Workshop Resources - Music
Music Workshop
Suggestions: This workshop should tell the importance and use of music in the army and also the entertainment aspect. Drummers and fifers helped keep step and give commands through music (which is
why the distinctive reversed uniforms in both armies). The entertainment aspect also often told what life was like for the soldiers. Pointing out the words to the American national anthem and showing how it tells the story of the attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812 would help. Finally, using the drummer and fifer to show how they helped the soldiers stay in step while they marched by having the Grade 7's march to the drum would be a good interactive activity (contrast to no drumming with the marching). A volunteer Grade 7 could try to
spare music instruments (use listerine to sterilize between uses).
Equipment: Drum, 2 fifes, small metal flute, jaw harp, 1812 music on sheet and on CD
Websites: British grenadiers soundclip
Yankee Doodle Fife Piece
Drum calls and signals
-drummers had a reputation for getting into mischief (younger men) but their discipline was handled by the regimental drum major in British army
-British and other Europeans tended to not shoot the drummer boys but the Americans did (knew it would throw their opponents off)
Poor Old Soldier - The Rogue's March
I left my home and I left my job
Went and joined the army
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.
Poor old soldier, poor old soldier
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.
Gave me a gun and a big red coat
Gave me lots of drilling
If I knew then what I know nowI wouldn't have took the shilling.
Chorus:
Sent me off on a real old boat
By Christ she was no beauty
Far far across the sea we went
Afore to do my duty
Chorus:
Fought the Russians, or was it the French
Really couldn't tell, sir
All I know is they fought so hard
They sent us all to hell, sir.
Chorus:
When we got back home again
To desert was my intent, sir
I sold my cot and I sold my coat
And over the wall I went, sir.
Chorus:
Went to a tavern and I got drunk
That is where they found me
Back to barracks in chains I was sent
And there they did impound me.
Chorus:
Fifty I got for selling me coat
Fifty for me blankets
If ever I 'list for a soldier again
The devil shall be me sergeant.
Chorus:
Suggestions: This workshop should tell the importance and use of music in the army and also the entertainment aspect. Drummers and fifers helped keep step and give commands through music (which is
why the distinctive reversed uniforms in both armies). The entertainment aspect also often told what life was like for the soldiers. Pointing out the words to the American national anthem and showing how it tells the story of the attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812 would help. Finally, using the drummer and fifer to show how they helped the soldiers stay in step while they marched by having the Grade 7's march to the drum would be a good interactive activity (contrast to no drumming with the marching). A volunteer Grade 7 could try to
spare music instruments (use listerine to sterilize between uses).
Equipment: Drum, 2 fifes, small metal flute, jaw harp, 1812 music on sheet and on CD
Websites: British grenadiers soundclip
Yankee Doodle Fife Piece
Drum calls and signals
-drummers had a reputation for getting into mischief (younger men) but their discipline was handled by the regimental drum major in British army
-British and other Europeans tended to not shoot the drummer boys but the Americans did (knew it would throw their opponents off)
Poor Old Soldier - The Rogue's March
I left my home and I left my job
Went and joined the army
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.
Poor old soldier, poor old soldier
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.
Gave me a gun and a big red coat
Gave me lots of drilling
If I knew then what I know nowI wouldn't have took the shilling.
Chorus:
Sent me off on a real old boat
By Christ she was no beauty
Far far across the sea we went
Afore to do my duty
Chorus:
Fought the Russians, or was it the French
Really couldn't tell, sir
All I know is they fought so hard
They sent us all to hell, sir.
Chorus:
When we got back home again
To desert was my intent, sir
I sold my cot and I sold my coat
And over the wall I went, sir.
Chorus:
Went to a tavern and I got drunk
That is where they found me
Back to barracks in chains I was sent
And there they did impound me.
Chorus:
Fifty I got for selling me coat
Fifty for me blankets
If ever I 'list for a soldier again
The devil shall be me sergeant.
Chorus: