Notable tragedies have always been the perfect source materials for legends, epic poems, great novels, films, and yes music. The Anglo-Zulu War certainly had more than its share tragedies not the least of which was the shocking fate of the young and dashing Prince Imperial of France, Louis Napoleon.  How he came to be attached the British forces in Zululand and the grisly fate that awaited him there are told fully elsewhere in this website, but that fate did provide the inspiration for at least one piece of music, Charles Coote's Prince Imperial Gallop.

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First published c. 1879, Prince Imperial Gallop was reissued numerous times over the years, at times losing all connection to the young Napoleon. This c. 1900 example was published in the United States by the Deluxe Music Company of New York, with cover art depicting the prince at the head of the small patrol which would soon run headlong into a larger Zulu force.

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Prince Imperial Gallop

Charles Cloote - Composer

Deluxe Music Company - Publisher

Broadway & 28th Street

New York, New York

United States