|
"Garryowen" is an old Irish quick-step that can be traced back to the early 1860's. In 1867 Garryowen was adopted by the 7th Calvary Regiment as the official Air (tune) of the Regiment and the historical nickname given to the 7th Calvary Regiment and troops. It became the official tune of the 1st Calvary Division in 1981. Garryowen a compounded word composed of two Irish words, which means "Garden of Owen".
As the story goes one of the Irish "meltingpot" troops of the 7th Calvary, under the influence of "spirits", was singing the song. General George Armstrong Custer heard the melody, liked the cadence, and soon began to hum the tune himself. The tune had a lively beat, that accenuates the caddence of marching horses and for that reason was adopted as the regimental march soon after Custer arrived at Ford Riley, Kansas to take over command of the 7th Calvary Regiment. It was the last song played for Custer's men as they left General Terry's column at the Powder River and rode into history.
maggiemahone1
|
Legend of the garryowen
