The Old Arizona was introduced to the regimental song, The Silent Column, (& slogan "Prepared & Loyal") in summer of 2007 by Major John Conley, retired, a combat veteran of the Viet Nam War. Since its lyrics reference horse cavalry, we suspect it may predate Viet Nam by many years. However, we have been unable to find out anything about its age & origin. Help us out, won't you? & if you know of any other regimental tunes or songs from the horse cavalry era that we should know about, please contact us.
(midi by our musicial director based upon informal vocal rendition)
The 4th Cavalry Band was stationed at Ft. Lowell, Ft. Huachuca & other frontier posts in Territorial Arizona. Legend has it that the 4th Cav Band performed "Auld Lang Syne" at Ft. Bowie (now a national monument) when Geronimo, the determined, wily & worthy adversary, and his loyal followers boarded transport for the journey to the railhead and points east. The band also marched in the parade honoring Gen. Miles hosted exuberantly by the Citizens of Tucson that now marks the end of the Indian War Period (see above photo courtesy of the Ft. Lowell Museum).
