About Fife & Drum

Today's ancient fife and drum repertoire is drawn mainly from the camp duty, the music of early America, and Irish and Scottish folk tunes brought over by early American immigrants. Tunes from the camp duty include "Merry Men Home from the Grave," "Downfall of Paris" and "The Girl I Left Behind Me." American music includes "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Yankee Doodle" and "America, the Beautiful." Typical Irish and Scottish tunes are "Garry Owen," "Minstrel Boy," "Irish Washerwoman" and "Mairi's Wedding."

Many fife and drum corps follow a military style dress. Every member of the corps – male and female – wears an identical uniform patterned after the military dress of a particular period – often the American Revolution or Civil War.

The Patriot Volunteers follows a civilian style of dress. Our members wear the different men’s and women’s styles of dress from the late 18th century, and not all of them are uniform. We carry an American flag because of its patriotic significance, not for military significance.