Miseries of Waterloo

This video was made for the Facebook Fiddle Tune Bingo on 1 August 2025.
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Several years ago, while doing some research on another matter, I stumbled upon this gem in whilst perusing the archives of the Duke of Wellington. In the archival box, my white-gloved hands came across a brittle piece of yellowing paper. Upon it were hand-drawn, staves and notes placed on the lines. These marks were obviously made from a quill and ink. At the top of the page was scrawled "Die Elenden von Waterloo" or "The Miseries of Waterloo" and the date, 1815. The handwriting looked very familiar - I have seen it before, but only in textbooks. Could be the hand of Beethoven?? Have I stumbled on to an unnoticed piece of music history?
I know Beethoven initially dedicated his 3rd Symphony (1804/1805) to Napoleon before striking it and calling it the "Eroica." And then there's the mighty 5th Piano Concerto - "The Emperor" - that premiered in 1811. Both he and Mozart wrote playful tunes for contra dances, the hottest fad in Europe at the time.
My heart was pounding, and my hands trembled as I stared at the paper trying to sound the notes in my head. The tune felt oh, so familiar, but yet so different. A Prussian influence perhaps? So, the time frame was right, as was the playful, yet dark tone of this newly discovered piece.
I think the heat is getting to me! 104 yesterday. And my imagination is running rampant!