Finding an Interesting Book (Installment two)

A person who doesn’t read is no better off than one who can’t, and I am thankful to be one who enjoys reading.  The public library offers a treasure of excellent books.  One that captured my interest is “The Pillars of the Earth,” by Ken Follett.  The story began in 1123 AD.

I am intrigued by the skill of architects and artisans who built English cathedrals in the ancient days when they had to invent their own equipment.  They suffered extreme poverty and hardship, and yet their devotion to the task enabled them to persevere and see the finished result.

At the same time, battles were being fought on foot and horseback, using swords and axes.  Bravery of the fighting men was amazing and the battlefield became littered with the bodies of both men and horses.  Atrocities were committed by ones in leadership because of their sense of power and to show what they could do to punish those who would not comply with their authority.  Pride, greed and immorality were driving forces.  Battles and the destruction of villages, along with their people, were terribly exciting; not for enjoyable reading, because it wasn’t, but because these events were a part of history that can’t be ignored as trivial.  Of personalities, some were admirable, others detestable.

To build a beautiful cathedral required hundreds of people to dig the basement and haul building materials from the quarry and forest.  Money wasn’t available to pay laborers and the monks in charge found a way to employ local citizens without having to pay them.  If they didn’t work, they would burn in the eternal fires of hell and if they volunteered, they were promised eternal life with God.  This was termed penance, or payment to God for their sins.  Most of those poor uneducated people were not able to read and didn’t know that the Bible tells us, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:9

I admire the author for his ability to describe every situation or architectural design in minute detail, and I appreciated his fine vocabulary.  I began recording new words in my computer, adding their meanings from the dictionary.  I will use them on occasion.

Although the story is fictional, I’d recommend it to friends who have an interest in history, though they must be prepared for situations of cruelty.  One gets the sense of being there and sharing their poverty and labor, besides becoming sympathetic to those people for the misery being imposed upon them by individuals steeped in their own authority.  I’d not recommend the book to immature and sensitive individuals.

I admired Tom the artisan, building his beloved cathedral.  He built it stone by stone, seeing the walls go up and the arches adding beauty and strength to the church according to his design.  I was reminded of a poem referring to each of us a stone used in the building of Christ’s church.  Each is different, but together, we fit in place to make his church secure.

Christ builds his church with different stones
And makes each one secure;
All shapes and sizes fit in place
To make his church endure.
                                                  -Anonymous

A Week's Experiences (Installment one)

It has been an interesting week, and I will share some of the experiences and lessons I’ve learned.

My wife found a newspaper advertisement for a set of nesting tables for sale and she arranged for us to see them.  An elderly couple in a small apartment welcomed us, and it was obvious they were extremely crowded.  Belongings filled their space beyond capacity, much like in a second hand store where nothing is organized.  We were told that this was only part of what all that had to be moved and that the heavier objects had already gone.  Nevertheless, there were still two love seats and several bookshelves, besides books and numerous artifacts.  One was as an elephant tusk carved with five elephants and a tiger.  The couple admitted being very tired.

Glances into the bedroom, washroom, small storage room and the balcony, proved that they had allowed their belongings to rule their lives.  Their task had been left so long that they could barely cope.  If they had regularly condensed their belongings it would have made moving so much easier.  If only they had done it before becoming too old and weary or before having to leave it for someone else!  This was an important lesson for us although we had recently reduced our own belongings before moving to BC from Manitoba.  Apparently, there are various degrees of hoarding.  Some cannot bear to part with familiar objects, while others who are grossly affected, will part with nothing.  A comfortable home can become a difficult place in which to maneuver and be a source of anguish.

Our real treasures on earth are our family and friends, and all the considerate things we can do for others.  Jesus advised us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

Jesus Paid It All

Here is one final hymn to conclude my series on notation in 3/4 time.  Please play it as it is written.  In the chorus, the bagpipes articulate the name, Jesus, and proclaim that “Jesus paid it all.”  I love to let my bagpipes speak like that and they can “speak” with great feeling in those words, when one is marching in step with the music.

Some may wonder what is meant by "Jesus Paid it All." It was the sacrifice by Jesus, of His life for us personally, as payment to God for our sins that separate us from God.  Many believe that everyone is assured of going to Heaven as a result; that forgiveness is automatically given to everyone.  That is not exactly what the Scripture tells us.  Individuals have to ask forgiveness personally.  Doing good things is not the answer. We would never know when we did enough.  Newness in our life comes after forgiveness.

After our pastor spoke on the subject, I understood it was for individuals that Jesus gave His life.  It wasn't difficult to understand that everyone sins sometimes in his or her life and God is so Holy that sin is an affront to Him.  It actually separates a person from God.  The pastor told us that there was a time when people sacrificed various animals to God for the sake of asking forgiveness.  An animal or bird substituted for the life of the person asking forgiveness.  Offerings were acceptable to God as if they were offerings of their own lives, because it meant the giving of a life.  Sin is so serious that our own death is the price that should be paid to God for our sinfulness.

