Bonaparte's Retreat

Subject: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 09:51 AM

Howdy y'all. I'm sure this has come up before, but I kept getting an error in the search function, so here I am.

How many tunes are out there called Bonaparte's Retreat? There's the really common one, then the one Copland copped for Hoedown, and another yet called Bonaparte's Retreat from Moscow which appears to be different, and there's a feller on the YouTubes who says he's playing the "original" version of Bonaparte's Retreat . . .

I just started in on this rabbit hole, so any guidance on which trail to take would be helpful. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 10:34 AM

There are several ways to get to the functioning search methods here. The post this link jumps to will give you a lot of help:

Tech: Mudcat search engine tips-try the Filter

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 10:37 AM

WooHoo!!!!! Thank you!

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 11:37 AM

Have a look at the Traditional Tune Archive. This lists eight tunes named 'Bonaparte's Retreat'.

Trad Tunes Archive - Bold to Bonny

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 11:46 AM

Thanks - there are some good historical notes on that link.

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Lighter
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 12:12 PM

The C&W version including measures from "Streets of Cairo" is from 1949.

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 12:23 PM

If you go to abcnotation.com and search for "Bonaparte's Retreat" you will get six tunes, only two of which seem similar with a quick trial.

Searching for the single word "Bonaparte" turns up more than 10 pages of tunes, not all of which have Bonaparte in the title. Maybe the other tunes had "Bonaparte" in the lyrics.

Bonaparte crossing the Alps
Bonaparte crossing the Rhine
Bonaparte crossing his eyes

I personally play "Bonaparte Crossing the Rocky Mountains," which I'm pretty sure I got from the Fiddler's Fake Book.

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 08:10 PM

My fiddle teacher taught me a tune he *thought* was called Bonaparte Crossing the Alps, and apparently it is, but it's a totally different tune than another tune with the same name. Good times. ;-)

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: gillymor
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 08:33 PM

I play a Bonaparte Crossing the Rockies which is the same tune as Bell's March which some people seem to know as Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine which I know as a completely different tune and of course Bonaparte's Retreat is none of these. Hope that clears things up.

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 09:44 PM

Yes. Clear as mud. Boney obviously got around quite a bit. ;-)

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: gillymor
Date: 23 Oct 22 - 08:36 AM

There's plenty of info on BR, and other Boney-named tunes, at
The Fiddler's Companion, you just have to scroll down a ways.

I also found this version, Bonaparte's Retreat pdf complete with "hoochie coochie dance" variation in the last 8 bars.

Subject: RE: Bonaparte's Retreat
From: Kim C
Date: 23 Oct 22 - 09:48 AM

Thanks! I had totally forgotten about Fiddler's Companion.