Yankee Doodle 

Composer  
Lyricist  
Year Published  
Type Traditional
Playing Time  
Comments "A drum corps caught sight of Grant and struck up a popular Negro air.   'What's the fun?' asked Grant, who was tone deaf.  'Why, they are playing, Ain't I glad to get out ob de wilderness,' a staffer answered.  Grant laughed.   'Well, with me a musical joke always requires explanation.  I know only two tunes.  One is Yankee Doodle, and the other isn't.'"

The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, p. 67.

 
Comments When or where the tune first came into use, nobody knows. There is much amazing obscurity surrounding the origin of the tune. It has been told that the air "Nancy Dawson," by the process of evolution became known as "Yankee Doodle." It antedates the American Revolution by at least one hundred and twenty-five years. It was said that in the reign of Charles the First, of England, that the Puritans, who wore their hair short were nicknamed "roundheads", The term, Yankee or Nankey, was applied in contempt of the Puritans by the followers of Charles the First. The word Yankee is defined in several ways. The Century Dictionary of Names, while considering the origin uncertain, says that according to a common statement, Yankees is a variation of "Yenkees" or "Yengees" or "Yaunghees," a name said to have been given by Massachusetts Indians to the English colonists, being, it is supposed, an Indian corruption of the word English. The word "Doodle" is defined in the old English dictionaries to be trifling, or simple fellow, the term was applied to Cromwell, so it is claimed, in that sense; and a macaroni was a knot on which the feather was fastened.

It is the consensus of opinion among those entitled a hearing in the matter, that "Yankee Doodle," which has long since become an American national air without words, is several hundred years old, and had its beginning either in England, Spain, Hungary, or Holland. Recently (1899) the New York Sun printed an article to prove that the tune was commonly used among Spaniards long before it emigrated to America.

The tune was brought to this country in 1755 when the British were engaged in a war with the French and Indians. The story goes that the militia which were called to aid the British regular army were strangely clad in many colors, some wearing long coats, some short ones, and many having none to wear. In the British army was one Dr. Richard Shackburg, who not only mended shattered limbs, but was somewhat of a musician. One he thought to play a joke upon the militia because grotesque figure and awkward manner, and with much solemnity he presented them the words and music of "Yankee Doodle," commending the tune as one of the most distinguished in martial music. The joke greatly pleased to well dressed British officers, but as a joke it proved a stupendous failure, for the tune became the battle march of the Revolution.

But the original "Yankee Doodle" words which became the song of the Revolution, are said to have been written by a Connecticut gentleman, and it seems that fate did him a kindness by concealing his name.

Notes from Bill Warren, SNGSTR3.CWM