Hew Morrison Collection > Piobaireachd

128 Piobaireachd : its Origin and Construction
out the efforts of others. Ossian was born a poet and could not help composing his
poems, and when he was inspired on many unexpected occasions and in peculiar
places, he must have had to get his pen and write down his best specimens of Celtic
lyre and poetic thought. From Celtic Scotia's greatest poet (Ossian) and ancient
Caledonia's greatest creators of Ceol Mor (the MacCrimmons), I would suggest
why piobaireachd composition should not be opened to competition.
Ossian had a reason for composing all his poems, and a mere reward was not
his goal. The MacCrimmons composed their best Themes with variations to com-
memorate occasions in everyday Ufe, and nothing could lure them to look upon
their compositions in a competitive light. By doing so both Ossian as a poet and
the MacCrimmons as composers of piobaireachd held themselves as supreme, and
for that reason they have always been looked upon as masters who have never been
excelled in their profession.
One has only to look down the long classified hst of piobaireachd given here to
see and prove what I have said in this direction. There was a reason for composing
all tunes, and every Theme tells its own story to those who can understand it.
If a competition were got up for the composition of piobaireachd, then the piper
would be composing for the sake of a prize alone, and the classical music of the Great
Highland Bagpipe would lose its ancient characteristic grandeur. Such tunes
would have no histories ; no origin other than the greed of gain, and Ceol Mor proper
would be a doomed art.
If the composition of ancient piobaireachd is to be revived and fostered as it
was in the beginning, the desire to compose original tunes must come from the heart
of the creator for the pure love of the art alone. Then we will find Themes to com-
memorate what has happened on special occasions ; to perpetuate the memory of
the departed Chieftain ; to record great deeds of valour in the hour of battle, when
our Highland armies fear no foe ; and where the Celtic minstrel sounds the triumphant
charge 'mid the cries of victory and the cannon's deadly roar.
Great and memorable occasions still arise which make a claim on us as patriotic
performers of the ancient Highland Warpipe, to create a new Theme as an expression
of joy or sorrow, and if the average piper finds no charm in the newer Themes to
enchant his soul, then let him repair to his Ceol Mor and play the Lament for the
fathers of piobaireachd, " Cha till MacCruimein."