Facebook Twitter Phil Olson indicates that this American folk song has Irish roots and that the names found in the work are taken from the muster rolls and casualty list from the battle of Bunker Hill. A great contest piece for high school voices with lots of opportunity for cross curriculum study. Buttermilk Hill is an evocative SATB divisi choral arrangement of a beloved American folk song with deep roots in history and cultural tradition. Drawn from a tune that circulated in America during the Revolutionary era, this piece reflects the story of separation, loss, and enduring emotional expression that characterized much of 18th-century folk music.Originally known in popular tradition as Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Buttermilk Hill is an adaptation of an English/Irish folk melody that became widely known in the United States during the American Revolution. The underlying melody traces back to older Irish tunes such as “Siúil A Rún,” demonstrating the transatlantic movement of folk music and how immigrants brought these melodies into the fabric of early American musical culture.In this arrangement, Phil Olson not only preserves the plaintive beauty and lyrical simplicity of the traditional tune but also deepens its historical resonance by incorporating a unique textual element: the names of soldiers drawn from the muster rolls and casualty lists of the Battle of Bunker Hill. These names, woven into the texture of the choral writing, invite performers and audiences alike to reflect on the real individuals whose lives were touched by conflict during the nation’s founding era.The gently flowing vocal lines, paired with an oboe accompaniment, make this piece suitable for middle school, high school, and adult choirs of varying levels — from developing ensembles exploring rich American musical traditions to seasoned groups seeking thoughtful historical repertoire. Its blend of lyrical storytelling and layered harmonies offers both educational and musical rewards, making Buttermilk Hill ideal for concerts, contests, or cross-disciplinary study linking music with early American history and folk culture.