Soldier’s Guide to Field Music Volume I

By Kim Newell

Music serves as the alarm clock, walkie-talkie, and bullhorn of the American Revolution.

All soldiers should be able to recognize and know what to do when they hear these verbal cues.

Practice areas are set up where fifes and drums can play near the camp. Any sounds coming from elsewhere in the camp should be flagged as a duty of some kind.

CALLS YOU’LL HEAR IN CAMP:
WOOD CALL (DRUM ONLY):
Go Foooooorrrrr The Wood

WATER CALL (DRUM ONLY):
Drip Drip Drop

ROAST BEEF:
Usually Around Noon, Drum Part Sounds Like An Accented Roll

CHURCH CALL:
Sunday Mornings, Very Simple Drum Part. (Fife and Drum.)

PIONEER’S CALL:
Only other “song” you’ll hear from the duty music. If it’s not noon or time for church, flag this 6/8 piece and go get your axes.

OFFICERS:
(NOTE: THERE IS NO “OFFICER’S CALL.”):

FIRST SERGEANT (DRUM ONLY):
ONE ROLL, THREE FLAMSALL

NCOs (DRUM ONLY):
TWO ROLLS, FIVE FLAMS

ADJUTANT (DRUM ONLY):
“The Bear Jumped Over the Can.”

FORMATION:
MUSICIAN’S CALL (5-15 minutes prior to most formations)
It is time to go and get my gun!
‘Cause we’re gonna have some fun!
It’s Musician’s Call!
I must go now and go get my gun.

ASSEMBLY (LORD LOUDEN’S SINGLING OF THE TROOP)FIFE PART:
Get in line, get in line, get in line,
Get in line, get in line, get in line,
Now is time to get in line, so get in line, get in line,
Now is time to get in line, so get in line, get in line.
DRUM PART:
“The bear jumped over the candlestick; Jack jumped over the mountain.

“DOUBLINGS: Safety Inspections/Open Ranks
Same Tune As the One Drums Do Stick Clicks When Used As a Marching Tune

ON THE FIELD:
CEASE FIREFIFE PART:
That is Cease Fire,
We can shoot no more.
Wonder what we’re stopping for?
DRUM PART:
Stop Now Stop Now Stop Right Now

REVEILLE (POINT OF WAR) — Also sometimes used for CHARGING
Get off your butt,
Get out of bed
Get off your butt
Get out of bed
It’s time to rise and shine
And start your day brand new.
Get off your butt.
Get out of your bed.

ROSALINE CASTLE/MOURN MUSKETS
This tune is in a minor key, which means it sounds sad. This will be played at the end of battles to signify for the “dead” to rise. SOLDIERS SHOULD MOURN MUSKETS.

ON THE MARCH:
COMMON STEP: 75 Beats/Minute
QUICK STEP/MARCH MARCH: 120 Beats/Minute

RECRUITING:
Keep in mind PHYSICAL MATURITY, MENTAL MATURITY RESPONSIBLITY/ABILITY TO RETAIN CALLS/TUNES), INTEREST, WILLINGNESS TO WORK, LONG TERM GOALS AS FAR AS KEEPING CONSISTANCY IN MUSIC. Recruit MUSICIANS.

Copyright © 1998 Kim Newell. All rights reserved.