Clan Campbell Music

A few notes

  • Bagpipes have been played throughout the world. The Highland pipes are but one of many types
  • The Highland pipes were played during battles to incite the warriors. From this, they are also known as the "great Highland warpipes."
  • The classical style of piping is known as Piobaireachd
  • Highland pipes have two tenor drones and one bass drone.
  • There are only nine notes on a pipe chanter.
  • The common expression is that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. In truth, the fiddle had yet to be invented. It is said that he actually was playing bagpipes.

The original instrument of the Gael was the clarsach, or "Celtic harp." It was to accompaniment by the clarsach that the seanachies would recite their stories in the halls of the Chiefs. But the instrument that most people connect with Scots heritage is the bagpipes. While bellows driven pipes are traditional in northern England and the lowlands of Scotland, it is the great Highland pipes that are played when on parade and which have a place in the history of the clans. To the clans, these were also known as the great "Highland warpipes," as they were played to incite warriors during battle.

Animated piper graphic.Clans and prominent families had their own pipers, usually a hereditary position for members of a specific family. Most notable were the MacCrimmons, hereditary pipers to the Macleods of Dunvegan.

The Campbells were no different. A family of Campbells were hereditary pipers to the Campbells of Mochaster. The progenitor of this family of Campbells is said to have been sent to study with Patrick òg MacCrimmon himself

The music most closely associated with the Highland pipes is Piobaireachd, or classical pipe music. Piobaireachd is referred to as Cèol Mòr, or "great music." While the pipe tunes with which more people are familiar are referred to as Cèol Beag, or "little music."

Laments, salutes, and gatherings are most common in Piobaireachd, all commemorating specific events. Piobaireachd does not follow a tempo, but is expressed by note duration and following developing themes. It is unlike any other music in existence.

Clan Campbell has a wealth of music associated with the clan. What follows is but a short listing:

  • Cruinneachadh Sil Diarmid, or Cruinneachadh nan Caimbeulach, Clan Campbell's Gathering. The gathering tune of the clan.
  • Failte Mharcuis Earragaidheal, The Marquis of Argyll's Salute. In honor of Archibald, 8thEarl and 1stMarquis of Argyll, head of the Covenanting party.
  • Cumha 'Marcus, The Marquis Lament
  • The Marquis of Lorne's Salute, in honor of Ian Douglas Campbell, 11thDuke
  • Tigh Bròinein, House of the Miserly One, a piper's response to Campbell of Barbreck's hospitality
  • The Glendaruel Highlanders , in honor of Campbell of Glendaruel, commander of the Argyllshire Volunteers. The tune was passed along to their successors the 8thBattalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders as their march past.
  • Bodaich nam Briogais, the Carles with the Brigis(Old men with the trews), or Breadalbane's Salute. Written to commemorate a route and in disdain of the Sinclairs. The Breadalbane Campbells wore the kilt while the Sinclairs wore trews.
  • Argyle is my Name, Captain Campbell of Drumvuick's quickstep, Captain Campbell's March, Lady Elizabeth Campbell's Reel, all may be found in David Glen's Collection of pipe tunes.
  • C. Campbell of Cawdor's Saluteand L. MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbert's Salute, found in Ceòl Mòr.
  • Baile Inneraora, the Town of Inveraray. Most commonly known as The Campbells are Coming.

The Campbells Are Coming

No tune is more associated with the clan than The Campbells Are Coming, the words of which are said to have been composed about the Jacobite uprising of 1715. The Gaelic name of the tune is Baile Ionaraora (the town of Inveraray) and the words in the Gaelic reflect the feelings of the piper-composer who apparently was less than enamored with the hospitality he experienced as the piper at a local wedding:

Bha mi air banais am Baile Ionaraora,
Bha mi air banais am Baile Ionaraora,
Bha mi air banais am Baile IIonaraora,
Banais na bochdainn 's gun oirr' ach am maorach.

I was at a wedding in the town of Inveraray,
I was at a wedding in the town of Inveraray,
I was at a wedding in the town of Inveraray,
Most wretched of weddings, with nothing but shellfish.

However, these are the words normally associated with the tune.

The Campbells are coming Hoo-Ra, Hoo-Ra!
The Campbells are coming Hoo-Ra, Hoo-Ra!
The Campbells are coming to bonnie LochLeven
The Campbells are coming Hoo-Ra, Hoo-Ra!

Upon the Lomonds I lay, I lay,
Upon the Lomonds I lay, I lay,
I lookit down to bonnie Lochleven
And saw three perches play-hay-hay!

The Great Argyll he goes before,
He makes the cannons and guns to roar,
With sound o'trumpet, pipe and drum,
The Campbells are coming, Hoo-Ra, Hoo-Ra!

The Campbells they are a' in arms,
Their loyal faith and truth to show,
With banners rattling in the wind,
The Campbells are coming Hoo-Ra, Hoo-Ra!