KENTVILLE, N.S. — Ed Coleman turns to his bagpipes to express what he struggles to put into words after the recent mass killings in Nova Scotia.
He’s dedicating one of his original compositions to the loved ones of the 22 victims killed in the 13-hour rampage that started in Portapique, Colchester County the evening of April 18.
Coleman’s tune is called “Portapique - A Lament for the Fallen.”
“A lot of people are lamenting, and that’s going to help them lament,” he said. “Great sadness, that’s the theme of this one.”
The North Kentville resident often turns to music as a form of expression. He started playing bagpipes in the 1950s after jumping at the opportunity to learn from the pipe band at nearby Camp Aldershot.
“Music has always been a part of our life,” he said, noting his parents encouraged him to learn multiple instruments in his younger years.
He’s composed several bagpipe tunes, and says the Portapique piece started running through his mind while he was watching the news coverage and hearing updates on the tragic events.
“It just came to me,” he said.
Coleman hopes other pipers throughout Nova Scotia, and maybe even Canada, will learn how to play the lament dedicated to Portapique and those left hurting in the wake of the senseless acts of violence.
“It’s not a difficult tune,” he said.
He’s happy to make the composition available to anyone interested in playing “Portapique - A Lament for the Fallen.” Email [email protected] to request a copy.
