Military Executions

[LincolnToddFan]

(02-01-2014 08:41 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Somehow, I just can't imagine that the cheery little fife was used at actual executions and funerals. Does anyone know if The Rogue's March drum cadence was used at either Lincoln's or Kennedy's funeral procession?

Hi Laurie, I watched the four day re-broadcast of the JFK funeral online for the 50th anniversary last November. CBS did a livestream. I was three at the assassination and my memories of that weekend are disjointed and hazy. My mom and grandmother weeping, the roll of drums, clip clopping of horses hooves, chanting of the Latin Requiem Mass. I have always wanted to try and experience that weekend from adult eyes, so I remained glued to my computer from Nov 22 to Nov24th.

I don't remember hearing the Rogue's March for JFK's procession when I watched the livestream rebroadcast. But there was definitely John Brown's Body and Onward Christian Soldiers, both which were also played during Lincoln's procession. Mrs. Kennedy reportedly wanted her husband's funeral modeled on Lincoln's as closely as possible.

Now I understand why everyone who remembers the weekend Nov22 1963 can't forget it. It was the most stirring, haunting funeral pageant I've ever seen. I would have never guessed that we Americans could pull off something so...majestic.