Knowing the Words Helps

Technically, one plays the music the way it’s written; holding notes and cutting them according to the composer’s intention.  Keeping exact time for every bar of music is also part of a musician’s skill.  There’s also something besides, which is inherent in our minds.  It is the rhythmic beat that carries the music along and helps to give expression to its message.

Along with this, is the benefit from knowing the words for the song you are playing because they keep you intent on the line of music.  Playing the words is far more satisfying than just playing notes, and if it’s a hymn that’s being played, the words, known as the lyrics, will carry a message that is even more understandable than the words of a well thought-out message of a practiced minister.

That is what I want to relay to you.  It is the need to remember when playing this beautiful hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” that I’ve loved since I was a boy, that music is a language everyone understands.  Think of the words you are playing, and that your bagpipes are singing while people are listening.  Some people will hear the words in German, others in Spanish or French, or some other language, depending on the language that is familiar, and yet, each time when your pipes are playing, the words may be in English, but someone else is hearing them in his or her own native language.

In this hymn, think as you play, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”  Those who know the words will hear those words.  “Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?”  Think as you play, “Oh, what needless pain we bear, because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” “In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.”

There is so much depth of feeling and emotion in this hymn, and you are telling those who listening, that you know Jesus personally, the One person who knows your deepest sorrows and weaknesses, and He has promised to share your burdens.  In your effort to share God’s wonderful promises with others, you will probably feel deep emotions yourself, and be assured that the time will come when “there will be no need for prayer,” for it will be in glory, that you will meet your Saviour personally.  Here are the words to that beautiful hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”  Play them with all your heart for others to listen.

Playing in Harmony

 It is wonderful to play harmony in the band.  I would love to see and hear more pipers enjoying this experience.  Regularly, I will play harmony for such tunes as, “The Green Hills of Tyrol,” “O Rowan Tree,” “Wings,” and “Amazing Grace.”  I intend to play harmony for many more tunes, and will introduce them if anyone is desirous.  With this present blog, I hope to introduce you to a favourite hymn that I have loved since I was a lad.  I was taught to sing it, by my mother, who knew all the words, just as she did for many other hymns, such as, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” and “In the Garden.”  The roll has already been called for my mother, and my dad, as well as for two of my sisters.  I truly want to share with you, the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”  That’s because, as you will see from the words of the hymn, it is “a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”  You will need a piper friend to play together with you, and you will appreciate what it is to have a friend.  Even so, there is no dearer Friend than Jesus, who “will all our sorrows share.”

One of my dear friends is George Delanghe, a piper in Las Vegas.  He and I have worked together to arrange the accompanying harmony to “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”  So far, we haven’t been able to play it together, but we’re both anxious for you to find a friend with whom you can play this hymn.  Perhaps, you will consider the words too, and assimilate them meaningfully in your own life.  We have more beautiful hymns if you would like to practice perfect timing and mutual expression, tuning your ears to the best harmony you can produce.  Don’t overlook the need to have your pipes tuned to perfection.

Like many hymns, there is a story.  The author, Joseph Scriven, was about to be married.  His bride-to-be was drowned the day before the ceremony could take place.  Later on, when he was about to marry another lady, she also died.  He lived the rest of his life trusting Jesus to help him bear his grief.

Music For Morning Church Service

I am sharing the three hymns I mentioned in my last blog post. I've played them on occasion, to begin a Sunday morning's church service. I would start at the back of the sanctuary and march in with the hymn, "Teach Me To Pray." At the front, I would turn and march several times across in front of the Remembrance Table. After completing the hymn twice over, I would begin "The Lord's Prayer," at first playing almost hesitatingly, because I would be playing to God, and would be gaining confidence in "speaking" to our Heavenly Father. With confidence coming from my assurance that Jesus taught me how to pray, I would play with an even time, and with considerable feeling. Immediately, the words to the prayer would be in my head and the timing would be precise. The music would develop to the climactic point. The people would have been singing the words silently, with emotion, immersed in their quiet singing of the Lord's Prayer, just as I would be when playing those words, "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."

And, because playing "The Lord's Prayer," means being in direct communication with our Lord, while my pipes are "singing" the words that Jesus taught me, I am energized and it causes me to want to continue into a hymn that's right for marching out. "Singing I Go" expresses that eagerness. It is a hymn full of life, which is exactly how praying "The Lord's Prayer" prepares a person for the morning's service and for the days ahead.

