What is the signifigance of playing bagpipes at a funeral?
There is no sound more mournful than Amazing Grace on the pipes, so it’s just appropriate for funerals. Police and military picked it up from the Brits, who picked it up from the Scotts. The Irish are in there somewhere (origin of the bagpipes relates to the Micks IIRC, and don’t slam me cause I’m a good part-Mick myself). I think it probably has to do with the proliferation of Irish-americans in the law enforcement community settuing traditions, but I am probably wrong.
I’m sure they play bagpipes at funerals in order to sadistically torture people who are already suffering. There can be no other explanation.
Kind of off the subject, but I like the sound of well played bagpipes. I like them far away from me, because up close is just too much. There sound does seem to be very appropriate for a funeral, though.
Cecil covered this: What does “kumbayah” mean? Plus: Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals?
Actually, bagpipes are a very ancient instrument which originated in the Middle East:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/2328/bagpipes.html
Irish Uillean pipes sound amazing, though. I’d rather listen to them than the traditional highland pipes. And I’m a good part-Scot.
Q: Why do bagpipers walk while they’re playing?
A: They’re trying to get away from the noise.
Q: Why do bagpipers walk while they’re playing?
I thought it was because a moving target is harder to hit.