I'm A Cavalry scout and always wanted to know where fiddlers green came from and what does Garry Owen mean??

Question

I have always loved the poem fiddlers green and I've always been confused with Garry Owen Where do they come from

Answer 1

Fiddlers Green- an old Irish legend to the effect that a sailor, with an oar over his shoulder can walk inland and find a happy land of perpetual mirth, a fiddle that never stops playing and dancers never tire.
For the Cavalry the writer is unknown but was published in a 1923 U.S. Cavalry manual. Here is one verse:

Halfway down the trail to hell
in a shady meadow green
are the souls of all dead troopers camped
near a good old-time canteen.
And this Eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.

Go to wikipedia and put in Fiddler's Green. It has the whole poem.

Garry Owen at the time this started was a fictitious fellow. The music was first documented as "Auld Bessy" in1788. It went through a few transitions, in a play, and words originally written by Thomas Moore, until it evolved into what Custer used as the unofficial 7th Cavalry song.

Answer 2

A very large percentage of the US Cavalry were of Irish decent, as reflected in the John Wayne's movies were all the senior NCO's seem to have Irish names.

The original "Fiddlers Green" has connections to the Irish / UK fishing community and Sailors its about a Sailors last berth (resting place).

Likewise "Garry Owen" is an old Irish tune brought over to the states by Irish emigrants and variations can be found with regards the words, through the years.

It was also a very popular marching song played in Irish Regiments in the British Army. 1700's to the present.

Answer 3

One of my colleagues was a cav scout with the 1st squadron 7th us cav. he claims that a bunch of lt col george armstrong custer's troopers were in a bar drinking and singing an irish drinking song called "Garry Owen" when custer walked in and said that he liked the song and it should be their official song. Who knows if it is true or not.
semper fi

Answer 4

well I found this on wikipedia, I must admit I never heard that poem before. but then I was a Tech in the 11th cav, and not a Scout. Hope it helps.

Answer 5

Ireland. The troubles in the 1700's.