# Yankee Doodle

“Yankee Doodle” is an Anglo-American song documented by 1767 that began as British mockery of colonial troops and was later adopted by Americans.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Unknown |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | Documented by 1767 |
| Best for ages | 4–9 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/yankee-doodle/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

Yankee Doodle went to town,
Riding on a pony;
Stuck a feather in his cap,
And called it macaroni.

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 see the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy;
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.

And there was Captain Washington,
And gentlefolks about him,
They say he’s grown so tarnal proud,
He will not ride without ’em.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy;
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.

## How to sing it

1. Begin slowly so everyone can hear the repeated words and the action cue.
2. March to a steady beat, mime riding and placing a feather in a cap, and keep the historical explanation separate from the playful actions.
3. Repeat the song once and invite a different child to lead the cues.

## Common questions

**What do “Yankee” and “doodle” mean in Yankee Doodle?**

The Library of Congress says “Yankee” referred to English colonists, especially New Englanders, by the 1770s, while “doodle” meant a silly person or country bumpkin. The words were originally part of the song’s mockery.

**Was Yankee Doodle always an American patriotic song?**

No. British troops used it to ridicule colonial soldiers before the American Revolution. Americans later adopted the tune and added verses that turned the mockery back on the British.

## Sources

- [Library of Congress — Yankee Doodle](https://www.loc.gov/collections/patriotic-melodies/articles-and-essays/yankee-doodle/)
- [Library of Congress — Today in History, April 19](https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/april-19/)