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Píobaire, An, Volume 4, Issue 41, Page 24

Píobaire, An, Volume 4, Issue 41, Page 24
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periodical Publisher
Na Píobairí Uilleann
periodical Editor
Chairman, NPU
periodical Title
Píobaire, An
volume Number
4
issue Content
24Those who minister to amusement areeverywhere popular characters, andfully as much so in Ireland as othercountries. Here, amongst the people at large,no sort of person is more kindly regarded thanthe wandering fiddler or piper, two classes ofartists who may be said to have the wholebusiness of keeping Paddy in good humourupon their shoulders. The piper is especially afavourite in the primitive provinces ofMunster and Connaught. In Leinster they arenot so common; and in the north may bedescribed as rare, though I am not sure butthat, for this reason, they are welcome inUlster as in the other provinces, their notesproducing an impression which is agreeablein proportion to their novelty.Of course it is natural that there should exist astriking resemblance between the respectivehabits and modes of life which characterisethe fiddler and piper. For this reason, indescribing the piper, I shall take leave to usethe same terms which I lately employed inanother place in describing the fiddle, chang-ing only the names of the instrument and themusician. The piper is a being peculiarly free from care,especially if he is blind, which he generally is.His want of sight circumscribes his otherwants, and, whilst it diminishes his enjoy-ments, not only renders him unconscious oftheir loss, but gives a greater zest to those thatare left to him, simple and innocent as theyare. He is in truth a man whose lot is happilycast, and whose lines have fallen in pleasantplaces. The phase of life which is presented tohim, and in which he moves, is one of inno-cent mirth and harmless enjoyment.Marriages, weddings, dances and merrymak-ings of all descriptions, create the atmosphereof mirth and happiness which he everbreathes. With the dark designs, the crimes,and outrages of mankind, he has nothing todo, and his light spirit is never depressed bytheir influence. Indeed, he may be said withtruth to pass through none but the festivals oflife, to hear nothing but mirth, to feel nothingbut kindness, and to communicate nothing buthappiness to all around him. He is at once thesource and the centre of all good and friendlyfeelings. By him the aged man forgets hisyears, and is agreeably cheated back to youth;the labourer snatches a pleasant moment fromhis toil; and is happy; the care-worn ceases toremember the anxieties that press him down;the boy is enraptured with delight, and thechild is charmed with a pleasure that he feelsto be wonderful.Surely such a man is important, as filling upwith enjoyment so many of painful pauses inhuman misery. He is a thousand times betterthan a politician, and is a true philosopherwithout knowing it. Every man is his friend,unless a rival piper; and he is friend to everyman, with the same exception. Every housetoo, every heart, and every hand, is open tohim; he never knows what it is to want a bed,a dinner, or a shilling. And what more, it maybe asked, can the cravings of the human heartdesire!~ Seanchas ~William Carleton on Blind Pipers
issue Number
41
page Number
24
periodical Author
[Periodical]
issue Publication Date
2007-07-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

Píobaire, An, Volume 4, Issue 41

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