Sunset (bugle call)

"Sunset", also known as the "Retreat Call", is a bugle call played in United Kingdom and British Commonwealth countries to signal the end of the official military day.[1] In common with all bugle calls, it consists only of notes from a single overtone series. This allows it to be playable on a bugle or equivalently on a trumpet without moving the valves.

"Sunset (bugle call)"
Notation of the bugle call.
GenreBugle call
Published1932 (1932)

The call is regularly heard performed in an arrangement for full military band by Captain A.C. Green (1888–1974), who was Director of the Royal Naval School of Music's Junior Wing on the Isle of Man.[2]

The arrangement was composed aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in response to Admiral Fisher's desire for a "spectacular show" and was first performed in 1932 by the Massed Bands and Bugles of the Mediterranean Fleet.[1] The Sunset call is now a regular part of the Royal Marines' "Beat the Retreat" ceremony, the call's melody also gives its name to "Sunset Parades" given in commemoration of former military conflicts.[2] It is traditional to stand for the performance of the piece.

Trumpet & Bugle Calls for the British Army marks this call for Royal Artillery units only. The call would then be sounded on an E♭ Cavalry Trumpet.

Lyrics
Four Royal Marine buglers sound "sunset" at the lowering the flag on board HMS King George V in 1942

.

Sunset in the western sky,
Darkness falls o'er land and sea
Praise, Lord, we raise to you
This night and for evermore.
We think of loved ones near and far
And those who've fought the fight before
Keep safe your people, Lord
This night and for evermore.
Keep safe your people, Lord
This night and for evermore
This night and for evermore.

Lyrics: Tim Marshall (Originally written for Festival of Remembrance 2009) Arr: David Cole

References
  1. Royal Marines Band - "beating retreat" royalmarinesbands.co.uk, Retrieved 18 July 2010
  2. A.C. Green biography, seayourhistory.org.uk, Retrieved 18 July 2010
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