"Bonaparte's Retreat" is an old fiddle tune with a great melody and is a reference to Napoleon Bonaparte’s disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812, which led to his downfall and finally ended the danger that he would invade England.  Tune is most likely of Irish origin and is popular in bluegrass circles.

In 1937, Alan Lomax, while travelling through Kentucky, recorded violinist William Hamilton Stepp playing "Bonaparte's Retreat."  The song has been covered by the Skillet Lickers (Gig Tanner & Reilly Puckett), Willie Nelson, Pee Wee King, Doc Watson, Glen Campbell, and countless others.