Black Watch Pipes & Drums at The White House - 13 November 1963

Motion picture of a special performance by members of the Black Watch Band, a Scottish regiment on tour in the United States. President John F. Kennedy and Major Wingate Gray, leader of the Black Watch, make remarks.
A number of area school children were invited to the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C., to witness the performance. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr., Joan Kennedy, and Patricia Kennedy Lawford also attend.

[@avrildear2715]

That’s my Dad. He was the regimental Drum Major at the time

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

That is just the best, wonderful, how proud you must be.

[@jamesrodden.1008]

Roy Dear… my brother was a side drummer there .

[@matthewboyle2263]

You should be very proud of your dad ❤

[@avrildear2715]

@@matthewboyle2263 I am although I lost him a long time ago. He was a gentleman and a fabulous dad.

[@avrildear2715]

@@KeithWilliamMacHendry I am very proud and miss so much even after more that 25 years.

[@tinahamilton9058]

I wish to God he had been protected by the Black Watch. And then they played for his funeral, at Mrs. Kennedy's request. They came back on the 50th Anniversary. They are spectacular. I'm grateful they were there for him. through the years.

[@stephengreerii8678]

Long live the Blackwatch.

[@gailshea2294]

My son, Jim Shea who played the Pipes took us, me, his mom, my mom, his sister, Maureen to see The Black Watch in Champaign-Urbana, IL at the University of Illinois! Unfortunately I cannot recall the year, but then I'm 82 now. I love the bagpipe. He still plays tunes for me on his chanter. 💕🥰We try to do it nightly around 8pm. 👍

[@TexasLonghornsHookem]

A beautiful performance by the highly respected and admired Black Watch at the White House. May our two countries remain friends forever!

[@SimonGardiner-bj3pq]

"First Allies - Firmest Friends" God Bless America

[@libertylovingbeckles6797]

Where have all the good presidents gone? God bless the Black Watch forever. Y'all are heros and don't get enough recognition

[@ChrisCaldwellO66]

The Black Watch is very honorable and were done dirty by England. When they were established, England told them they would never be sent abroad to fight and were to defend only on UK soil. England reneged on the deal and forced them to fight overseas time and time again. Doesn't surprise me one bit though. England has done Scotland a great injustice for centuries.

[@obvious-troll]

@@ChrisCaldwellO66 I bet the Black Watch arent complaining after you look at their vast array of battle honours

[@billymccann7272]

To heaven, the rest hell awaits

[@guyfustec4551]

Argyllshirhiglander

[@charliereader3462]

⁠@@ChrisCaldwellO66yes, Scotland was so reluctant to take part in building the empire. Those evil English forced them to participate as enthusiastically as they did. The SNP and Mel Gibson have really done a number on you haven’t they pal

[@thomascannan1033]

4:15 JFK: "The motto of the Black Watch is: No one wounds us with impunity." Just 9 days before his assassination. R.I.P. JFK

[@johnf.kennedy6129]

Rip me

[@brucelarson5434]

Sad, just 9 days before the assassination. I had the pleasure of seeing the Black Watch perform at the Seattle Center in the `90s. Hearing them play made the hairs in my neck stand up. Most moving. I shared that evening with my late wife who was Scots.

[@johntyfleming4581]

The pipes can sure stirr the emotions like no other,,happy and sad at same time , i wish you well

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

My sympathies for the loss of of your dear wife Bruce. 🙏🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸💙❤️

[@gertvanniekerk46]

As an Afrikaner I always had great respect for the Scots And their pipe bands that drove our family to, or close to tears! My Poem from my book- The Blades are high the Lances strait, Where they sit and wait, Sharp and clear the bugle blow, "Charge down the foe", When they gallop back, we ask who they are, "That is the Scottish of the Third Hussar" Poem by Gert van Niekerk from my book in process 'Kaapse Rebel-Anglo Boere Oorlog'.(Anglo Boer War)

[@brucebartup6161]

*_Disused Bases_* Who will recall for us our lost companions, in their beauty, pride and love? None but the solitary Corporal Heron is on parade. His one legged guard's a mockery of last stands; Of red brim hatted staffer Golden Eagle; Whose glory could equal his command.'s "No one, no-one"" says Duty sargeant Song Thrush 2nd Loo Coyote supports the call "None, none; none, none; none none.; none; none." th' unnumbr'd Privates Bison Their cavalry divisins near wiped out in former wars. "They are forgot!!!" alarms the Bugler Sparrow Capt. Racoon yelps "Turn out the guard" But from the guard house there comes only silence No order given as no one heard. No one will recall our lost companions Their pride and beauty doomed to die On batleffield or lucky home for veterans Mem'ries fall like leaves , and there they lie Only the old airmen wlll renmber spewcifcics cf a place and time The jokes we told and how we did our duty, , In moments touched by the divine. yours hunlyy a Brit civiliabn. #PParkinonnss ssorr for te ttyypos

[@wolfeinhorn4661]

I am American with Afrikaner roots.

