European music, prior to Arab influence, which came primarily through involvement in the Crusades, was largely sacred and monophonic in nature. Sacred music, in the form of Gregorian chants, probably accompanied religious services for the proclamation of a crusade, or the stirring rhetoric for the recruitment of knights by Pope Urban II and Saint Bernard de Clairvaux. Plainsong chant featured almost exclusively in worship. All sacred music was written and performed by priests and monks. Chants and prayers for a favorable outcome probably also preceded some military operations in the Holy Land.

A military band of some sort accompanied the Christian armies, and may have given the signal to commence an attack upon the enemy. The band also joined victory celebrations with resounding trumpet music. It is said that our modern military "pass in review" ceremony is a carry-over from these times. During the attack, the military band was reported to issue a hideous cacophony of sound which reverberated from the hills, put wild birds and animals to flight, and struck terror in the enemy camps (Histoires des Croisades, M. Michaud, 5th Edition, 1838, Paris).

The Priory Pipe Major, Chev. Dr. Peter L. Heineman - GOTJ, has composed two bagpipe tunes for the Priory of St. James.  The first is a processional for Priory events.  The second, Knights of the Temple, commemorates the Knights who fell during the Crusades in the Holy Land.

Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo Da Glorium
Not unto us, O Lord, Not unto us, But to Thy Name Be Glory Given  Psalm 115