Constancy

In 1776 young George Bush, a lieutenant in George Washington’s army began collecting fiddle and fife tunes, songs, airs, marches and minuets. He kept his fiddle with him, saw action in many battles, was wounded at Brandywine in the winter of 1781. He wrote down music in a pocket journal some 87 tunes, mostly of British origin. “Constancy” is one of the few tunes without a British connection. My 1852 Webster’s Dictionary defines “constancy” as “fixedness of mind; persevering resolution; steady, unshaken determination; particularly applicable to firmness of mind under sufferings. Lasting affection; stability in love or friendship.” Chris fiddle; gdae.