California Consolidated Drum Band

Music Page - The American Veteran Fifer

On this page you will find most of the tunes from the classic AVF collection. This was published after the Civil War, probably around 1905, by Civil War veterans.

There are undoubtedly some errors; these were transcribed by hand and might have typos, so if you see something that doesn't look or sound right, please drop an email message back. Many thanks to Peter Kosel of Sacramento, who spent a great deal of time checking, researching, and typing. Between the two of us, hopefully we caught most of the errors. In general, the music matches the printed page although there were a few obvious errors that were fixed. These should be noted in the specific abc files for each tune.

Some possible errors have been noted in the transcribing. These may not be errors, but in some instances the songs sound better with minor changes.

Cuckoo's Nest - The last measures of each part are too short. The 8th notes have been changed to quarter notes.
Recruiting Sergeant - This sounds wrong. Numerous C's in the first strain sound better as C#, but I'm not sure that is actually correct. The music below is shown as it was printed. Check the abc file for the alternate notes.
Dream Quickstep sounds better with a C# in the second part. It is presented as originally written.
Dashing White Sergeant - again, change C to C# in the second part. It is shown as printed.
Libby Prison - It's written with only one sharp. Sounds terrible. Key changed from G to D.
The Soldiers Lament - As published, the second strain of this song is identical to that of the preceding piece, Kippy Smith's Favorite. I suspect a typographical error on the printer's part; this sounds wrong. However, both are shown here as written in the book.

This is a complete listing of the basic 139 tunes in the original book, with one or two of the camp duty songs included. The remainder of the regulation pieces are in process; there are some 20 additional songs. These songs are saved in various formats; if you notice any problems or have questions, feel free to contact the webmaster.

The American Veteran Fifer


Adam Bells	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
All Is Well	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
All Take Tea	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
American Eagle Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Anna	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Arkansas Traveler	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Assembly (Camp Duty)	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
B.F. Hillikers Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Bartlett's 2.S.	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Biddy Oats	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Black Bird	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Bob Tail Hoss	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Major J. N. Bogarts Banquet	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Bonnie Blue Flag	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Bonnie Doon	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
British Grenadiers No 1	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
British Grenadiers No 2	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Burkholder Post No 115 G.A.R.	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Campbells Are Coming	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Carry Me Back To Virginny	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
C. E. Larrabees Lark	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Charles Wallaces Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Charley Over the Water	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Civil War Musicians Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
College Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Comin' Thro' The Rye	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Corn Cob Clog	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Croquette	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Cuckoo's Nest	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Dashing White Sergeant	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Denman Duncan's Drumbeat	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Dixie	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Dream Q. S	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
E. A. Grows Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Ed Kellog's Q. S	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Eddie Littleton's Libation	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Eden Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Edna's Entracte	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Erin Forever	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Fannie's Festival	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
F. Deitzman's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
F.D. Steels Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Fiefers Delight	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Fifth Maine Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Finnigans Wake	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Firemans Quick Step	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Francis Murrays Musicale	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
French'es Favorite	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
From the Three Camps	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Garry Owen	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
George Brown's Bonvivant	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Get There Eli	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Girl I Left Behind Me	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Go To The Devil And Shake Yourself	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Grace	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Granny Will Your Dog Bite	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Gray Eagle	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Guilderoy	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Haste To The Wedding	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Hell On The Wabash	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Henry's Halcyou	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Howell's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Highland Laddie (White Cockade)	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Huntsman Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Irish Washerwoman	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Jay Bird	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Jefferson and Liberty	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
J H Ware's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
J. L. Blatchley Banter	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
J N Hamberger's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Jobe's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
John Benjamin's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
John Brown or Glory Halleluah	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
John H Stuntz Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Johnny McGill	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Jordan Is A Hard Road	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
J. T. Burbank's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Kenderbeck's	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Kinlock	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Kippy Smith's Favorite	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Lamplighter's Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Langstons Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Larry O'Gaff	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Lassie of Gowie	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Leo Murrays Musetta	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Leon Beall's Bonhomie	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Libby Prison	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Liverpool Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
M. A. Moon's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Maggie's Melange	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Mary's Dream	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Mason's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
McLeods Reel	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Merry Men Home From The War	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Moulton's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Montezuma	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
My Love She's But A Lassie Yet	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Nancy Hanks	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
No Party Q.S.	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
O Lassie Art Thow Sleeping Yet	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Off She Goes	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Off To Charleston	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Old 1812 Q. S.	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Old 76 Stop March	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Old Dan Tucker	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
On The Road To Boston	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
O.S & S.H. Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
O! Susanna	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Oyster River Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Pernard Brown's Buffet	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Post No. 2 G. A. R.	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Rambler	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Raw Recruit	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Recruiting Sergeant	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Ricketts Hornpipe	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Rogue's March	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Rory O'More	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Ruth	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Soldiers Joy	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Soldiers Lament	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Squirrel Hunter's QS	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Tallewan	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Tatter Jack	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
T.B. Jobes Jubilee	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
T.E. Hills Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Tom Brown's Burletta	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
The Turkey Gobbler	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Turkey In The Straw	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Twilight	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Union Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Walters Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
We Won't Go Home 'Till Morning	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
What Can The Matter Be	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
When We Go Down To Washington	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
White Cockade (Highland Laddie)	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Widow Machree	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Wild Goose	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Wm Davenport's Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
W. M. Larrabee Quickstep	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Wrecker's Daughter	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS
Yankee Doodle	PDF	JPG	GIF	Midi	abc	PS

Format notes:

PDF	"Portable Display Format", by Adobe. Use the Acrobat Reader (acroread) to view and print these files. They're formatted for US sized 8-1/2 by 11 inch pages.
JPG	a picture format, sometimes known as JPEG. Your web browser should be able to display these. The jpg files here may be smaller size (and smaller scale) than the GIF images. There's one song per page.
GIF	another picture format. You should be able to display these in your web browser. GIF files here are usually of better quality than JPG, but they're larger.
Midi	a sound file. These are short and only contain the first part played one time through, followed by the second part played one time through (AB, not AABB as they are usually played). The only exception is if there are first and second endings for the tune; then you get the whole thing. The tones should match your (B-flat) fife, although they are an octave low. The files are automatically generated and don't sound much like a fife, but will hopefully give you an idea of what it should sound like if you have difficulty following the written music.
abc	a simple text format that contains the notes and lengths, along with some occasional notes on the tune. It's a format used on the Web to email tunes back and forth. It's not too legible, but it's very compact. See the web pages for abc and abcplus on sourceforge for more information and pointers to various programs which allow you to read, play, and print music files. There are LOTS of abc tune archives out there. These files were generated with Barfly on a Macintosh computer. The abc files have a non-standard notation on the key line (K:) to transpose the Midi output (t=8). Also, some tunes have trilled notes, which are denoted by a T.
PS	a PostScript file for printing. Some printers take PostScript directly. If you don't have a PostScript printer, use PDF. These files may be of use to those who run on Linux or Unix systems.

Last updated: 15-September-2004