These three hymns are from several of the hymnbooks for pipers in the series, The Church Piper. They are available from Henderson's Distributors.  Other medleys for call to worship are applicable, and I could be pleased to assist enthusiastic pipers to prepare their own call to worship.

The Lord's Prayer

When we pray, we are actually speaking to God, and Jesus has given us a wonderful prayer as a model. It is rich in its teaching and brilliant in its significance. God has given us the right to address Him. Jesus had a unique relationship with God. We are co-heirs with Jesus and He encourages us to approach God with tremendous freedom. He assured us that, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask.”

As you pray this prayer, or play it on the pipes for call to worship or at a wedding, think of the words throughout. Prayer is sacred, because we are speaking to God. We come before the Lord in prayer, and it’s from our heart. We should think of our Almighty God as our gracious Heavenly Father. In prayer, God is to be exalted as our Heavenly Father. Nevertheless, He lives here, amongst us. It is fitting and appropriate to reverence and honor God as most holy, when we pray. Our prayer was fashioned by Jesus, so that God will be hallowed. Jesus taught us to say, “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

We are about half way through The Lord’s Prayer before we even begin to ask God for anything, and we haven’t said a thing about ourselves. We haven’t admitted our sinfulness to God, but have asked, “Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” At this point in The Lord’s Prayer, we have actually aligned ourselves with God and His principals for us. Conscious of our many faults, we realize the necessity of admitting our transgressions and asking forgiveness, so we can speak to God unhindered. We’ve asked for sustenance and simultaneously have asked for forgiveness, knowing that in His fairness, God would only consider our prayers for sustenance once we have asked His forgiveness from those to whom we have been indebted.

Praying the first part of the prayer, helps us to know how to pray in the second part. The first part acknowledges to whom we are speaking, and it is most certainly to God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Certainly, we can’t live in variance to His will and still ask Him for something, We certainly can’t ask God to forgive us if we can’t forgive those who have sinned against us. This next part of the prayer, is to ask God to prevent us from getting into a situation where we will falter, but be delivered from the Evil One. “Lead us not into temptation,” is to ask God’s help in making us less tempted to act in discordance with His will. “But deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, Forever, and Ever, Amen.” Here, we have admitted our need for willpower to avoid evil. Once we are able to avoid things that are evil, we can be depended upon to make our principals correspond with those descriptive of Heaven.

We must always keep in mind that God is a loving God and that He will listen intently to our prayers, not reluctantly, but with willingness. God listens if we come before Him with genuine love in our heart; that we remember what Jesus said when He gave us the most important commandment of all. It is, “to love your Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself. He gave us this wonderful gift; “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Prayer is not just for the purpose of asking God for things, but to reverence Him, admit our transgressions and ask forgiveness. It should help us to maintain a relationship with Him that would facilitate communication and assurance that God will listen to our prayers. James, who was Jesus’ brother, told us that the fervent prayers of a righteous person would accomplish much. Jesus said we should pray believing, and our prayers would be answered. Still, we must have faith that the prayer is reasonable.

Two of my favourite hymns are, “Teach Me to Pray,” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” After playing them as a medley, I love to play, “Singing I Go,” as it is most appropriate. After the two hymns are played for call to worship, the third is an excellent way to exit from the sanctuary.

Pay Or I Play

An Interesting Coincidence

After church service last Sunday, we stayed for a noon luncheon. It was part of a farewell for our retiring pastor and his wife. My wife and I chose a table near the back, and soon, another couple sat to my left. I was at the end of the table and my wife was to my right. We enjoyed the conversation, and after a while I learned that this lady had an integral part in organizing a Christmas parade each December. It is called, “Christmas on the Peninsula.” Plans have already been made for this year’s parade and it would be led as it has been in three previous years’ parades, by an outstanding pipe band.

Suddenly, she was surprised to recognize me as the piper who played for our Remembrance Day service, and she asked me quizzically, if Christmas carols could be played on the bagpipes. I thought it was a remarkable question, because I’ve heard others ask if “Amazing Grace” is the only hymn one can play on the pipes. I responded, saying, “Of course they can, and I published a book of arrangements for pipers to play Christmas Carols.

The lady seemed astounded. She said the pipe band was invited four times to play in that Christmas parade and never once, played a Christmas Carol. “I’m so glad I met you,” she said, "because I‘m going to ask you to work with me, to provide the music for this pipe band to play in the next Christmas parade.”

Now, wasn’t that remarkable, with over 200 people at the pastor’s farewell dinner, this lady found herself sitting next to The Church Piper! I’m confident that next year, the pipe band will be playing Christmas Carols.

