Yankee Doodle

The song Yankee Doodle, originally a British insult, was transformed into an American anthem of defiance and liberty. The lyrics originally mocked American colonists as simpletons by using “doodle” for a fool and “macaroni” for a foppish, pretentious gentleman. However, American soldiers adopted the tune as a symbol of resistance and pride, turning the song into a celebration of their collective spirit and a defiant anthem during the Revolutionary War.

With knee slaps and historical lyrics, this rendition will have the singers and audience tapping their toes and singing loud and proud.

Yankee Doodle

Originally arranged for a Community Choir’s (adults and youth) patriotic program in Burley, Idaho, this FUN arrangement of the traditional American song, sung by early colonists, features verses less frequently heard. The syncopation, knee slaps, and explanatory narration make it a perfect song for any patriotic production.

Voicing: Treble/Baritone Duet

Lyrics

Yankee Doodle

Traditional US patriot song

Arr by Ann Luke Bailey

Yankee Doodle came to town

A riding on a pony.

He stuck a feather in his hat

And called it ‘ma-ca-ro-ni’!

Yankee Doodle, keep it up,

Yankee Doodle dandy,

Mind the music and the step,

And with the girls be (knee slap) handy.

And there was Captain Washington

Upon a slapping stallion

He set the world along in rows

In hundreds and in millions.

Cornwallis led a country dance,

The like was never seen, sir

Much retrograde and much advance,

And all with General Greene, sir.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up,

Yankee Doodle dandy,

Mind the music and the step,

And with the girls be (knee slap) handy.

Sing Yan-kee Doo-dle, that fine tune,

Americans delight in;

It suits for peace, it suits for fun…

It suits as well for (fist up, stomp) FIGHT-IN’

Yankee Doodle, keep it up,

Yankee Doodle dandy,

Mind the music and the step, yes, mind the step, the step!

And with the girls be (clap) handy!

Download