[@dylancampbell6695]

I rember my papa telling me he was a piper there and at the funeral made me wanna join black watch still in it to this day 11 years serving so far

[@davidhodgkinson8446]

My Dad was in the Black Watch in WW2.

[@rleitros9378]

No autocue, no notes, full intelligible sentences. Ah, where have the years gone,?

[@alvindurochermtl]

The classic liberal arts education, oratory skills, proper grammar, logic, the way of the world, and people. Today, it's all about STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Bunch of technocrats with shiny gadgets but no sense of history, respect, culture, the human mind and behaviour. They think regurgitating buzzwords willy-nilly like misogyny and toxicity means respect towards humanity. Philistines.

[@johntyfleming4581]

Tis a well versed description is it not?

[@gordonpeden6234]

See Bozo Joe Biden?

[@663rainmaker]

Families Matter! Incredible History and Incredible People who made it Possible for our USA 🇺🇸 and Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@lindashaffer5675]

...and to think our Beloved JFK was gone a month later, such a tragedy!

[@CasperDunning]

22 days after this film the regiment would be back in DC for JFKs funeral.

[@graemedurie9094]

Indeed.

[@felipesants8936]

SO SAD DAY

[@compazine]

You mean only nine members -- not the full regiment -- would be back in DC for the funeral. Jackie knew that the optics of having an entire foreign regiment of bagpipe players in addition to the already present USAF regiment of bagpipers would have looked incredibly indulgent. Thus she invited only 9 members of this regiment back to the funeral.

[@martinfendley1352]

*CORRECTION* It will only be 12 days until they return for The President's final procession. TRULY THE DAY AMERICA CHANGED.

[@Tourist1967]

Alongside Officer Cadets from Óglaigh na hÉireann, who formed the honour guard.

[@funkychunkgaming9738]

I love watching these videos not inky because of my Scottish Heritage but also to watch the flourishing techniques used by the Tenor Drummers

[@sean367]

Look up Tyler Fry to see it today

[@christygum3384]

Just stumbled upon this and it breaks my heart. I was 10 years old, all these years later it still hurts.🇺🇸💔

[@fulgencedelloh8678]

RT et les les maisons maisons 5ttttrt5ttrtttttt5rt5tttttr5ttt5tttr5ttrt5ttr55ttt5ttttttttttttttttttttttt5ttttt5tt

[@gemoftheocean]

Me either, I knew this event had happened, and had seen a few stills, but never knew this footage existed.

[@edwardhanson3664]

I was 13.

[@REDDOG2023]

it also breaks my heart im 82 yrs old and look at the shit we have in white house now i hang my head in shame but know i saw the good days i worry about my great gran children

[@REDDOG2023]

kennedy wasn't perfect but look what we have now god help us

[@lynneproudfoot3624]

A time of innocence. Assassins And their destruction weren’t dreamed of. The Black Watch Pipe and Drums what an Honor to hear them

[@dotmurphy7279]

That's because it had been so long since an assassination had occurred. We can't forget any of our history in order to keep it from repeating.

[@j.d.peppmeier9041]

A very belated thank you to the British ! No one does it better !

[@johntyfleming4581]

Aye mabye but the english cannae play the pipes like the scots or the irish for that matter , you stae safe n be well

[@beast4517]

@@johntyfleming4581 we also don’t wear a skirt as good as a Scotsman.

[@jamestheman1962]

@@beast4517 That is correct ye do not wear any thing as good as us,not even yer pride

[@Arm4G3doN]

@@jamestheman1962 it’s a good thing we’ve maintained our hold on the majority of the power on this little Island then

[@jamestheman1962]

@@Arm4G3doN Is it?

[@davidwemyss7303]

An honor for my Father's clan, people & ancestral land. To this day, we were born fighting for liberty...

[@richardcleveland8549]

Amazing; a wonderful performance, and a wonderfully diverse audience. And, yes, nine days before Dallas; none of us who were cognizant of affairs will ever forget that day. Thank you for posting this poignant video.