I would be most interested to hear from pipers and drummers who have played in Christmas parades. Would you let others know what Christmas selections you chose for marching? A tune such as, “We Three Kings," which is in 6/8 time, would be wonderful in a Christmas parade, as would, “Joy to the World,” in Common time, or “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” in 4/4. I can imagine the thrill of the people along the way, and for those playing in the pipe band, as these Christmas songs ring out. Let us know your experiences and suggestions.

 Would you say this was an interesting experience, or was it just meant to be? Keith MacDonald, The Church Piper.

Remembrance Day in Canada

In Canada, Remembrance Day is celebrated on November the 11th. Customarily, we respect a moment of silence at 11 AM, to reflect upon the memory of our soldiers who gave their lives so we can enjoy freedom in our beautiful country. Traditionally, a piper plays a lament. There is a silence broken by a reveille by the piper. Military tradition dictates, “The Flowers of the Forest,” as the lament. I regularly played that selection in The Army and Navy Legion Pipes and Drums in Winnipeg. In churches, schools and care homes, other music recognizable to those attending, is generally chosen.

My choice of a hymn for our church service this November, was “Highland Cathedral.” A soloist sang, “I Cannot Tell,” to the melody, “Londonderry Air.” Both were beautiful tributes to our military personnel. This was the Sunday before Remembrance Day. White Rock Baptist Church has excellent acoustics and the music was projected to Heaven. The Surrey Firefighters’ Pipe Band, in British Columbia is the one to which I belong, and our members performed in the morning of November 11th, at the cenotaph. A short parade to the Legion followed, where a program was presented. Having been asked to play at Westminster House for seniors, I didn’t participate with the band. The moment of silence at the home was observed precisely at eleven o’clock. The lament was played a few minutes before, and the reveille after the silence. The lament chosen for this occasion, was “The Lament of the MacDonalds,” because it involved an instance of hostilities not to be forgotten. It is the saddest song I know, and there is no other instrument able to convey the deep emotion like the pipes. “Highland Cathedral” was appropriate for the reveille. There wasn’t a trumpet player, so the piper took both parts in the program.

At Westminster House Seniors’ Home, war veterans were given an opportunity to speak about the branch of service in which they participated and to say something about their experiences. Some were well over 90; both men and women.

The second Seniors’ home, Morgan Place, required a piper for their afternoon service on Remembrance Day, which was convenient. The program was well organized. A Mountie was present in his red serge coat, riding breeches, high leather boots, and Stetson. A lady spoke on the significance of Remembrance Day. Singing and a few comments by residents rounded the program. “Amazing Grace” was requested and the lament was, “Dark Island,” one of the most beautiful and expressive songs I know. A lady said afterwards, that she recognized “Dark Island.” In closing, I played, “Highland Cathedral,” and I marched out with it, along with the Mountie, who looked magnificent and smart, reminding everyone of the considerable training that is typical of the military and our police force.

Our pipe band was enlisted by a local High School, to play for two services of remembrance a few days before the 11th. The school consists of approximately 1600 students, and required two consecutive services to accommodate them all in the auditorium. The band led the color party of students, and also played several numbers. An elderly war veteran spoke at both sessions, and videos showed the horror of wars. Students were most attentive and respectful as they thought of the soldiers who lost their lives. “We remember them,” and pray, that wars will no longer involve our dear sons and daughters, to enable us to live in peace. We are thankful to all who gave their lives for our freedom. I am honored to participate in these sacred remembrance services, to help families remember their dear ones, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sake.

Running in the Rain

The season in British Columbia in fall, can be rainy. Days can also be nice and sunny, but regardless of the weather, sports still continue. Our grandsons are competitive cross country runners, and the last couple of week-ends tested their endurance in the finals. First, the qualifying race for grades 9 and ten, and the following week, the provincials. Jaxon is 15 in grade 10 while his brother, Jeremiah is 13 in grade 8. In his qualifying race, Jaxon won in spite of the rain, and loved trying his sprint at the finish, although it wasn’t necessary.

His younger brother ran with the older boys for the fun of it, and to practice for his own up-coming race. To his satisfaction, he came in 6th. Competitors were a sight at the finish; covered with mud, but they didn’t mind.

The following Saturday, it was pouring rain, and the cross-country provincial race was on in Vancouver, for boys in grades 9 and 10. Jaxon said before and after the race that he loves to run in the rain. There were 226 boys in the group. When they came running down the first grassy stretch, the water was spraying upwards like it does when a bus goes through a puddle. As the group began to stretch out, they came to what seemed like a pond. That didn’t deter them. They plowed through it.

