TRADITION: trivia - A highlight of the massed bands in Glengarry is the playing of ‘Amazing Grace’ by 1500 pipers.
The ‘massed bands‘ during the closing ceremonies of a Highland Games, is where every piper and drummer from every band competing, marches the field together and plays in unison for the crowd.
The lyrics of ’Amazing Grace’ were written as a hymn in 1772 by English preacher and slave trader and later abolitionist, John Newton.
In the mid-1830s, the lyrics for Newton’s hymn were merged with the melody from ‘New Britain‘. A folk hymn or a sacred melody that existed in some form of oral tradition prior to being written down.
In 1835 the new song was included in William Walker’s ‘The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion‘ one of the first ‘tune books’ to become widely popular in the American Deep South and one of the first ‘shape-note books‘ to be sold nationally.
The song was first 'professionally' recorded in 1922 and since then has been recorded more than 7,000 times.
In 1971 Judy Collins version of ’Amazing Grace’ reached #5 on the United Kingdom charts and #15 on the American charts.
In 1972 Pipe Major James Pryde and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards released an album entitled ‘Farewell to the Greys’, selling over 7 million copies. On that album there is an arrangement of ’Amazing Grace’. This recording of the song ended up charting higher than Collins‘s version, topping at #11 in America and #1 in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
Since the early 70’s the tune has been played by pipers and pipe bands and has become deeply connected to Highland Games in many parts of the world.
From funerals, concerts, or during the closing ceremonies such as the annual tradition in the Glengarry Highland Games. For many throughout the world, it would be hard to imagine the present day Scottish Identity without the song.
for more information about the documentary TRADITION: A STORY FROM GLENGARRY or how to help/donate click the link below.
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