All of the individuals portrayed in the "Suite" were real people who served in some capacity during the American Revolution. Some are well-known in history, others less well-known, but all made a significant contribution to the Continental Army during America's War for Independence.
The text of "The Continental Soldier Suite" is given below:
TIMOTHY MURPHY
Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman, Timothy Murphy was his name. Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman In the Continental Army, he won his fame.
J'ever hear of Timothy Murphy, a real life son-of-a-gun? He was born in New Jersey in seventeen fifty-one. He got his reputation from the rifle in his hand: A double barreled rifle, the first one in the land. Enlisted in the army when the war was only begun And stayed there a-fightin' until the war was won.
With Washington at Valley Forge he crossed the Delaware; When they needed a troubleshooter: Tim Murphy was there.
Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman, Timothy Murphy was his name. Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman; In the Continental Army, he won his fame.
At the Battle of Saratoga, Tim Murphy had his big day; With a shot from his rifle he drove defeat away. The British were preparing to attack our men in force When Murphy got his orders: "Get that man on the horse!" "That man" was General Fraser, a man who couldn't be beat; If he led his army we'd surely face defeat.
So up a tree to climb and there he took a careful aim Then he fired a shot that won us a war, and him fame.
Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman, Timothy Murphy was his name. Bang! Bang! The double barreled rifleman, In the Continental Army he won his fame.
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