[@chrisabbot2478]

Don't know how I have stumbled on this incredible piece of historical footage all the more poignant by the date just a week or so before the assassination of JFK. The band of the Black Watch, the Highland dancers and the little Kennedy children along with the awestruck crowds enjoying the spectacle. Really like stepping into a time machine and being there. Superb and slightly sad at the same time...a time long gone.

[@josefrancis7126]

YOU GOT IT RIGHT U TUBE I A TIME MACHINE/ RIGHT FROM VAD YAHIM NARRATING THE HOLOCAUT TORIE

[@northernlad9424]

12 days later they’d be playing at his funeral, truly prophetic & so so sad😔

[@jacobkeppler1984]

Regimental band and pipes and drums of the black watch royal highland regiment 💂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@rmac8378]

More like “🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 God save the queen, rule Britannia🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧”

[@santander57]

I was there! I was in grade school at Holy Trinity in Georgetown. Holy Trinity was the Kennedy's parish church. The school was invited to the White House often. We sat in bleachers in front of the West Wing side. I remember it getting colder as the dusk came. And in two weeks, it colder and darker indeed.

[@jocktamson6493]

My uncle was there in the band.

[@marthaellendudrow6367]

@@jocktamson6493 Some 13 years later I had privilege of meeting some of them, incl. some who played that day and the President's funeral; when the Black Watch was here for the Bicentennial. It was beyond thrilling!

[@avrildear2715]

My Dad was the Drum Major that day. Much love, pride and so missed. He was a lovely Dad and a real gentleman x

[@boblarkin2331]

Very sad knowing what we would loose a week later and all these years later we still mourn

[@mikeoneill4914]

Incredible to think the great man was taking from us 9 days later,,

[@barefoofDr]

The first time that i heard the pipes was a day or two before this . When the Black Watch performed in Knoxville, Tennessee and I have loved the pipes ever since.

[@andas129]

this is chilling

[@gaudd]

The regiment my family served in for three wars. Four if you count Malaya, which no one ever does.

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

What a great performance by an incredibly talented and well turned out Black Watch Band. I truly love the pipes, but the final brass simultaneous rendition of Auld Lang Syne and the last post was just amazing.

[@stevewright4576]

A wonderful speech, jfk was a great president.

[@maconescotland8996]

Old Joe Kennendy was great friends of the Calder family (distilling and brewing) and JFK visited their Perthshire estates not long before before WW2 where he learned grouse shooting.

[@maryfehrenbach9893]

Just why does this bring me to tears? No other music effects me like this! I'm of the new rock and roll era that I loved but this? Just blown away like nothing ever!

[@jimg6698]

I’m Scott/ Irish with a mix of Czech and French. Right now with what’s going on over here in the states, I feel more Scott/Irish than American!!

[@ahorsewithnoname643]

A single 't' in Scot. Scott is a name not a nationality.

[@johntyfleming4581]

@@ahorsewithnoname643 Sat rite pal n dinnae call a scot scotch for sure thats a wee dram

[@gray3553]

your always welcome to come home brother .

[@jozatexan1964]

Was in high school. Love watching their feet. Every step is so precise.

[@slm3913]

Thank you for posting. As a Scot American this is just a wae hae Scots.

[@maryguy9013]

omg It is 2022 I have just discovered this footage of President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline I was just out of high school and remember this very well I am now in my 70's and this has brought tears to my eyes Oh so long ago and far away but it is as fresh in my mind now as it was in 1963 RIP Jack and Jackie 9 days before he was cruelly assassinated.

[@patriot4786]

Those sounds once echoed through the US a hundred of years before

[@ChrisCaldwellO66]

Twice. Revolution and 1812

[@patriot4786]

@@ChrisCaldwellO66 yep

[@truthbetold8380]

I was 7 and I still remember as if it was yesterday!

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

As a Pitlochry lad, a Perthshire lad, the home of the Black Watch, a proud Scottish regiment that fought & still do as warrior's. 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@ianmacewan9416]

And mostly at the beck and call of a foreign country.

[@pjmoseley243]

Nice place Pitlochry

[@pjmoseley243]

@@ianmacewan9416 Not a kind remark to make, there is a difference between what you said and an allie is a difference

[@ianmacewan9416]

@@pjmoseley243 Kindness has nothing to do with the truth and facts. Facts like a whole brigade of Black Watch being left behind in France on the orders of Churchill orders while English regiments scuttled off in little boats leaving a trail of sewage behind them. Just a fact. Rephrase your last sentence because it is unintelligible.

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

@@ianmacewan9416 Don't be daft Ian, there were other regiments holding the line. Churchill loved the Scottish regiments, in particular the Gordon Highlanders.

