Friday 23 September 2011

Gonnae No Dae That



In New Zealand Rugby World Cup organisers have banned the playing of bagpipes, purportedly because of the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. I ask the New Zealanders to gonnae no dae that.

Scotland play Argentina on Sunday and this ludicrous decision needs to be reversed by then.  What New Zealanders don't appear to understand is that the skirl of the pipes is what motivates our handsome, exquisite thighed team and withdrawing bagpipes will be like withdrawing water.

There are many examples of the haunting bagpipe music around but this one, of the four tenors singing within the walls of the Coliseum, is a fine example of how other countries embrace the little piece of Scottish culture.

So Kiwis, waken up.  So much of your heritage is due to Scots who decided to move half way round the world. If the ban goes ahead I've been informed thousands of Scotland supporters will wave homemade placards depicting bagpipes and an unlimited number of Kiwi pipe bands will surround the area on Sunday.  Now that would be a sight to behold - for a Scot anyway.

12 comments:

J. R. Tomlin said...

Absolutely stunning. I have a new twitter hashtag for your use. #kiwisbeingdumb

RMcGeddon said...

Is 'skirl' not a derogatory term SR ? Meaning the pipes are screeching and out of tune ? Maybe they're scared in case the pipes start another earthquake.
You might have to update your Tory leadership poll. Labour TV mentioned another candidate tonight. Didn't recognise the name. Margaret someone I think.

J. R. Tomlin said...

Skirl is not derogatory. It is the correct term for the sound made by a chanter pipe. :-)

RMcGeddon said...

J.R. ..

You could be right. But I've always been told it's when the pipes are out of tune.
Found this...

http://www.themacleods.net/qanda/skmqa113.htm

J. R. Tomlin said...

God knows, I could be wrong. I'm just going by what I've been told and read. Here:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/skirl

I'm often wrong about Scottish words.

By the way, I just read in The Herald that there are 8500 Scottish Tories. Are there REALLY that many of them? I would have guessed far fewer. :)

subrosa said...

Thank you Jeanne. Good idea, I'll use it tomorrow on Twitter.

subrosa said...

RM, are you tone deaf? Goodness me, skirl is proper Scots and the description of the sound of bagpipes, whether played expertly or not. :)

Aye I noticed that. Saw her picture on the news. Don't think I can update it though.

subrosa said...

Well said Jeanne. No you're not wrong because it's not a derogatory term as far as I know.

I live in an area which has a high Tory electorate so yes, I would have thought there were at least that number around.

RMcGeddon said...

Two women against one bloke ?
Ok I love to listen to the skirl of the pipes. Brings a tear tae a gless een.

Clarinda said...

My father was a highly respected and champion piper, teacher and judge - and always railed at those who used the word skirl to describe pipe music. Skirl is the description and unpleasant result of a poorly played note, the correct term is the 'sound' of the pipes ... never the skirl.
Although, when played in the heat of battle, the sound of the pipes may well have carried an unpleasant foreboding for the enemy?

RMcGeddon said...

Well said Clarinda. Good comment ;)

subrosa said...

Having been a devoted follower of a certain famous youth pipe band for some years, it was never mentioned the word skirl was derogatory Clarinda. The pipe major referred to the high pitched notes as a skirl but they weren't necessarily badly played.

However I bow to your superior knowledge.

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