The traditional Scottish tribal band, Clanadonia, stood before a crowd of people. They had three drummers and two bagpipe players. The drummers started off by tapping the side of their instruments with their sticks.
They are dressed in kilts and warm clothing, playing a song called ‘Ya Bassa.’ After a few moments, the bagpipes join in the song. A difficult instrument to play, requiring powerful lungs and deft fingers.
Only about a minute in do the drummers start beating on the drum. It is a deep and loud sound that fills the air with the vibrations of war.
The bearded gentleman in the center then shouts, counting them down. Then the song speeds up as all the musicians start to play harder and faster.
‘Ya Bassa,’ comes from the ancient Gaelic war cry “aigh bas,” which means “battle and die.” The man in the center dances, swaying his hips as he plays the drum hanging by his waist.
While it is a song meant originally for battle, it is also a jolly song that invigorates and excites. You can see the band members as they simply have fun playing the song.
They end the song all on the same beat and note. The audience watching gives them a hearty clap as the band members don’t even appear to be winded by their energetic performance.