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[Elly]

Not a song, but this makes me laugh so much.  Is that an emotion? 

[Aileen]

Hi All,

Oh dear, there are probably loads for me. My Dad's favourite hymn was How Great Thou Art. I loved it too. However, more than ten years after he died I still can't hear it without getting really upset. We've done it at church, obviously, a few times, and I always think 'you will NOT cry', but I always do.

With me being such a big fan of Cliff Richard, and very proud of it too, there are a few of Cliff's I associate with friends, family and special times. One of his that makes me emotional is The Best Of Me, a single from 1989. I was adopted by my parents, and somehow this one, without even meaning to, captures what I hope I was able to give back to the people I regard as my parents, because they brought me up, looked after me, waited outside operating theatres for me, that sort of stuff.

I don't know if any of you ever saw the TV series Band Of Brothers, a few years back. I don't quite know why, but the theme music to that really chokes me. Nimrod by Elgar gets me as well. Another piece that gets me every Remembrance Day is Flowers Of The Forest. It's those pipes again Aileen!

My favourite hymn, or should I say metrical psalm because I'm Church of Scotland, is the well-known 23rd Pslam, "The Lord's My Shepherd".  The words are simple and so is the music that goes with them.  I'm not a particularly religious person, yet this does do something for me - and I remember in the days following 9/11 I kept picking the notes out on the piano, although I'm not really sure why - maybe it was some sort of comfort in trying to comprehend the terrible events which happened.  It's certainly very popular at funerals.  In fact I'm having it at mine - just that, and nothing else.

As for Elgar's Nimrod - that really gets me going too, and when it's played at Remembrance Day services, I'm done, and that goes for Flowers of the Forest as well.

It don't know if you know the history behind Flowers of the Forest, but both the words and the music were composed as a lament to the thousands of Scottish youth, including most of her nobility and her King (hence the 'flowers') - who died at the  Battle of Flodden in 1513, in what was undoubtedly Scotland's darkest hour.

The tune is regarded by pipers as being sacred and should only ever be played to commemorate the fallen, although it does sometimes get played at funerals regardless.  In fact I understand that it's so sacred that even when a piper is being taught to play it, or is practising it, that this should be done in private. 

[Littlebuddha]

I remember I had only been in Australia a short time. I was in Melbourne and the police pipe band was playing
I got very emotional and started to cry. The pipes are great and can touch the soul of all Scots in must be inbred. It also stirs the heart and is great music. Perhaps only Scots do appreciate the pipes.

[Grabcopy]

Please don't tell me you like this song.

[Elly]

Please don't tell me you like this song.

I do, as it happens.  It's sort of 'haunting'.  However, I shall banish it to Room 101 on the back of your unrequited love. 

[Littlebuddha]

I love Karen Matheson she has a beautiful voice. She is singing in Gaelic the song is from the film Rob Roy it is called Ailein Duinn. She is singing it With Donald Shaw. It can be found on You Tube. I also love the salms sung without any music the harmonies are wonderful and so inspiring. Many on MW may never have heard Gaelic it is a beautiful language for singing I hope you will listen and enjoy.

[Littlebuddha]

Elly I can't speak Gaelic but I love her singing she has a beautiful clear voice it makes me feel emotional too.