We watched at different points along the course, and it was a delight to see Jaxon building up his lead. His style of running is like he had wheels going round and round.

The last stretch was very exciting because a young runner from Victoria was bound he’d win. He was a sprinter and ‘poured on the coal’ towards the end, but didn’t quite make it. He fell in the mud just before the finish line. What a disappointment for him. Jaxon won the provincials, and it was the result of lots of practice and his ability to run in the rain and love it.

For him, the day wasn’t over, because he still had to play a near-final game of soccer. That was in the rain too. His team is “high performance” and did very well. We were there to watch, and were dressed to keep dry and warm.

A picture of Jaxon, his brother Jeremiah, and their dad, Jim, their coach, was taken by the interviewer and appeared in our newspaper. Julia, the boys’ eleven year old sister would be thinking her brothers were getting considerable publicity. However, about two weeks later, when she and her mother went to see what was happening at the fish hatchery, a news reporter took her picture holding a large salmon. The newspaper published it, to Julia’s delight. She enjoys some of the glory that her brothers have been sharing. We are delighted too.

The Power of Prayer

On Saturday, the 11^th of October, 2015, our Surrey Firefighters’ Pipe Band performed twice and we were very pleased with our success.  The first was for the Raspberry Festival in Ft. Langley.  Later in the day, it was in the Sheraton Hotel in Vancouver, for the Retirement Banquet of Firefighters and for their guests.  We had some concern for the weather at our first engagement, because the forecast was for rain.  However, it didn’t rain, except between engagements, and we were thankful.

At our evening performance, while tuning up, Tricia, one of our excellent lady pipers announced that she was recently diagnosed as having a cancerous tumor on her lung.  It would soon be removed surgically.  She was informed that it wasn’t aggressive.  She would however, require post-surgical medical treatment.  We were considerably stunned by her announcement and assured Tricia that we understood her need for prayer.  We can’t be certain when she will resume her piping and we’ll miss her in the meantime.

We were reminded of Steve’s recent accident, in which he was riding his bicycle and crashed over a ledge.  He broke his neck in three places.  Fortunately, he was given immediate expert care and hopes to be playing his side drum again in approximately three months.  We will pray that he recovers completely, and will be able to carry his tenor drum as easily as before.

We need competent pipers and drummers, and are confronted with these sad occurrences.  We must pray that God will provide healing for Trish and Steve, as well as for some new, competent players.

I believe in the power of prayer and God’s response by answering with a miracle.  When Bert, a dear friend was diagnosed with lung cancer.  His friends prayed for his recovery, when he was dying in the hospital.  Miraculously, Bert recovered and soon after he retired, he went back to university, to earn a Master’s degree in Theology.  He became the senior pastor of a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  I always remember him telling us about his amazing recovery.  He needed a drink of water to continue with his story.  He had been an inveterate smoker, but he certainly is not now. 

Having been a witness to Bert’s story about God’s healing, and to know that he is now striving to serve God, I have faith in the power of prayer, and will pray for healing for both Trish and Steve.  At the same time, I am praying that others who read this blog will be convinced to pray too, for Trish and Steve and also for themselves.  One should also remember to thank God for His loving care and not forget that in everything we do, we should do it as for God, and not for man. 

Renewing the Antiquated

A friend who is a fellow piper sent me an antiquated hymnbook. It’s about 50 years old, and he asked how I’d like to do some transposing and arranging to bring to life these hymns by rewriting them for the Highland bagpipes. Afterwards we could publish and share them with pipers who play in church. I liked the invitation, and yet, when I perused the pages, I realized this was going to be a bigger task than I had ever undertaken in writing music.

The music was written in an old style known as shape-notes, in which the notes were either printed as triangles, circles or squares, with each one mounted on a stem, making them appear not unlike little tulips, with their tails resembling leaves. These were eighth or sixteenth notes. Some had no tails, so they were either whole, half, or quarter notes, This style of writing was once considered useful for choirs, so sopranos, tenors and bases could readily identify their lines.

I began with a hymn I suspected would be the easiest, choosing to follow the triangles, and soon realized this was no ordinary undertaking because there were no beams to organize the notes into 4/4, 6/8, 6/4 or whatever time signature had been chosen. Besides, for bagpipes, the pitch is higher than today’s concert pitch, so the hymns had to be transposed. This would be a major undertaking.