[@colin10ten83]

Brilliant performance by a great regiment, which no longer has it's Military Band, just the Pipe Band.

[@pathfinderfergusfilms6630]

Wow... what a piece of history. Those were days when we all shared the same thoughts and embraced our joint culture. What do we have today? Well time goes on.

[@johnmunro4952]

Christ this has brought tears to my eyes. JFK really was the leader of the free world.

[@berylslocombe7122]

That was my granddads army I love scotland so much

[@keithlordofalbascotland3371]

And we're all very fond of you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😁🥃

[@berylslocombe7122]

@@keithlordofalbascotland3371. Thank you very much

[@jeremybolwell1283]

A high water mark in the history of the 20th century.

[@jaden0019]

Tis never a good thing when the Black Watch drops by for a visit bearing a message from Parliament. The Black Watch will give you the blues. R.I.P President Kennedy.

[@theslayeryt9863]

I like the Scottish regiment pipes and drums band of the Black Watch

[@Chris-zr4yj]

We have always missed him!!

[@janetleishman3776]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Just a short time before the tragedy in Dallas. Was in high school when I heard the news brought everyone to their knees and crying.

[@community1949]

Every single person was dressed up for this, acted with civility, and that is the way our society was back then. Oh how I miss that because once it's gone you cannot get it back.

[@driggsbaylon4655]

🛒☔🦋🔥Not true abt civility!

[@philipcrawford7339]

Tradition, Honor, and real Pride on Display....

[@keithhartl389]

This makes me cry.

[@clairebunt5887]

My dad was there he was a piper in the black watch i was always proud of my dar ❤❤

[@maryfehrenbach9893]

Just look at how that drummer twirls his sticks as in every other pipes and drum group! Just so beyond beyond.

[@dhall058]

Thank you for posting this very good quality and stirring video!

[@lindashaffer5675]

So happy to be reminded of a happier time, when we had class in the WH, namely, the last administration

[@patricialewis1464]

Can’t get over how well groomed and dressed everyone was - not a tracksuit or baseball hat in sight

[@garydufton3510]

Good lord what a Scottish accent our Major has......{teasing}. Top regiment. Top soldiers.

[@johntyfleming4581]

Aye was wunderin that masel. lol

[@jfelton4153]

@@johntyfleming4581 - me tae.

[@andrewpark6223]

Alot of the Scots upper class and aristocracy are and were sent to boarding school in England, hence the accent. The Queen mother was a Scot and came from an old Scots family but sounded entirely English.

[@johntyfleming4581]

@@andrewpark6223 that may well but there ws also a study into folk who lost their born accents who were judged to be of weak character many years ago , ?

[@alpearson9158]

@@andrewpark6223 would disagree as I could always hear the brogue when she spoke

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Now 2021, but never forget my President Kennedy and family.

[@marionparton662]

Oh, this breaks my heart!

[@inyobill]

I believe I caught them on this tour on their visit to San Diego. A thill for me, I don't mind saying.

[@Sacco_E_Vancetti_Boston_1927]

Was für eine große Freude. Pipes and drums and the honorable Black Watch. Und dann noch die Kennedy's. JFK wollte Gutes für die Menschen erreichen. Ich heule in mein Taschentuch. Thank you very much, vielen lieben Dank. KM from Vienna

[@dennisesplin3285]

RIP Stewart Esplin Canadian Black Watch 2nd Battle Ypres 1915.

[@dennisesplin3285]

Thanks. Stewart had emigrated to Canada. Returned with CBW to WW1. My dad was in BW. Stewart named on Arbroath Black Watch memorial. Respect.

[@reymohammed7040]

We did not know how short a time was left.

[@raginroadrunner]

The Black Watch is my adopted Scottish Regiment.

[@edsmall1902]

I pray to God that John F Kennedy will be among those dancing with joy and triumph in God's presence, not unlike the Highland Dancers seen here on display. May his murderers be allowed by the Great and Mighty President to observe the dance as they watch in reverent awe. May it shame their very souls and cause them to bow in deep humility to the Lamb who is seated at the right hand of Power.

[@robertanderson9878]

God bless them one and all!

[@jmccallion2394]

Sad to think that the shining light of Camalot would be soon extinguished!

