Old 1812?

[guad42]

Does anyone know the origins of this song, did it come from the 1812 period, or much later?

Would love to know.

Thanks

-Sam Dolan

[Silas]

Re: Old 1812?

A quick online search has Old 1812 tagged as a later version of a Revolutionary war tune, Welcome Here Again. That's about the best I could do on that. Some of the regular drummer and fifer types will certainly add more to this.

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Old 1812?

We had a discussion on Old 1812 here recently in the music forum. Try the search function.

In my not so humble opinion, it is appropriate to play the tune as long as you pick one version and go with it. Most reenactor fifers play it as a medley: Welcome Here Again / Old 1812 because "it sounds cool." But technically that medley consists of an older version of the tune followed by a version taken from a collection of tunes published by Union veterans in 1905 (American Veteran Fifer).

[Silas]

Re: Old 1812?

I used the terms "old 1812" and came up with nothing. Tried it without quotes and several threads popped up including this recent one which has several pages : http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...highlight=1812

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Old 1812?

Will,

I bet your eyes were rolling and your ears were burning when I played both as a medley last weekend at spring drill. ;-)

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Old 1812?

Will,

I bet your eyes were rolling and your ears were burning when I played both as a medley last weekend at spring drill. ;-)

Nah, that one comes in pretty low on my radar. Actually most of the stuff that makes my ears burn is done by drummers, not fifers. It's usually not the fife tunes but the 20th century drumbeats that go along with them.

But in case you really want to get on my nerves, here's my top 10 list of tunes ruined by post-war drumbeats:

Old Dan Tucker
The Harriot
Adam Bell's
Corn Cob Clog
Jaybird
Fireman's Q.S.
York Fusiliers
Granny, will your dog bite?
Reveille
Anything with the modern version of Army 2-4

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Old 1812?

Someday you will have to educate me on the differences. Meanwhile... I have lots more to learn on the fife.

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Old 1812?

Someday you will have to educate me on the differences. Meanwhile... I have lots more to learn on the fife.

From what I heard you are coming along just fine with your fifing. And no one can fault you for learning the tunes that other reenactor fifers play. If you didn't, you wouldn't have anyone to practice with.

Unfortunately, the most commonly played tunes among reenactors are not necesarily the ones that were commonly played 150 years ago.

My theory is that the tunes that appear in multiple manuals or the tunes mentioned in regimental histories and memoirs should be learned first.

I'm always on the lookout for such references and came across this one today:

"On the night of June 28, 1862, just as the regimental wagons were about to depart from near the traverees and breastworks in front of Richmond, Principal Musician Newman had placed on one of them, in care of Commissary Sergeant Joseph Snelling, a field bugle and drum. These instruments were not seen again until the morning of July 4, 1862, at Harrison's Landing. On that day, in company with many others, Newman was in the creek enjoying a bath and washing his clothes. Herman Donath the colonel's orderly, rode up and informed him that guard mounting was about to be held, with music, and that he with Fifer John McCammon, (one of the best fifers in the army), were to report immediately to Adjt. Chad wick at guard mounting parade.

The two musicians quitted the stream just as they were, only stopping to empty the water from their boots and wring out their shirts. They reported on parade to Adjt. Chadwick, who handed to Newman the drum which he had placed in the Commissary Sergeant's wagon, and to Fifer McCammon a fine fife. For the "Assembly of the Guard" they played "Jefferson and Liberty," this being the first music .heard in the camp of the Second Corps since the Battle of Fair Oaks. For the "Inspection of the Guard" they played "Yankee Doodle," with variations. The music attracted the attention of the entire corps and everyone seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion. The men seized the first thing that came handy and, beginning to form to the left, extended the guard line. The countermarch was executed near the camp of the Irish Brigade, 1st Div., 2nd Corps, and "Garry Owen" was played in their honor. The event was a unique one and had the effect of cheering the men up quite a little."

History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry, 1861-1865 By Ernest Linden Waitt