My first approach to the task was to play a few of the hymns on the piano, to get the rhythm, and determine where to place the beams. I rewrote the hymns, following the triangles, transposing the tune into either the key of A or D, whichever was suitable. I realized that I wouldn’t be adding a key signature to the bagpipe notation, because the pipes don’t conform to familiar keys, but to a Pythagorean scale, also called a Myxilodean scale, for which there is no key signature.

Once the music was transposed and transcribed on paper, the embellishments essential to pipe music were added. Because the instrument is played with continual sound, and the notes need to be separated if two adjacent notes are identical, grace notes are an essential part of writing bagpipe music. The best choice of grace notes, doublings, grips and tuorluaths is remarkable in providing expression to the music. This has been an exacting task because embellishments must be chosen so the piper’s fingers will not get tangled up, but will automatically strike the natural embellishments.

Hymns are arranged in this manner, and reviewed days later, to permit a second look and some refinement. Successively more difficult transposing follows, with each hymn being resurrected from the old book where it would have decayed, never to be played. The music was obviously written by a musician gifted with the poetic muse in addition to that for composing, for he wrote two or three verses for each hymn, along with a Chorus.

My friend is an expert in engraving music, and uses the most sophisticated music program. The same program is used to engrave music for the Vancouver and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras as well as for The Church Piper. With the beams slanted according to the melody, sight reading is facilitated.

We are nearing the time when this especially prepared hymnbook for pipers will be ready, and we are longing to complete it for your enjoyment. Meanwhile, I shall write an article on the rules one should abide by when writing music.

A Fundraiser For Mental Health

My Father’s Day on Sunday, June the 21st, 2015, will be remembered as very special for several reasons; one being my participation in the Fundraiser for The Canadian Mental Health Association. I was invited as the piper, to play for a short while for each contingent of a large number of cyclists shortly after they began their tour from Swangard Stadium and through the city of Vancouver. Thousands of cyclists and runners were divided into many categories such as the 60, 20 and 10 km runs.

Their response to my pipe music was quite thrilling as they rode past, giving a thumbs up and waving. One fellow was so entranced by the music of “The Road to the Isles,” that he stopped to perform the Highland Fling. He gave it everything he had and it was wonderful to watch. Then, he continued on his walk. 

It was a beautiful day for dancing, cycling, walking and playing the pipes. I played all sorts of music, remembering it by categories, such as 6/8’s, 4/4’s, well-known Scottish selections and hymn songs. I figured that for those who knew those hymns, they would love hearing them, and for those who were not familiar with hymns, they would nevertheless enjoy them; ones like “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” “Immortal, Invisible,” “To God be the Glory, “and “Take the Name of Jesus With You.”

Our daughter had a Father’s Day Celebration at her house in the afternoon, which included a BBQ luncheon and spontaneous entertainment by one of our grandsons and his soccer buddies. They made the most of a warm, sunny day by wresting on the slippery surface of the trampoline. We were happy to see them conclude their show of strength and agility without accidents. It was very rough!

There was still time in the day to attend a lecture on the Book of Hebrews given by our pastor at our Baptist church, and to have some interesting conversations afterwards with some of our friends who were there. Many wonderful memories will follow this great Father’s Day.   

What is Righteousness?

Would a person be considered pretentious if he or she claimed to be righteous? It is a word that describes a relationship with God. Some would say, I wouldn’t dare claim a relationship at all with God, for God is supreme and perfect and there can be no relationship with God. Another person might say, that is for God to decide, while someone else, who feels a close relationship with God would say, ‘without a doubt, I would describe myself as righteous.

Let us consider what righteousness is. It is definitely a quality to be credited to a person for how well he or she relates to God. One might say a righteous person is honest and avoids actions that would harm or exploit someone else. In the Bible, there are many who related well to God. There was Mary and there was Joseph, the one whose brothers sold him to some Egyptians. Also, there was Moses, and Paul for examples. The word divides the lost and the saved. In actuality, however, that definition is faulty because there is the question of how good a person must be to be righteous. The Pharisees said they prayed at least twice a week. Jesus, however, wasn’t impressed. Giving His life for the sake of being the sacrifice to God for the sins of all mankind, He was the only righteous person and He made it possible for anyone else to become righteous by accepting His sacrificial life as if it was that person’s own. Otherwise, it is impossible to know when a sufficient number of good deeds has been done to earn a relationship with God.