[@carolanncesare7170]

The President’s favorite tune was “ Mist On The Mountain “

[@Dad_Life_Marine_Vet]

My Grandad was in the Black Watch in the Mid to Late 50's

[@billdavidson3519]

Dear Sirs; Thank you for this wonderful video. Sincerely

[@Valhalla88888]

Apoears of the 45 American presidents 34 have Scottish ancestry not bad for a country of 5.4m then again America has close to 23m Americans with either Scots or Scots Irish ancestry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@sabineherzog6270]

Where are all the goods Presidents gone .. RIP John F.Kennedy..🙏

[@robertbeckmann3355]

I was thrilled as a boy when the Blackn Watch came and was so buoyed by their return at JFK's funeral cortage.. I cry every time I see them.

[@nathanstevens6820]

Brilliant

[@gryhze]

60 years today.

[@garymcatear822]

4:21 someone seemed to get huckled away.

[@josephmcgrathmusic6362]

Amazing

[@Jake-xe4cv]

Awesome performance. Hard to keep step on grass, but not a tick-tock in sight,,, Wa saw the 42nd!

[@oggie1967]

My dad was in the Black Watch and got the chance to go with the band to play the pipes but at the last minute he was posted to Cyprus to go fight the eyoka terrorists! Poor show!😬🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@JamesSmith-ij3jb]

Thats my dad, he was the regimental drum major at the time.

[@thecurlew7403]

Little did President kennedy know they be playing at his funeral in a few days.😢😢

[@iankrest3035]

Our greatest president

[@edwardhanson3664]

My President

[@hmybritannia]

It’s incredible because this was 9 days till he was killed.

[@wendykinnear8194]

I wasn't even born then, I was in my Mum's tummy!

[@tomzeeh6618]

Wow! And so sad.

[@stevemeinecke]

Wow, just to think that he be gone 😒 weeks later on Nov 22nd, 1963

[@phyllispetras3369]

Never ever saw this.

[@pjmoseley243]

who is watching and listening to this 11/11/2023

[@charliesmith4072]

Nine days to live...

[@moiragaffney7269]

Am Scottish

[@spidos1000]

@10.20 you can tell why the Black Watch have a fearsome reputation!

[@jamesmcleesh2688]

AS AN ELDERLY INFANTRY SOLDIER ( British) 30 yrs. PROUD SERVICE . THE SOUND OF A PIPER PLAYING A TUNE AS WE ADVANCED INTO ATTACK STIRRED THE BLOOD MAKING US ADVANCE FEARLESSLY YET PUTTING THE FEAR OF GOD INTO THE ENEMY. THE PIPER WAS USUALLY UNARMED. BRAVE MEN ALL OF THEM.

[@maryfehrenbach9893]

Have to say once they added the pipes...horns....or whatever I was lost.

[@harrybuik9763]

I remember this on BBC TV it could have been panorama and the news just before president Kennedy was killed about a week later which was one of the biggest shocks in life so sad 😞 😔

[@LindsayMunro-j1s]

My Dad was in the Black watch in WW1

[@bryantsmith2323]

What the first tune played by the Black Watch pipes and drums?

[@gripsandbirls]

The slow march is the Highland Cradle Song, and the return to quick march is The Men of Argyll.

[@bryantsmith2323]

Thank you for responding to my comment.

[@johnharvey7672]

It's the Black Bear and the Highland Laddie. Traditional coming home tunes for Highland Regiments

[@jonrichie6110]

@@johnharvey7672 Thats not The Black Bear.

[@adamsmith6849]

Interesting that the ending tattoo piece is LAST POST....how ironic

[@ninathesman4084]

Unbelievable to watch. He had nine days. 😔

[@factanonverba6169]

Sadly no more, now the Royal Regiment of Scotland

[@crowflight719]

Its very sad that President Kennedy died 9 days after this show on the White House lawn.

[@janeafterfroman]

The British fought against us TWICE, my goodness, Brookline schools?

[@jamesmcleesh2688]

THERE'S ALWAYS A THIRD TIME.

[@Andy-ScotsIrish-TheGAEL.]

Well the first time was more a civil war technically so war of 1812 was when it was USA vs britian. Where as the revolutionary war USA was founded after the war, so that war was different if it makes sense.

[@cavalier1649]

@@Andy-ScotsIrish-TheGAEL. The regiment wasn't in North America in 1812.

[@Andy-ScotsIrish-TheGAEL.]

@@cavalier1649 I didn't say anything about any regiment? I just said it was USA vs Britian. As Canada at the time wasn't independent, therefore by default it's British.

[@Andy-ScotsIrish-TheGAEL.]

@@cavalier1649 respect tho Sir isaac Brock a Canadian legend who showed them Yankee boys 😉

[@charmninglam440]

Have they been there in1812?