Scottish Repertoire

Celtic Songs

Bagpipe Tutorials

Practice Chanter

The origin of this tune and its title is uncertain:

- sailor's music intended to make bears dance,
- melody originating from America, also designating the black-haired cap of the British regiments (feather bonnet),
- as “The Black Baird” = the black beard of the fighters,
- as “The Black Bere”, or black barley which designated a variety of beer...
- and why not, since we evoke the music of sailors, a reference to the famous pirate Blackbeard and his impressive black beard?

In any case, this melody may have served as support for a dance (Hornpipe) before being used as a regimental march.

It is thus played by the pipe-bands, in particular as a sequel to Scotland The Brave.

Lyrics were later attached to the original air under the title The Tunes Of Glory.

The Tunes Of Glory
(Grant/Stewart)

Now when the pipes are ringing and the kilts are swinging
And your heart is singing as you gaily march along
You hear the story that is brave and roary
In the tunes of glory of an old Scots song

If you’re standing near them and you ever hear them
You will want to cheer them as you feel the glory there
The music fills you and the drum beat wills you
And the rythm thrills you of the old black bear

Brave are the orders we carry before us
Brave are the hearts that will lift in the chorus
Hear them playing, hear them saying
That is the story in the tunes of glory

If you’re standing near them and you ever hear them
You will want to cheer them as you feel the glory there
The music fills you and the drum beat wills you
And the rythm thrills you of the old black bear

Brave are the orders we carry before us
Brave are the hearts that will lift in the chorus
Hear them playing, hear them saying
That is the story in the tunes of glory

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THE BLACK BEAR

MARCH

- score by Eric Maclewis with CelticPipes