Poem by George Pope Morris

The Origin of Yankee Doodle

Once in a time old Johnny Bull
  Flew in a raging fury,
And swore that Jonathan should have
  No trials, sir, by jury;
That no elections should be held
  Across the briny waters:
"And now," said he, "I'll tax the tea
  Of all his sons and daughters."
Then down he sate in burly state,
  And blustered like a grandee,
And in derision made a tune
  Called "Yankee doodle dandy."
"Yankee doodle"--these are the facts--
  "Yankee doodle dandy;
My son of wax, your tea I'll tax--
  You--Yankee doodle dandy!"

John sent the tea from o'er the sea
  With heavy duties rated;
But whether hyson or bohea,
  I never heard it stated.
Then Jonathan to pout began--
  He laid a strong embargo--
"I'll drink no tea, by Jove!"--so he
  Threw overboard the cargo.
Next Johnny sent an armament,
  Big looks and words to bandy,
Whose martial band, when near the land,
  Played--"Yankee doodle dandy."
"Yankee doodle--keep it up!
  Yankee doodle dandy!
I'll poison with a tax your cup--
  You--Yankee doodle dandy!"

A long war then they had, in which
  John was at last defeated;
And "Yankee doodle" was the march
  To which his troops retreated.
Young Jonathan, to see them fly,
  Could not restrain his laughter:
"That tune," said he, "suits to a T,
  I'll sing it ever after!"
Old Johnny's face, to his disgrace,
  Was flushed with beer and brandy,
E'en while he swore to sing no more
  This--"Yankee doodle dandy."
Yankee doodle--ho! ha! he!
  Yankee doodle dandy--
We kept the tune, but not the tea,
  Yankee doodle dandy!

I've told you now the origin
  Of this most lively ditty,
Which Johnny Bull pronounces "dull
  And silly!"--what a pity!
With "Hail Columbia!" it is sung,
  In chorus full and hearty--
On land and main we breathe the strain,
  John made for his tea-party.
No matter how we rhyme the words,
  The music speaks them handy,
And where's the fair can't sing the air
  Of "Yankee doodle dandy!"
"Yankee doodle--firm and true--
  Yankee doodle dandy,
Yankee doodle, doodle doo!
  Yankee doodle dandy!"

1. Thou Hast Woven the Spell
2. Fare Thee Well, Love
3. The Land of Washington
4. The Chieftain's Daughter
5. Thy Will Be Done

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