Friday, July 23, 2010

The Bagpiper


As a Bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and notice the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together.

When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that afore and I've beena putting in Septic Tanks for twenty years!"

Apparently I'm still lost....
.
.

11 comments:

Weezer said...

Oh, no you didn't!! Are you going to be one of THOSE guys....where I never know what to expect?!
As I was reading, I was remembering all the military services I've attended over the years where that lone bagpipe echoed through the silence and stillness. I'm a military 'brat' and worked myself for the army years back as a civilian.
The last of your little tale didn't take away from my memories. I'll bet you're a real card in real life. So far, you're reminding me of my ol' retired dad and brother.

Ragtop lady said...

Loved it!!!

Matty said...

Once again, you gave me a good laugh.

Burfica said...

wow what a shitty post. hahahaha

Barb said...

Hee,hee

Sarge Charlie said...

now that's funny, i don't care who you are

Miss Em said...

Can you say, "OPPS".

Lickety Splitter said...

You had me for two seconds there. I was all like ... awwww ... is there anything that man doesn't volunteer to do?

Funny funny funny!

Ed said...

HA!

That blows!

Kimberly said...

LOL!

Snowbrush said...

""I never seen nothin' like that afore and I've beena putting in Septic Tanks for twenty years!"

I hope you told him that you would only be too happy to play at the burial of a septic tank, but that no one ever asked you too.