Song Name: Yankee Doodle
Year of Release: 1755
Written by: Richard Shuckburgh and Edward Bangs
Performed by: Never recorded by an artist, though renditions exist
Key Lyrics: “Yankee Doodle went to town/A-riding on a pony/Stuck a feather in his hat/and called it macaroni”
“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”
Description: The song may have originated from Western European folk tunes, but the song as we know it today was based on the experiences of British soldiers who served with American colonists in the French and Indian War. The song was written to mock American soldiers who thought they were stylish because they had feathers in their hats, hence the lyrics "stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni." The song later became a symbol of American pride, was one of the de facto US national anthems before “The Star-Spangled Banner” became official, and is currently the official state song of Connecticut
Why Was It Important: Though initially meant to be derogatory, the song became a symbol of national pride. It is historically inseparable from the Revolution despite it being written before the conflict. The song gained significance after the British victory at Bunker Hill when the lyrics were altered to be more pro-British, and was also played during the British surrender at Saratoga, showing that both sides used it during key moments of the conflict.
Recording:
Yankee Doodle - LYRICS ( American Patriotic Song ) (YouTube rendition)