God, in His great love, provided an even better Sacrifice for us than animals, in the person of Jesus His Son.  He was both man and God.  He took our place, paying the price for the sins of men and women of that time and even before and after that time because He was God.  He died for you and for me, but we have to acknowledge that He died in our place and thank Him for this wonderful gift.  The gift is the forgiveness of our sins and union with Him in fellowship.  It is a fellowship with the Father and the Son.  Because we have faith that our sins have been forgiven, we are able to enjoy a personal relationship with God. We can come to God any time and He will listen to us.  No longer will our sins cause God's face to be hidden from us.  We have the promise of eternal life besides.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 11:4, 5 that it is recorded that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son.  He that has the Son has life and he that doesn't have the Son of God, does not have life.  In other words, the promise of eternal life is assured to those who have accepted Jesus' gift of having paid for their unworthiness.  "Jesus Paid it All."

I hear the Saviour say, thy strength indeed is small,

Child of weakness, watch and pray; find in Me thine all in all.

For nothing good have I where-by Thy grace to claim;

I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's Lamb,

And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete,

Jesus died my soul to save, My lips shall still repeat,

"Jesus paid it all."  All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

If you would like a clearer copy of the music, you may order "Wondrous Love," Vol. 7 of The Church Piper from Henderson's Imports Ltd. in Michigan.

A Problem With Three-Fours, continued

In my last posting, I made reference to the following retreats, which I gladly share with you today, written correctly, with the proper introductory pick-up measures, repeat endings, and beat emphasis.  Enjoy and share freely!

A Problem With Three-Fours

Waltzes are favorites the world over, especially such popular selections as, “The Blue Danube,” “Tales From The Vienna Woods,” and “Wine, Women and Song. ” By their compelling rhythm, they can send a dancing couple twisting and turning most gracefully ’round and about the ballroom dance floor.

What would happen to our sense of rhythm if any of these familiar tunes were altered to shift the beat to the introductory note?  Could a dancing couple continue swirling to the uplifting beat of the 3-quarter note rhythm?  Of course not!  It would cause outright confusion!  Such is absolutely the case with most of our pipe tunes in 3/4 time, namely, retreats.  For some unknown reason, the majority of these tunes have been written as if they had no introduction.  One is to begin playing without any feeling, expression or meaning, simply by attacking the first note of the introduction as if it should have the emphasis of the first beat of the tune, -which it doesn’t.  An instructor will advise his or her students saying, “play the way the notes have been written and don’t question why the bars are where they are.”  One is told, “That is the way composers wrote them, and that’s the way we pipe-majors say these tunes are to be played, regardless of what you think about the inaccuracy.  Besides, many of our band pipers are too old to change the way they’ve been playing!”

Music in three-quarter time includes waltzes, retreats and some hymns.  The most familiar of all hymns in 3/4 time is certainly “Amazing Grace.”  Now, even that beautiful hymn has been adulterated and made to suffer from having been poorly rearranged for pipe bands.  The introductory note has been made the first note of emphasis for the hymn.   One just steps off with the left foot on the first note.  It “shivered my timbers” to see The Black Watch out of step on this hymn.  It is written correctly below.

Settings of well-known retreats written by conscientious regimental pipers for pipe bands have been accepted as standard.  For the sake of accuracy, and to produce the best sounding music, correction should be made in nearly all of these retreats, to make their introductions specific.  There must also be a first and second ending; the first one having a half note and two eighth notes of the introduction, with the second ending having a dotted half note, to finish the tune with three beats.

Consider for example, “The Green Hills of Tyrol,” keeping the words in mind while playing.  Listen as you play the words of the second verse- “Because those green hills are not Highland hills.” The first three words, played by the two introductory notes are an introduction, and this puts the natural emphasis on “green hills,” on the left foot.  In the generally played version of the tune, a piper will be on the right foot for “green,” not the left.  Automatically, the soloist or a whole pipe band is out of step!  This does not produce an acceptable performance and it is quite disconcerting to pipers who know the difference!  In a conversation with a concert trumpet player, he agreed by saying, “It would drive us musicians nuts!”

One should begin “The Green Hills of Tyrol” by playing the introductory notes on the right foot and leading off with the left, on “C.”  This makes a considerable difference in the feeling when playing the tune!  When completing the tune, it’s natural and correct, to hold the last note for 3 beats.  The music is usually written with 2 beats given to the last note, while it is correct to play three, with that last note being the only one in the bar.

The same analysis holds true in starting “When the Battle’s O’er,” and the words can be used as a guide.  From there on, the 3/4 time feeling of the tune falls into place, which causes one to emphasize the beat.  A piper should have the feeling of holding the notes that require emphasis on the left foot.

Several three-four tunes, now my favorites, offered no sense of satisfaction at one time, simply because they were not started correctly and could not be given the correct expression.  “Marche du Petre,” for example, written with one introductory note, actually requires three introductory notes.  They are counted out, “and three and one”  “One” will be the first beat in the bar, the quarter note, “F.”

Other familiar three-fours as examples, should be corrected.  They are, “Heroes of Oosterbeek,” “Castle Dangerous,” “The Dream Valley of Glendaruel,” “Pipe Major J. K. Cairns,” “My Land” and “Balmoral.”  There are many more.  They will sound better and pipers will enjoy them once they are played with these changes in mind.

