Colonial Williamsburg Audio

Backstory Radio Presents: The American Indian Story

In October 2010, the hosts of Backstory visited Colonial Williamsburg's Kimball Theatre to perform a live show.

The Declaration of Independence

Hear the words that were catalyst to the Revolution, read by Bill Barker, Colonial Williamsburg's Thomas Jefferson.

Patrick Henry's speech: "Give me liberty or give me death"

Richard Schuman interprets the character of Patrick Henry for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He re-creates Patrick Henry's powerful speech.

Coins and treasury notes in colonial America

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

Wages for tradespeople in the 1700s

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

Evidence of household budgets

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

Credit extended to colonial customers

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

African-Americans and money in the 18th century

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

Children and money in the 18th century

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

Studying history

From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

4th of July Concert

Lively dance tunes and spirited medleys are heard on the "The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg 4th of July Concert." Performed live on Market Square July 4, 2005, the music also includes a salute to each of the 13 original colonies and concludes with "The Star Spangled Banner" and the sound of fireworks.

A Grand Entertainment

Since the first organized Christmas celebration drew visitors to Colonial Williamsburg in 1936, nothing quite matches the beauty, imagination, excitement, pageantry, sights, smells, sounds, and grandeur of the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg.

A Delightful Recreation

Collection of some of Thomas Jefferson's favorite musical pieces recorded on period musical instruments in the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

A Numerous and Brilliant Assembly: A Colonial Williamsburg Musical Sampler

Selected performances from nine of Colonial Williamsburg's recordings, including fife and drum marches, chamber music, slave chants, and tavern songs.

Echoes of Revolution

Another fine collection of military and marching music performed by the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg.

In Freedom We're Born: Songs from the American Revolution

New lyrics set to familiar (or some not so familiar) English melodies, recorded using 18th-century instrumentation to recreate the ambience of a small tavern or public meeting place.

Instrumental Music from the Colonial Williamsburg Collection

On this recording of period music, the Cross Violin, Kirckman Harpsichord, Keene Spinet, Broadwood Pianoforte and three flutes are played just as they were in colonial times.

Keys of the Palace

Colonial Williamsburg's Michael Monaco performs Peter Pelham's repertoire of 18th century music on the period keyboard instruments of the Governor's Palace.

Marching Out of Time

Exhilarating fife and drum music that marked the routine of military troops during the 18th century and sent the patriots marching into battle.

Nottingham Ale --Tavern Music from Colonial Williamsburg

Recorded in an authentic tavern environment similar to what might have been experienced in 18th-century Williamsburg.

Songs for a Williamsburg Christmas

Carols, motets, hymns, songs, and madrigals reflect the enthusiastic joy and high spirits of Yuletide celebrations in Williamsburg.

The World Turned Upside Down

The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg carry forward the tradition of military music heard on the battlefields of Yorktown.

Sit Down Servant, Sit Down

Much can be said about this song’s sacred and secular connotations. At first glance, one might assume that the song speaks to its religious roots; however, given the environment in which the song was created, the song can be taken literally. Taken from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s enhanced CD, From Ear to Ear, and adapted from field recordings by John and Alan Lomax, this song was known to have been sung by the 1871 Fisk University Jubilee Singers.

Diamond Joe

Hoe, Emma, Hoe

Daphne

Touch Me Lightly

African American Music

from the Winter 2003-2003 Journal article Juba and Djembe: Music Helps Interpret Slavery

Thoughts on War

A collection of thoughts from colonial interpreters on war. Visit this feature.