Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

240
THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
Several piobrachds originated in the '45, as
one by Cliiny's piper, who composed it during
the battle of Falkirk, which is yet well known.
In playing a piobrachd the •'urlar"or ground
work tlieme, generally in common time, is first
played, followed by the " siubhal " or variation,
of which there is most usually a doubling and
often a trebling, the time quickening, and the
last being generally termed "Taorluidh " or fast
movement, the " iirlar," like a chorus, is then
repeated, and variation second commences.
The second variation has both doubling and
trebling, after which is the "iirlar," and then
the third variation with its doubling, trebling,
and closing strain. Lastly, the fourth variation,
which has only a doubling, and the repetition of
the " iirlar " leads to the " crunluatli " or round,
quick, and yielding movement, which has its
doubling, ti-ebling, and quadrupling, the latter
part in I time, being the quickest of all runnings,
extending through sixty-four bars, the piece
closing with the opening strain additional. Of
jiiobrachds, Cogadh na Kith (peace or war), Craicj
EalachaiJh (or the Grants' Gathering), and Creag
dtihli (the Gathering of Clan Chattan), are among
the best known. The "gathering" of my own
clan is now known by the local words which
begin Ca 'Gletiefnati (Gather, Glennochty), and
seems the air which has been appropriated to
the " Locheil's Warning " of Campbell. There
is also tlie Forbes's march Catli Ghlinn Earairin.
Of salutes, Faille Phriotinsa, composed by
John Maclntyre, piper to Menzies of Menzies,
on the landing of King James in 1715, and a
similar one on the landing of "bonnie Prince
Charlie " at Moidart in 1745, are among the best
com))ositions, and I had the pleasure of hearing
the Queen's piper (James Camj)bell) play the
Faille Flirionnsa at the recent anniversary
Dinner of the Highland Society of London, on
the 21st of March last year.
Among the most beautiful and pathetic of
laments may be mentioned Cumha Jt/liic a'
Arisaig or " The Macintosh's Lament," " Locli-
aber no more," "The Flowers of the Forest,"
" The Land o' the Leal," and " The Chieftains,"
to which words are sung on the unfortunate
death of the Colonel of Glengarry's regiment,
who fell in the streets of Falkirk after the
victory, by the accidental discharge of the gun
of one of Clan Ranald's men.
In the mystic domain of romance, the bagpi]ie
has no other musical rival except it lie the harp.
Perhaps one of the most interesting of romantic
legends is that of the ancient and celebrated pi))e
in the possession of the 'chief of Clan Chattan.
known as the Feadan Dub/i or Black Chanter.
It is carefully treasured at Cluny Castle in
Badenoch, and on its possession the prosperity
of the House of Cluny is said to depend. It is
said that its original fell from Heaven during
the clan battle fought between the Macphersons
and Davidsons in the presence of King Robert
the III., his Queen and nobles, on the North
Inch of Perth in 1396, and that being made of
chrystiil, it was broken by the fall, and the
existing one made in facsimile.
There is another tradition connected with
this " Black Chanter " which is said to have
possessed some supernatural charm or virtue.
Three Macdonalds of Glencoe liad on one occasion
taken a creach (cattle-lifting) from Strathspey,
but were overtaken by a strong party of the
Grants near Aviemore, when they thought
themselves out of danger ; and, while asleep,
the two elder Macdonalds were surprised and
bound, but the younger escaped to the woods.
The Grants, on their return home, stopped about
two miles from the place, and while they were
refreshing and enjoying themselves in ai)parent
security, the three dauntless heroes, who had
recovered themselves and come together, attacked
their enemies, dirk and claymore, driving them
clean off with confusion, killing seven, and
wounding sixteen, and rescuing the whole of the
cattle. The Laird of Grant, highly vexed at
the shameful conduct of his men, compelled them
for three successive Sundays to walk round the
church in the presence of all the clan, carrying
wooden swords, suspended by straw ropes,
exclaiming, " We are the cowards that disgrace-
fully ran away." The whole clan were much
disheartened by this affair, and to reanimate
them the chief sent to Cluny for the loan of the
Feadan. BubJi, whose notes could infallibly
rouse every latent spark of valour. Cluny is
said to have lent it without hesitation, saying
his men stood in no need of it. It remained
with the Grants until 1822, when Grant of
Glenmoriston presented it to Ewen Macpherson
of Cluny, the then chief.
In the words of Mrs. Ogilvy's poem —
" Proud music ! by shame or dishonour ne'er
daunted,
By murmur of orphan, by widowed despair,
The fall of thy country, thy spell diaenchanted.
With the last of the Stuarts it vanished in air.
Yet rouse thee from slumber. Black Chanter of
Chattan,
Send forth a strong blast of defiance once more,
On the flesh of thycbildren the vulture doth fatten.
And sodden with blood are the sands of Lahore.
As tierce as the tiger that prowls in the forest.
Those sons of the Orient leap to the plain.
But the blade striketh vainly wherever thoi
warrest, —
Black Chanter of Chattan, bestir thee again !
END OF VOLUME V.