Yankee Doodle
In 1755 a British army medical surgeon Richard Shuckburgh, while campaigning in
Rensselaer New York, penned the nursery rhyme Yankee Doodle. This was used to mock
the Colonists by the British soldiers, with whom they served in the seven years French and
Indian war.
The word Yankee was of Dutch origin, meaning a simpleton, Doodle
from low German a country hick, and dandy a middle - class man impersonating the
British aristocracy, who with the fashion of the day would wear a macaroni. This was an
elaborate wig embellished with ornate decorations. Also speaking in an effeminate
manner.
After the seven years American war, the British Crown, who now controlled the thirteen
States from New Hampshire in the North to Georgia in the South, increased taxes on the
Colonists, to pay their fair share of the war. On July the fourth 1776 the Continental
Congress declared independence from Great Britain, resulting in many battles and
skirmishes. The words and tune of Yankee Doodle which was once an insult, became a
song of pride, used to taunt the much vaunted power of the British army. After the British
surrendered to the Colonists and the French, many verses were added extolling the
struggles to achieve their ultimate victory. It is sung patriotically in the United States
today, and is the state anthem of Connecticut.
Yankee Doodle went to town
A- riding on a pony,
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni.
( chorus )
Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
Mind the music and the step
And with th girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp,
Along with Captain Gooding,
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
( chorus )
Copyright ©
George Seal
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