This Friday past I was asked to play the pipes and fly the Tri Colour at a funeral service for an old Fenian..I did this at the church and then we went to the crematorium.I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do there so I bought the flag and the pipes in with me.I placed the pipes down in a corner,as it happens there was background music playing so I just did the flag bit.As we left the chapel there was rather a large crowd of mourners for the next customer.Some of them gave me rather hostile looks and I thought it must be grief.It was only as I was driving away that I saw them put on their Orange Order Sashes.That was considerate of them and it also explained the worried looks on the undertakers faces.
All passed well.
A few hours later when I got home I opened the car boot...no pipes...I had left them at the crem...back I went fearing the worst.
When I got there the funeral in progress was a full blown Salvation Army affair with brass band flags etc etc...I had to get in there quick before they did .To my utter relief the assistant told me that the pipes were safe in a side room.
The whole thing seemed surreal to me as I drove home but I couldn't help thinking that perhaps some kind wee soul in the Orange Order found them and handed them in.Thats what I like to think and God Bless whoever it was.
