Imagine we are in Yorktown, North America, in the 18th century;
suddenly, you listen to an army band of drummers and fifers marching joyfully and playing this
Yankee Doodle…
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 Goodin',
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty puddin'.
(CHORUS)
And there was Gen'ral Washington,
Upon a slapping stallion,
A-giving orders to his men-
I guess there was a million.
(CHORUS)
A long war then was fought and won:
The British were defeated,
And Yankee Doodle was the march
To which their troops retreated.
AFTER LISTENING,
Search about this song historical background. Can you answer to these questions or are you a real YANKEE DOODLE? The lyrics will help you!
a) Was this song first sung by British or American troops? Search an explanation for your answer.
b) Who were the Yankees? What “long war was fought” then? Which troops “retreated” at the end?
c) Why is this considered today as an American patriotic song? Base your arguments on history and on some stanzas of the song, if possible.
d) About language:
· “Macaroni” is a term that has to do with fashion; find other words in the song connected to 18th fashions.
· Make the list of the irregular verbs that appear in the lyrics.
· From what language are the expressions “a-riding” and “a-giving” a remainder?
