George Seal | + Follow Poet |
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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 )

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