The Bagpiper Of Union Square

There has been, probably since the economy fell apart, a bagpiper who busks around Union Square. I have only seen him once, but I hear him every day. Because I live in an extremely sweltry apartment I keep all the windows open throughout the winter, and am thus treated to his daily routine, which seems to involve piping three songs, taking a break, moving to another area of the park, and playing those songs again. The process repeats itself about four times a day, creating a bizarre stereophonic effect where it seems like the music is on repeat and coming from a different speaker each time. As to the songs: One of them is “When the Saints Go Marching In.” One of them is unrecognizable to me. The third is “Amazing Grace.” And that’s the one that sticks in my head for the rest of the day. I am a fan of “Amazing Grace.” I appreciate its power. I enjoyed that Bill Moyers documentary about of many years back. And yet… there is something about standing in your kitchen in the evening, when the dark has settled in, and suddenly being treated to an unsolicited mental performance of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes — even though no one is actually performing it — as night is coming on and you’ve nothing to do but stare at the wall and let its bleating cadences play out that makes one hate “Amazing Grace,” the bagpipes, New York City and pretty much everything. I try to handle it by drinking myself blind, and then I see. Anyway, yes, it’s all rather glamorous. Thanks for listening.