The only way to become righteous is by our trust in God. Righteousness is imputed or imparted to us. When our trust is in Jesus, perfect righteousness is imparted or credited to our account and it is a gift. Whether it is imputed or imparted, once a person has an implicit trust in God, he is made righteous. It requires believing that his or her sins have been forgiven by Christ’s sacrificial death and His resurrection.

There is a very good reason why I am mentioning this, for it is the relationship a piper must hold with God, for his or her music to be of significance when called upon to play for sacred engagements. This point was especially acknowledged by me one beautiful sunny, warm afternoon as I was playing at a funeral service in the cemetery. The family of the deceased person was gathered around the grave as the coffin was about to be lowered, and it was just after I had been looking into the clear blue sky, watching birds flying here and there, and I was thinking of God’s eternity as I played. I looked and caught the eye of a young lady who I think was the daughter of the deceased father. She nodded to me, indicating that the music was meaningful to her. I nodded back that I understood how the music touched one’s heart. I thought, I am actually the go-between person carrying her message of thanks to God, for the years she experienced her dad’s love. At the same time, I was carrying God’s love and His sympathy back to her and her family by my pipe music. I sensed that I had to be a clean vessel through which to carry that message.

I remember reading in the Bible that God isn’t inclined to listen to someone who doesn’t love Him. I located that Scripture recently, and it says, “But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59: 2 So, God won’t even hear our playing if we don’t know Him. Why would He? 

I realize more than ever, that it would be presumptuous for a piper who did not know Christ, to accept engagements to play for any event that should require knowing God personally, for without that relationship, his or her music would not even be heard by God.               

Generally, it’s a Pleasure

Generally, when I’m invited to play my pipes for a special occasion, I’m happy to oblige. I’ve played for many weddings, celebrations of life, banquets and church services. For most, I’ve been paid to provide the service. For others, I’ve elected not to charge. I wouldn’t charge for playing call to worship at church, and I certainly would not set a fee for any close friend or relative. I understand that when a person pays for something, he or she expects to receive quality for the money spent, and similarly, I feel obliged to provide quality, whether it is to play in a head table, or play for a wedding or funeral service. It’s a different story when a piper is invited to play in the head table and advised there is no fee offered but he or she may sit down to dinner. One will not be properly appreciated. What doesn’t cost anything to accept, cannot be fully appreciated. Nor can the giver think how much satisfaction there is in giving.

Quite often, I’ve not charged for piping, and I’ve always had a good feeling when providing the service, because I’ve played for close friends and relatives. I felt great about being asked, and yet not expecting payment. It would be my gift to the newly married couple or to the bereaved family, if they were friends of mine. The situation was different recently, for I was asked to play in the head table and join the group for dinner. I would rather play well, and leave the group to its own associates, than be an extra person at the banquet. I questioned the organizer of this banquet, who represented quite an influential social organization, whether or not there would be a cocktail hour before dinner, where members could buy a drink. I was informed that there would be. I asked if those spirits were more important than enlisting the services of a piper and was informed that no, they were considered separately. I replied that I consider remuneration for the piping as important as the refreshments before the meal. Would they consider the piper?

The response to my request was that they have never paid for the services of a piper and didn’t wish to start now. I concluded the conversation was finished. The organization carried on without a piper. A drab sort of commencement. Pomp and ceremony attached to the banquet was lost.

If the organization, on the other hand, was just starting up and needed a piper, and could not afford his services, I certainly would have been glad to help out. It was entirely different, however, when members would be buying their cocktails before dinner, expecting free piping, not allowing for showing their appreciation for the piper’s well-practiced music and his attention to appropriate dress for the occasion.

Memorial at the Mission

One of our pipers assists at the Surrey Mission. After band practice, he announced that one of the regular attenders at the Mission, an elderly man named Doug, had died, and that there would be a memorial service in his memory. He planned to participate by playing a hymn on the pipes in Doug’s memory, and would anyone like to accompany him?

Immediately, our pipe-major volunteered, as well as another two pipers. I quickly responded. When we arrived on the Monday afternoon, the four of us in our kilted outfits were gratefully welcomed. Each piper’s kilt was of his own tartan.

Many who were associated with the Mission, told of their friendships with Doug, and that as rough a person as he seemed to be on the outside, he still had a kind heart and a humorous side which everyone liked. It was an interesting story when someone told of him hiding an amount of ice-cream behind other articles in the refrigerator, and then finding a time when he could share it with his friends, and receive the credit for his thoughtfulness.

