A bugle call is a short tune, originating as a military signal announcing scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on a military installation, battlefield, or ship. Historically, bugles, drums, and other loud musical instruments were used for clear communication in the noise and confusion of a battlefield. Naval bugle calls were also used to command the crew of many warships. A defining feature of a bugle call is that it consists only of notes from a single overtone series. This is in fact a requirement if it is to be playable on a bugle or equivalently on a trumpet without moving the valves. Bugle calls typically indicated the change in daily routines of camp. Every duty around camp had its own bugle call, and since cavalry had horses to look after, they heard twice as many signals as regular infantry. "Boots and Saddles" was the most imperative of these signals and could be sounded without warning at any time of day or night, signaling the men to equip themselves and their mounts immediately. Bugle calls also relayed commanders' orders on the battlefield, signaling the troops to Go Forward, To the Left, To the Right, About, Rally on the Chief, Trot, Gallop, Rise up, Lay down, Commence Firing, Cease Firing, Disperse, and other specific actions.
Bugle calls
"Adjutant's Call": Indicates that the adjutant is about to form the guard, battalion, or regiment.
The call may also be used to announce the formation of a funeral escort from a selected military unit.
"Drill Call": Sounds as a warning to turn out for drill.
"Fatigue Call": Signals all designated personnel to report for fatigue duty.
"Fire Call": Signals that there is a fire on the post or in the vicinity. The call is also used for fire drill.
"First Call": Sounds as a warning that personnel will prepare to assemble for a formation.
* This call is also used in horse racing, where it is known as Call to the Post. In that context, it indicates that jockeys need to have their mounts in position to be loaded into the starting gate.
"First Sergeant's Call": Signals that the First Sergeant is about to form the company.
"Guard Mount": Sounds as a warning that the guard is about to be assembled for guard mount.
"Last Post": Used at Commonwealth of Nations military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in a war.
"Mail Call": Signals personnel to assemble for the distribution of mail.
"Mess Call": Signals mealtime.
"Officers Call": Signals all officers to assemble at a designated place.
"Pay Call": Signals that troops will be paid.
"Recall": Signals duties or drills to cease.
"Retreat": Formerly used to signal troops to retreat. Now used to signal the end of the official day. This bugle call is very close to Sunset used in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. In the U.S. Army, it is signaled right before To The Colors.
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"Reveille": Signals the troops to awaken for morning roll call. In the U.S. Army, it accompanies the raising of the flag, thus representing the official beginning of the new day.
Sick Call: Signals all troops needing medical attention to report to the dispensary.
"Stable Call": Signals troops to feed and water horses. Lyrics dating to 1852 Sumner's March to New Mexico: "Come off to the stables, all if you are able, and give your horses some oats and some corn; For if you don’t do it, the colonel will know it, And then you will rue it, as sure’s you’re born."
"Swimming Call": Signals the start of the swimming period.
"Taps": Signals that unauthorized lights are to be extinguished. This is the last call of the day. The call is also sounded at the completion of a U.S. military funeral ceremony.
"Tattoo": Signals that all light in squad rooms be extinguished and that all loud talking and other disturbances be discontinued within 15 minutes.
"To Arms": Signals all troops to fall under arms at designated places without delay.
"To The Colors" : Used to render honors to the nation. It is used when no band is available to render honors, or in ceremonies requiring honors to the nation more than once. "To the Colors" commands all the same courtesies as the National Anthem. The most common use of "To The Colors" is when it is sounded immediately following "Retreat". During this use of the call, the flag is lowered.
Popular culture
Many of the familiar calls have had words made up to fit the tune. For example, the U.S. "Reveille" goes: and the U.S. "Mess Call": and the U.S. "Assembly": and the U.S. "Taps" Irving Berlin wrote a tune called, "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning". In a filmed version of his musical, This Is the Army, he plays a World War Idoughboy whose sergeant exhorts him with this variant of words sung to "Reveille": "Ya gotta get up, ya gotta get up, ya gotta get up this morning!" after which Berlin sang the song. "Taps" has been used frequently in popular media, both sincerely and humorously. It is the title of a 1981 movie of the same name. "First call" is best known for its use in thoroughbred horse racing, where it is also known as the "Call to the Post". It is used to herald the arrival of horses onto the track for a race. Another popular use of the "Mess Call" is a crowd cheer at football or basketball games. The normal tune is played by the band, with a pause to allow the crowd to chant loudly, "Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up! Rah! Rah! Rah!"
