Quite simply, a Trilogy as performed at Country and Western venues, is a salute in honour of all war dead, including those who are dying in present war zones.
There are a number of different Trilogies and varying ways of performing them, and most clubs or societies have developed special rituals of their own. Throughout, the meaning is the same. To salute those souls of all Flags and Nations who have given their lives in war – both civilian and military.
Because we look towards America for our musical, dress and dance influences, we also look toward there for the acts of war that occurred on the soil of that country as a basis to salute the dead.
The tribute performed by The Country & Western Group is The American Trilogy based on the events that happened during The American Civil War. In 1861 The American Civil War began and raged through the land for four years. All war is folly but this one set family against family, brother against brother and American against American. An estimated 620,000 people lost their lives during that torturous time. That equates to two percent of the total population of the country. No conflict before, or since, has taken such a high toll of a single population. Most of the casualties were not on the battlefields but were either in hospitals, POW camps or civilians.
In memory of all those lost souls we dedicate the American Trilogy.
Both armies in that conflict had battle hymns. Both hymns, as well as a general prayer for all war dead, are represented in the tune “American Trilogy” made famous by Elvis Presley. It is because of this that this tune is used for the American Trilogy.
When present, Indians will be seen to turn their backs on the flag, as the Indian tribes do not recognise the flag. Indeed they still believe that the Americans stole their lands.
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