“In the English colonies of America, an annual day was held for citizen soldiers to be mustered, or called in, for training and to make sure they had a weapon. Each town had its own military company and the Selectmen were responsible for ensuring there was enough powder and ball to defend the people and their homes.

After brief and disorganized “drills” and maneuvers on the town green, the rest of the day was spent socializing and making merriment. This often included an ample supply of rum provided by commanders seeking to win the cooperation of their men and music from the fife and drum corps.

Fifes and drums are both ancient instruments used by armies for relaying orders to soldiers in camp or in battle. And, the beat and rhythm of the drum with the high shrill pitch of the fife carries well and keeps soldiers minds from dwelling too much on unpleasant conditions or tedious marches….

Modeled on the pattern of a military ceremony known as a “tattoo,” from the Dutch word “tiptoe” meaning to close the tops (of kegs), it was originally a drum beat played to inform tavern keepers that it was time to close their bars and for soldiers to return to their quarters.”