It would be lovely to have a book “Retreats, Waltzes and Other Three-Fours” to contain corrected music for all 3/4 time tunes written for bagpipes, all neatly standardized for pipe bands.  For now, pipers should be satisfied to have a few of their most familiar and favorite retreats arranged so they can be enjoyed and played compatibly with other bands and within medleys.  Pipers will become mindful of how retreats should be played, and be able to correct the ones with which they are familiar.  It should be noted that the last bar should consist of one note that requires 3 beats and it should not be cut off with only two.

This article’s mission will have been accomplished when both old and new retreat compositions, along with hymns in 3/4 time, are played with the correct “Three-quarter time feel,” and pipers will be marching with emphasis on the left foot.  Other objectives of this Blog, “Piping With A Purpose,” will have been met in the same way.

I encourage you to make the adjustment in playing music in 3/4 time, using introductions where they are intended.  You will enjoy them immensely.

A Whole Band Out Of Step

The official Anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is "God Save The Queen," while "The Flower of Scotland" is Scotland's Unofficial National Anthem, along with "Scotland the Brave."  It commemorates the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.  Other compositions the Scots are inclined to call their National Anthems are, "The Thistle of Scotland," "Highland Cathedral," "Scots Wha Ha'e Wi' Wallace Bled" and "Auld Lang Syne."  The musical arrangement of "The Flower of Scotland" will be addressed in this short article.

A selection accepted as a country's National Anthem should be written as a standard that can be played the same anywhere.  Consequently, the music for "The Flower of Scotland" is being presented in this blog to show how it has been changed from the original and rewritten for pipe bands by Pipe Major J.G. Slattery for The Scots Guards.  Although bands play it this way, it doesn't offer the same satisfying feeling as the arrangement by Roy M.B. Williamson, the composer.  For example, the name "Scotland" is broken with the emphasis falling on 'land' and not on 'Scotland,' which should get the emphasis.  'Scotland' should fall on the left foot.  'Land' should fall on the right foot and get less emphasis.

Notice the notes that should be held for the word 'see' in the line, "When will we see your like again?"  The word 'see' should not be broken as it is in this band arrangement.  The E should be held for three beats.  With three beats, it gives the tune a nice flowing feel, whereas with only two beats, the tune is choppy.  Similarly, the word 'again' should not be cut off as it is in the band arrangement.

When the music was being arranged for "The Church Piper," Vol. 12B, "More Songs of Scotland," permission from the composer was obtained and the bagpipe arrangement followed his direction precisely.  The only correction he made was to ask that the words in the first verse should begin, "Oh flower of Scotland."  His musical composition began with an introduction of three notes with the corresponding words, "Oh flower of."  Thus, the emphasis fell on "Scotland," which has the first note in the bar.  A pipe band will step off with the left foot on "Scotland."

[To view a larger image of the music above, click on it]

In contrast with this, P/M Slattery's music has the band beginning with the introduction of only one note, causing the left foot to fall on "flower."  This puts the right foot on "Scotland."  A musician will have an easier time to play Roy Williamson's arrangement that flows along nicely, than Slattery's that tends to be choppy and out of step.


"The Flower of Scotland" is beautiful for its music and words. It is worthy to be a National Anthem.  It should be played with all its potentiality for the great song that it is.

In Step with the Spirit

In a pipe band we must keep in step with one another and play in unison.  We must listen well to those around us and be aware of the cadence set by the bass drummer for the tune itself.


Applied to life, the Scripture says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep step with the Spirit."(Galatians 5:25)  In other words, just as we march and play in unison with the band, "walking" in our Christian lives must be such as to keep in step with the Spirit of God.  His Spirit will help our lives to become harmonious.  He will establish the lead by which we are to follow, like following the bass drum, which sets the pace for the band.  (The Pipe Major, who is directly responsible for the rhythm, would already have given instructions to the base drummer, whose responsibility it is, to maintain that cadence)

By not listening to the correct beat, we will have a different cadence  from the band and be off beat and off the tune and even out of step.  That is like straying off life's pathway.  The result is obvious.  We would become lost and have to reconsider our actions and readjust our lives.  "If a man imagines himself to be somebody, when he is nothing, he is deluding himself.  Each man should examine his own conduct for himself; then he can measure his achievement by comparing with himself and not with anyone else." (Galatians 6:3)

That is what we have to do when playing in the band.  If we are not in unison, then we must stop playing and listen.  Soon, we can continue to play, this time in unison.  However, with experience and practice, with confidence and expertise, we will maintain unity with those around us.

To tell if we are walking in step with the Spirit, evidence of the Spirit will dwell in our lives.  The Scripture tells us,, "If the Spirit is the source of our life let the Spirit also direct our course." (Galatians 5:25)  A verse to    contemplate is,

Oh may the life of the Savior flow through us,

Bearing rich fruit by the Spirit within,

And may each longing for selfish enjoyment

Be overcome lest it lead us to sin.

                                                                                      -D. J. DeHann