Eight comments
Bonapart’s retreat
Although listed as a reel, this tune is in fact a set dance.
I believe at least part of it is played (by Brendan Gleeson?) in the film "Cold Mountain", which is set in the American Civil War.
This version submitted is from Henrik Norbeck’s collection.
Trevor
Bonaparte’s Retreat
I can confirm that Brendan Gleeson played it. The well-known actor (Gangs of New York etc) got the part because he let it be known he could "scratch about on the fiddle". In fact, he has been playing the fiddle since he was 17, and researched the music for the film in some detail. For more info do a Google search on "Brendan Gleeson" AND fiddle.
Trevor
Bonaparte’s Retreat - Brendan Gleeson
As far as I can remember, Brendan Gleeson is the only film actor I have seen who can play the fiddle/violin well enough to perform live on screen (as opposed to real musicians who have a walk-on part as themselves). What you usually see in a film is an actor who obviously can’t play, or even knows how to hold the instrument and bow convincingly, "miming" to the sound of a pro violinist off screen.
Trevor
The tune was also used then as a fife march as well as a folk dance tune during the CW
Roche II, page 33, tune #280 ~ “Bonaparte’s Retreat”
"The Roche Collection of Traditional Irish Music, Volume II", 1912
Set Dances ~ pages 28 - 34
X: 280
T: Bonaparte’s Retreat
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: set dance
K: Gmaj
|: GF |\
DGGF GBAG | FGAd f2 fg | agfa gfeg | fdcA BGAF |
DGGF GBAG | FGAd f2 fg | agfd cAGF | A2 G2 G2 :|
|: de |\
fefg f2 df | gfga g2 de | fefg afge | gdcA BGAF |
fefg f2 df | gfga g2 fg | abag fgaf | gfga g2 fg |
a2 ab agfd | f2 fa gfed | fefg afge | fdcA BGAF |
DGGF GBAG | FGAd f2 fg | agfa gfeg | fdcA BGAF |
DGGF GBAG | FGAd f2 fg | agfd cAGF | A2 G2 G2 :|
The “other” one
Version 3
From the concertina playing of Bernard O’Sullivan and Tommy McMahon. Slightly swingy, between a hornpipe and reel, but definitely a set dance.
Bonaparte’s Retreat, X:4
My take on this tune.