Sgt. Mackenzie: Bagpipe

Live Performance of "Sgt. Mackenzie" by the Dark Isle Piper
#SlowAirSunday

Tune History:
This tune is a Lament written by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie in memory of his Great Grandfather, Charles Stuart MacKenzie, who was killed in combat in WW1. Sgt. MacKenzie served with the Seaforth Highlanders from the Elgin-Rothes area in Moray Scotland. Charles stood his ground and fought defending one of his badly injured fellow soldiers during a hand to hand trench warfare from bayonet wounds.

"The inspiration came after Joseph's wife Christine passed away from cancer. In his grief he looked at his Great Grandfathers portrait that sat on his mantel place and asked him how he found strength to go on. It was then in Joseph's mind he could see his Great Grandfather lying on the Battlefield and he wondered what his Great Grandfathers last thoughts were as a he lay dying on the battlefield. Then the words and the music came into Joseph's head.
At that moment Joseph felt that anyone prepared to Stand their ground and fight for their loved ones and for their country deserve to be remembered, respected and honored.

This tune was released on an album called: "Tried and True" in 2000. A copy of the tune made it's way into the hands of Hollywood director Randall Wallace and Actor Mel Gibson. The two directors decided that "Sgt. MacKenzie" should feature in their upcoming movie, "We Were Soldiers"

Lyrics:

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears
Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me
Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

www.darkislepiper.com

Filmed by: Tress Maksimuk
Equipment: iphone 8
Filmed: Covina Hills