A minister who knew Doug, gave a beautiful eulogy and others spoke of his friendship. Then, we played, “Amazing Grace,” and the Negro spiritual, “Goin’ Home.” It was really beautiful.

Afterwards, we were thanked by the lady in charge, and told how much our contribution of music meant to everyone. It was particularly touching for each of us as pipers, that in remembering Doug, who was everyone’s friend, we had gained immeasurably ourselves, strengthening the bond of friendship for the four of us, and for the other bandsmen who weren't able to be there. They could appreciate that our effort was also made by the band's Memorial at the Mission.

I Believe in Miracles

Much could be missed in one’s life by not being aware of a miracle happening.  I experienced this recently.  I went to McDonald’s restaurant to meet a group of men from our church for a coffee on Tuesday morning, as is our custom.  I was a bit later than the rest, and found there were about 15 already present.  The only vacant chair was directly across the table from a new fellow, and a conversation soon followed to know something about him.

I introduced myself; Keith MacDonald, and he gave me his name.  I learned that he had been a farmer along with his brother, and that they realized that with a better education they would be in a position to apply for other positions.  So, he studied at university and graduated with a major in education and a minor in music.  He taught school for a number of years, played various musical instruments with a Gospel-singing group, and sold life insurance.

That is when I asked the new fellow the name of the company with which he sold insurance, and he said it was The Mutual Life.  Naturally, I responded, saying, “My dad was a salesman for the same company and that he was given the position of manager in the Winnipeg office.”  Of course, that aroused his curiosity and he wanted to hear my dad’s name.  Immediately, one could almost see or hear the cogs turning in his head.

He answered that he had met my dad, and that he had heard very good reports about his work with the company.  In fact, he said, I understand that I am related to him.  “My wife is the daughter of your mother’s brother, Sam.  That would make you a direct cousin of my wife, and because she is your first cousin, I am indirectly, your cousin too.”

We were invited to their place the next evening and had a grand visit.  His wife knew my sisters, and that my brother Ken, and I were doctors.  The dear lady said she was so sorry when my youngest sister, Margaret died.  It was uncanny to hear her call her by name, and the other members of our family as well.  She mentioned each one of my mother’s twelve siblings by name, and told us what she remembered about her aunt Eunice, my mother.  A picture was produced of my grandparents.  Mum’s mother was holding her baby daughter, who was my mother.  Her older sister was standing beside their father.

We will continue our new friendship, which will be easy, as we consider that we are first of all part of the family of God, and secondly, part of the ever-widening family that has encompassed the MacDonald family and theirs.

The astonishing part of this story is that as it was explained to our daughter and her family, they suddenly realized that our own grandchildren, they themselves, have been attending school with the grandchildren of our new-found relatives.  They are “blown away” with the realization that they are cousins of their fellow students.  Fortunately, they are already good friends.

As I reflect upon our meeting at McDonald’s, I see the perfect set-up for the miracle, in that the only vacant chair amongst that group of 15 men, was the one directly opposite the new fellow, who was my unknown cousin.   

A Short Break from Band Practice

It’s just a week since I had back surgery in the Pain Clinic in Vancouver.  For six months, I had needed it although I hadn’t realized my condition was that serious.  I suffered sincere pain in my right ankle, my shin, and thigh and across my lower back that made walking so difficult that at times I was actually crawling.  Numerous friends had recommended what had helped for them.  I tried a physiotherapist who was an expert in acupuncture, then afterwards I went several times to a chiropractor.  It became obvious that their treatments did not address the source of my problem, so we decided wisely, to visit our family doctor who could orchestrate the tests leading to a diagnosis.  That was wise indeed, for I had spinal stenosis, or pinching of the sciatic nerve.  The apertures through which this nerve passed through the vertebrae had narrowed over the years, and the nerve was being severely pinched. The associated pain was making it impossible to walk in a straight line.  This was a problem at pipe band practice and piping engagements.

When one is familiar with our health care system and its long waiting periods, it’s easy to understand that it would be an eternity before I could be helped to any degree at all.  An appointment to have an MRI done, would require about six months, and for surgery, another eighteen months.  An appointment was made for the MRI, and I would certainly have to suffer during the wait and then afterwards, for surgery. 

Ruby, my wife, decided it was appropriate to pray and ask God to intervene.  She did so, and was inspired to phone the hospital receptionist to suggest if there just so happened to be a postponement, would she give us a call, because we would be free to come in anytime.  We continued in prayer, and in a few minutes the phone rang.  We were asked if we could come in an hour for the MRI.  That was our answer to prayer. 

