Thursday 11 June 2009
Tune of the Day: The Girl I Left Behind
Traditional Irish marching tune
This long-standing popular folk tune was originally known in Ireland as “The Rambling Labourer” and “The Spailpin Fanach”. In the 19th century it became a popular British marching song under the title “Brighton Camp”. In the years before the American revolution, the song was often played when a British naval vessel set sail or an army unit left for service abroad. It was adopted by the Americans and has become a traditional army song. Even today it is played at the United States Military Academy at West Point as part of the medley for the cadet's final formation for graduation.