Annotation:American Rifle Team

Composed by Edwin Christie--not the blackface minstrel of 19th century Christie's Minstrel's fame, but rather a "respected if not particularly successful composer who probably worked in the Boston area." (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/smhtml/audiodir.html@7102334). Music researcher Don Meade says American rifle teams won victories against an Irish team in 1874 and 1875, and 1876. "The American Rifle Team" honors the American rifle team led by Major Leech that won an international match in 1874 held at the Creedmore Range, Long Island, finds Meade, who notes that a number of melodies were inspired by the feat. As the Americans won by only the slimmest of margins, a return match was held the following year at Dolly Mount, Ireland (the team sailed on the Inman Line's City of Chester). Again the Americans were victors, and a final match in 1876 was held between teams of Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Australia, for a final American victory. The Wimbledon Cup, a silver trophy was presented to the 1875 winners at Wimbledon by Princess Louise on behalf of the riflemen of Great Britain, has been ever since been the annual honor for the long range shooting match. The country was ecstatic, and with a surge of national pride treated the members of the team as conquering heroes upon their return. The second part of the tune begins in third position on the violin.

Printed sources: Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 102. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 137.

Recorded sources: Flying Fish FF 70572, Frank Ferrel - "Yankee Dreams: Wicked Good Fiddling from New England" (1991).