Me sincerest appologies fer lettin' ye doon again, Mates, but the Corps called us, ye see.

That'd be the Third Maine Volunteer Infantry Fife & Drum Corps, don't ye know; Next week while Aunt Mahtha an' me is marryin' off our "Wylde One" (AKA: Sheraon Judith) tae a falla name o' "MURPHY" aboard the old "KHATADIN" out of Greenville ME on Moosehead Lake, the F&DC is performing in old Fort Knox up in Bucksport, ME at the "Military Tattoo".

We did the gig there last year, and heard some folks comment on how they liked us better than the bagpipes! Well enough to be invited back, anyhow.

So sort of on the spur of the moment, the Family of one of our wee Drummer Lads invited the Corps to their home in Lisbon (near the site of the Moxie Festival) for a rehearsal and Corps BBQ with our dear Pards from the 20th Maine who came all the way down from Bangor and Newport to join us. It began around "fourish" last night, and as hard as it was to stand up the jolly Mudcat Crew again, Aunt M. advised that the ME Turnpike is a mess of construction, and seemed much more enthusiastic to accompany to Lisbon than to Portsmouth, where if anyone in the whole place was smoking she probably would have had an asthma attack.

Even though I won't be at Ft. Knox on the 19th, my carcass was needed to fill in the Fife line for a Performer who could not make the rehearsal. Part of this routine is the "Martial Choriography" in which we march onto and around the parade-ground, condensing a "parade" into a fairly small area (those of you familiar with the Fort know what that's all about) evolve and de-volve into "Concert Formation", coordinate with the Color Guard (The Flag Guys) all while playing. It takes a bit of practice to pull it off convincingly!

After the BBQ most of the grownups settled on the piazza (porch); The old tin "Mucket" was refreshed with a cold brew, and some of the youngsters milled around while I broke out my gee-tar. Much to their credit they stuck around through 3 whole verses of "Lorena".
Most kids get that deer-in-the-headlights look and wander away seeking their deperately needed electronic sensory stimulation fix after two at the most. This is NOT their kind of music!
If anyone under 20 is still around after two of these old tunes, reel 'em in; they've got potential!

Having driven the teenie-boppers inside to thier entertainment of choice, I was invited to play a few, and a good time was had by all by the light of citronella candles.

Citronella = mosquito repellant.
Acoustic music from the 1840's = kid repellant.

I managed to fake "Fields of Athenrye" all right, although I was unable to pull a few requests such as "Minstrel Boy" and "Whisky in the Jar" out of my head. The ever-popular "Frozen Logger" was a hit, and Auntie M. wanted to hear "Somebady's Darlin", which is one of those old CivilWar tear-jerkers that require at least 2 1/2 octaves to pull off properly.
I think I hit most of 'em all right, but there was a certain Altzheimer's factor when it came to the lyrics. I hate to have that happen when the audience is reasonably sober.

We ended to the traditional 3rd Maine Final'e; "Amazing Grace" in memory of our dear departed "Jaquie" LaChapelle - a frail, wee little lass with the heart of a tigress. She used to hold the candle-lantern over my shoulder around the campfire so I could read the chords and lyrics for songs I hadn't quite memorized but the Camp wanted to hear...

Trim and proper, hair in a bun; hoopskirt and bonnett; Victorian spectacles... who would take a cast-iron fry-pan to any "Rebel" inprudent enough to try and raid the 3rd Maine's Camp while us Lads were out doing battle!

But I digress...

Thanks for the marvelous descripion and account of the Press Room "Hoot", Cpt. Charlie. Wish I could've been two places at once!

I have a feeling that my chances of making it to one of these might be enhanced considerably were it to be held up in the Portland area again.

What's the scoop with the Observatory Shanty Sings? Are they happening this year?