Within days of the test, our doctor requested an appointment in which he could discuss the results from this valuable test.  He outlined the problem and the solution…to take the necessary medication and wait approximately a year and a half for the medical system to find a time for back surgery, or to elect for surgery at a private pain clinic for which a large fee would be required and surgery could be performed in a week.

Our solution to the problem was of necessity, to decide upon surgery at the private clinic.  An appointment was made with the pain specialist, for the next week, with a subsequent appointment to see the neurosurgeon the following week, to evaluate the need for surgery.   Surgery was then set for a week.

The surgery was performed at 12:30 in the afternoon.  At 3:00 I was in a wheelchair and whisked out to our son-in-law’s car, and driven home to White Rock, to recuperate, which I am doing presently.  Tomorrow, I will have the metal staples removed by our own family doctor.  One can hardly believe the improvement.  Of course, I have to wait patiently for entire healing, but I can appreciate the freedom from pain in this short time, and the improvement in getting up or lying down.  Two small H-shaped wedges, each known as a DIAM, were inserted between adjoining vertebrae, to separate them sufficiently to free the sciatic nerve and eliminate the pinching that was causing referred pain along the course of the sciatic nerve. 

The decision to have surgery done immediately was wise in that I can continue living a normal active life, rather than wasting years waiting for the health system to accommodate my need.  And, I would not be requiring continued medication during which time I would be developing a dependence for it.  I’m looking forward to my return to band practice and accepting invitations to pipe for an occasional wedding or memorial service.

Beautiful While It Lasted

Ruby, my wife, happened to be the driver this day, and she decided it would be well to stop at the grocery store for a few articles.  She left me with the keys and I decided this would be a good time to sit back and relax and listen to my new disc.  It was the Scots Guards military brass and pipe bands playing alternately.  I turned the volume up to a nice comfortable level and was thoroughly enjoying the music, which soon lulled me off to sleep with its soothing music.  It was about 20 minutes before Ruby returned.

I was abruptly awakened because the music suddenly stopped.  Ruby had reached in and turned off the key.  She said, “How could you sleep with all that noise?”  I said, “It was easy.”

Then, Ruby turned the key to start the engine and there was only a clicking sound.  There was no need to panic, however.  I quickly realized that the Lord would come to our rescue.  So I asked Ruby to release the hood and trunk latches.  I got the cable jumpers, then opened the hood.  I connected the cable jumpers and thoughtfully draped them over the engine and down the right side of the car in the direction of the neat pick-up truck next to us. 

I waited only a few moments, and a young fellow appeared.  The first thing he did, was to raise his hood and begin connecting my cables to his battery.  I didn't even need to ask him, because it was obvious that I needed a boost.

Soon our motor was running perfectly, and that’s when I told the young fellow what had happened.  I said, “I was only having a good listen to the Scots Guards playing their military music.  The Brass Band alternated with the Pipes and Drums".  “Ah yes,” he said.  “That will do it every time.  It would take a lot of juice to play that music.”

After seeing that Ruby got home, I drove to Canadian tire.  A new battery was installed in half an hour.  The desk clerk asked how it was that my battery ran dry and I explained that I had only been listening to my CD playing the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums and the Brass Band.  He said he understood perfectly, “because that would require an extra mount of power.”  He was just one more person who understood the need for more juice in the battery for that kind of beautiful music. 

Next time, when I listen to those bands, I will assure that the motor is running just to be sure there will be enough juice in the battery.  Actually, I should listen to them in the quiet of my own home, because I’m likely to fall asleep again.   

A Wonderful Quotation

"The Old Celts knew, that of all the sounds that mankind could make, only the pipes could be heard in both worlds."

That is a wonderful acknowledgement, and I can witness to it as a fact. Imagine playing for the family that’s standing beside their pastor, beside the grave, and you are playing “God be With You, ‘Til We Meet Again,” as the family’s last tribute to their beloved family member.

Your pipes are singing, and actually speaking those words, and you look up at the clear blue sky and see the birds flying around. Then you look at the family standing there, and you catch the eye of one of the ladies, and you can’t help but nod at her and she at you, both sensing communion with God in prayer. God is not only listening, but He is responding with His love. Your pipes are singing words of assurance. The dear persons standing at the grave can be assured that God is with their deceased loved person, until they all meet again in His presence, and even afterwards.

I've known this for some time, and it helps me to draw the best message of a Christian song from the pipes.