely Hispanic (they also had a ten-piece Mariachi band).

That's the most bizarre thing I have ever heard... Bagpipes at a hispanic event...

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Steve
Oh yeah, I was also going to say that bagpipes are becoming more popular at weddings, funerals etc. as people see what a nice touch they add, regardless of heritage. I played at a Quinceañera a few weeks ago despite it being largely Hispanic (they also had a ten-piece Mariachi band).

That's the most bizarre thing I have ever heard... Bagpipes at a hispanic event...

Well, the father is Irish and his grandfather had written a pipe tune while emigrating that they got me to play, so there's that part of it too. But the people at the event were mostly Hispanic.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Steve

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Steve
Oh yeah, I was also going to say that bagpipes are becoming more popular at weddings, funerals etc. as people see what a nice touch they add, regardless of heritage. I played at a Quinceañera a few weeks ago despite it being largely Hispanic (they also had a ten-piece Mariachi band).

That's the most bizarre thing I have ever heard... Bagpipes at a hispanic event...

Well, the father is Irish and his grandfather had written a pipe tune while emigrating that they got me to play, so there's that part of it too. But the people at the event were mostly Hispanic.

Ah, that is not the same thing then. If there is an Irish connection in there, then it is not weird.