Yankee Doodle is a quintessential American song, instantly recognizable and deeply embedded in the nation’s cultural fabric. While seemingly simple and lighthearted, the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Song Words” carry a rich history and have evolved in meaning over centuries. This article delves into the lyrics of both the kid-friendly and full versions of Yankee Doodle, exploring its historical context and enduring significance.
Yankee Doodle Lyrics (Kids Version)
This shorter, simpler version is often taught to children, making it an early introduction to American patriotic songs. Here are the “Yankee Doodle song words” for the kids’ rendition:
Yankee Doodle went to town
A-riding on a pony
He stuck a feather in his hat
And called it macaroni
Chorus
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
And with the 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
And there was Captain Washington
And gentle folks about him
They say he’s grown so tarnal proud
He will not ride without them.
Chorus
Yankee Doodle Lyrics (Full Version)
The full version of “Yankee Doodle song words” expands upon the narrative, offering a more detailed, and often satirical, glimpse into the times of its origin.
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 the girls be handy.
Fath’r and I went down to camp,
Along with Captain Gooding,
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
Chorus
And there we saw a thousand men
As rich as Squire David,
And what they wasted every day,
I wish it could be saved.
Chorus
The ‘lasses they eat it every day,
Would keep a house a winter;
They have so much, that I’ll be bound,
They eat it when they’ve mind ter.
Chorus
And there I see a swamping gun
Large as a log of maple,
Upon a deuced little cart,
A load for father’s cattle.
Chorus
And every time they shoot it off,
It takes a horn of powder, and makes a noise like father’s gun,
Only a nation louder.
Chorus
I went as nigh to one myself
As ‘Siah’s inderpinning;
And father went as nigh again,
I thought the deuce was in him.
Chorus
Cousin Simon grew so bold,
I thought he would have cocked it;
It scared me so I shrinked it off
And hung by father’s pocket.
Chorus
And Cap’n Davis had a gun,
He kind of clapt his hand on’t
And stuck a crooked stabbing iron
Upon the little end on’t
Chorus
And there I see a pumpkin shell
As big as mother’s bason,
And every time they touched it off
They scampered like the nation.
Chorus
I see a little barrel too,
The heads were made of leather;
They knocked on it with little clubs
And called the folks together.
Chorus
And there was Cap’n Washington,
And gentle folks about him;
They say he’s grown so ‘tarnal proud
He will not ride without em’.
Chorus
He got him on his meeting clothes,
Upon a slapping stallion;
He sat the world along in rows,
In hundreds and in millions.
Chorus
The flaming ribbons in his hat,
They looked so tearing fine, ah,
I wanted dreadfully to get
To give to my Jemima.
Chorus
I see another snarl of men
A digging graves they told me,
So ‘tarnal long, so ‘tarnal deep,
They ‘tended they should hold me.
Chorus
It scared me so, I hooked it off,
Nor stopped, as I remember,
Nor turned about till I got home,
Locked up in mother’s chamber.
Chorus
The History Behind Yankee Doodle Song Words
The tune of “Yankee Doodle” predates the lyrics we know today, possibly originating from a nursery rhyme or a Dutch harvest song. It gained prominence during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). British troops, unimpressed by the colonial soldiers, wrote satirical lyrics to mock the perceived lack of sophistication and rough appearance of the “Yankees” – the New England colonists.
The term “Yankee Doodle” itself was a derogatory term used by the British. “Yankee” was a general slur, and “Doodle” meant a simpleton or a fool. The lyrics poked fun at the colonists’ rustic clothing and unsophisticated manners. The line “Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni” is particularly telling. “Macaroni” referred to a fashionable style of the time, associated with wealthy, foppish men in England. The British were mocking the colonists for their naive attempts at fashion and sophistication.
However, during the American Revolutionary War, the colonists cleverly turned the song on its head. They embraced “Yankee Doodle” as a badge of honor, singing it with pride and defiance. The song became a symbol of American spirit and resilience. The lyrics evolved over time, with American versions celebrating their own ingenuity and challenging British authority.
Meaning and Interpretation of Yankee Doodle
Today, “Yankee Doodle song words” are largely devoid of their original satirical intent. The song is now a beloved patriotic anthem, especially popular among children. It represents a sense of American identity, albeit one rooted in a complex history of both mockery and empowerment.
The repetitive chorus and simple verses make it easy to learn and sing, contributing to its lasting appeal. While the full version lyrics offer a glimpse into the 18th-century context and satire, the core message of “Yankee Doodle” has transformed into one of national pride and spirit. It serves as a reminder of American history and the ability to reclaim and redefine symbols of identity.
