Notes on the Tunes

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14. British Field March

West Virginia fiddler Henry Reed played this tune, which he learned from Quince Dillion, an old fiddler and fife player during the Mexican War. The turnarounds, not characteristic of Henry’s fiddling, probably mimic the original fife technique. Reed claimed it was played by the British as they retreated from the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson American forces prevailed in a battle actually fought after the war was over. The tune is “an old British air that crops up in various forms, particularly Irish sources. O’Neills Music of Ireland #1388 ‘Touch Me If You Dare’ setting #2.” (Jabbour, Fiddle Tunes of the Old Frontier: The Henry Reed Collection)

Chris’ fiddle GDAE on 1830’s David Hopf violin : Joe’s guitar 1850’s single “0” no-name