What's with the Irish bagpipe music at cop funerals?

Question

What if the deceased is Italian, or Jewish?

Answer 1

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The tradition of bagpipes played at police funerals in the United States goes back more than 150 years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances).

In the 1800’s, Irish immigrants faced massive discrimination. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted -- jobs that were dirty, dangerous, or both -- like firefighters and police officers.

Anyone who has been to a funeral where bagpipes play knows how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. Before long, families and friends of non-Irish cops and firefighters began asking for the piper to play for their fallen heroes. The pipes add a special air and dignity to the solemn occasion.

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Asker's Comment:

thanx

Answer 2

Maybe because most of them are of Irish desent like the fire men that went into the twin towers.

Answer 3

It's called a tradition.

Answer 4

The bagpipes are actually Scottish. The Irish type is pumped with the arm and is smaller.

Source(s):

http://www.bagpipestore.net/?referrer=ov…
http://www.uilleann.com/

Answer 5

bagpipes are scottish.

Answer 6

The pipes you nromally see are the Great Highland Bagpipe. Very few play the Irish Pipes although there are some sets around. (The pipes you see with the bellows under the arm are Uilliean pipes and are NOT played at funerals..most often in the pub.)
They are played at firefighter and police funerals because the Irish and Scottish immigrants took the jobs on the fire dept. and police dept because they were the few jobs open to them. The tradition of having the pipes played at their funerals continue today.
I once played for a black firefighter's funeral. Afterwards his family thanked me saying that the pipes weren't a part ot their culture per se, they really appreciated having the pipes played at the funerall...very appropriate in their eyes.

Source(s):

29 yrs piping

Answer 7

Amazing Grace. It transcends all cultures and is not culture specific. All appreciate it as what else are you going to play? It is still western culture as Roman culture is western culture. Jewish culture is different but...... many appreciate and come from the same.

I have been to several military funerals. It does not matter who you are as you can be the toughest guy on the planet...... you stand there trying to keep a tear in.

Police, military or any agency. It means a life and people who honor it......