Memorial Day Picnic

Last Monday we performed at our church's Memorial Day picnic. As you can see in the second picture, this was our first time out with our new banner. We hope to use it in an upcoming parade this Saturday in our town of Elizabeth.

Star Spangled Banner 

(by Francis Scott Key, 4th verse)

Oh, thus be it ever when freeman shall stand

Between their loved home and war’s desolation;

Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land,

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto, “In God is our trust.”

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave

While the land of the free is the home of the brave.

-Peter Bringe
 Memor!

Chester

The first song that many fifers and drummers learn is Chester. Chester was used somewhat of a "national anthem" (although they would not of used the word "national") as it was played at least in the Continental army for opening and closing ceremonies and official functions. Here are the words:

Chester 

by William Billings

Let tyrants shake their iron rods, 

And Slav'ry clank her galling chains. 

We fear them not, we trust in God. 

New Columbia's God forever reigns. 

Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton, too, 

With Prescott and Cornwallis joined, 

Together plot our overthrow, 

In one infernal league combined. 

When God inspired us for the fight, 

Their ranks were broke, their lines were forced, 

Their ships were shattered in our sight, 

Or swiftly driven from our coast. 

The foe comes on with haughty stride, 

Our troops advance with martial noise; 

Their vet'rans flee before our youth, 

And gen'rals yield to beardless boys. 

What grateful off'ring shall we bring, 

What shall we render to the Lord? 

Loud hallelujahs let us sing, 

And praise his name on ev'ry chord! 

-Peter Bringe

  Memor!

History of Fife and Drum Music

Below is a link to a fine article on the history of use of fife and drum done by the Kentish Guards F&DC. I'm sorry that I am just linking to articles and not writing them, but its hard to spend the time when there are already good articles out there. Hopefully this is still helpful.

Here is the link: http://www.kentishguards.org/fifendrumhistory.htm

-Peter Bringe
Memor!

P. S. I take issue with the first sentance, but the rest is great.

The Drum of Bunker Hill

Here is an interesting story of a drum that was captured at the battle of Bunker Hill from the book "American Drums of War" by George Carroll:

"The English lad who carried the drum when the British made their first attack on Breed's Hill was shot down by the first volley from the Continental trenches, and the drum itself riddled with bullets. After the second assault, and while the Redcoats were being rallied for their third and successful assault, one of the Rhode Island soldiers climbed over the entrenchments and brought back the drum. When the American ammunition failed and the defenders were driven from the trenches by the British, the drum was carried in retreat over Charleston Neck, and safely brought into the American camp. Whether the original captor had been slain, or [what other arrangement made] is somewhat obscure, but the Rhode Islanders finally drew lots for the drum. The lucky chance fell to Levi Smith, drummer-boy of the Rhode Island Regiment, who had followed General Nathaniel Greene to Massachusetts. On his first furlough he took the drum home to Providence, repaired it, and then carried it through the balance of his service in the Revolution."

After the war the drum was eventually passed down to Levi's oldest son, Israel. When the War of 1812 came around Israel marched off to war like his father, carrying the same drum that had drummed for and against the British before. A great story of muti-generational honor. Reminds me of the following song:

The Sword of Bunker Hill

He lay upon his dying bed;
His eyes were growing dim,
When with a feeble voice he called
His weeping son to him:
Weep not, my boy! The vet'ran said,
I bow to Heav'ns high will,
But quickly from yon antlers bring
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
But quickly from yon antlers bring
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

The sword was brought, the soldier's eye
Lit with a sudden flame;
And as he grasped the ancient blade,
He murmured Warren's name;
Then said My boy, I leave you gold
But what is richer still,
I leave you, mark me, mark me now,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
I leave you, mark me, mark me now,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

Twas on that dread immortal day,
I dared the Briton's hand,
A captain raised this blade on me
I tore it from his hand;
And while the glorious battle raged,
It lighted freedom's will
For, boy, the God of freedom bless'd
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
For, boy, the God of freedom bless'd
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

O keep the sword, his accents broke
A smile and he was dead;
His wrinkled hand still grasped the blade
Upon that dying bed.
The son is gone; the sword remains,
It's glory growing still;
And eighty millions bless the sire,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
And eighty millions bless the sire,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

-William Ross Wallace

-Peter Bringe

 Memor!

War of 1812 in the Missouri Territory

As the Western Plains Fife and Drum Corps we try to portray the fifes and drums of the militia particularly of the Missouri Territorial Militia of the War of 1812. Here is a great website on the War of 1812 in the Missouri Territory that I have found helpful and easy to use: http://www.1812missouriterritory.com/  I especially like the part labeled the "St. Louis Theater of the War". This was as close as the fighting got to Colorado, and in fact much of Colorado was technicaly part of the Missouri Territory.

-Peter Bringe
 Memor!