NATIONAL and PATRIOTIC SONGS OF THE United States of America. It is not within the province of this collection to enter into the history of the numerous National Songs belonging to the United States, nor to give the songs themselves, except in so far as may be necessary to contrast them with the parodies which have been written on them. Those desirous of further information on an interesting topic should refer to the following works: Rebel Rhymes and Rhapsodies, collected by Frank Moore. New York. G. P. Putnam, 1864. Poetry of the Civil War, selected by R. G. White. New York, 1866. A History of National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, by Walter Hamilton, in Our Ocean Highways, London, 1872. The Songs of the War, by Brander Matthews, in The Century Magazine, August 1887. The Dictionary of Music and Musicians, by Sir George Grove. London. Macmillan & Co. The following is a list of the more important songs, Yankee Doodle. 1755. Hail Columbia! 1788. By Joseph Hopkinson. Adapted to the tune of "The President's March." This was always sung when George Washington went to the theatre. The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key, and first printed in the Baltimore American, shortly after the defeat of the British by the Americans at Fort Mc Henry. My Country 'tis of thee, sung to the air of God save the King." As we stole this air from the Germans (or, as some say, from the French), so the citizens of the United States have appropriated it as one of their national songs. John Brown's Body, 1861. Marching through Georgia, written and composed by Henry C. Work, near the close of the Civil War. Battle Hymn of the Republic, by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, first published in The Atlantic Monthly. 1862. We are coming, Father Abraäm, by John S. Gibbons, of New York. 1862. Mr. George F. Root, of Chicago, was both the author and composer of the three following war songs: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp; the Boys are Marching. The Battle Cry of Freedom. This was often ordered to be sung as the men marched into action. More than once its strains arose on the battlefield and made obedience more easy to the lyric command to rally round the flag. With true American humor the gentle lines of "Mary had a Little Lamb" were fitted snugly to the tune; and many a regiment shortened a weary march, or went gayly into action, singing, "Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow, Shouting the battle cry of freedom; And everywhere that Mary went The lamb was sure to go, Shouting the battle cry of freedom." Just before the Battle, Mother. When Johnny comes marching Home. Written by P. S. Gilmore, in 1863. My Maryland, by James R. Randall. April, 1861. (Southern States.) Advance the flag of Dixie, by General Albert Pike. 1861. (South.) There were several versions of this song, one of the earliest having been sung in New Orleans by Mrs. John Wood in the Burlesque "Pocahontas," in 1860. SOUTHRONS, hear your country call you! To arms! to arms! to arms! in Dixie ! For Dixie's land we take our stand To arms To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie ! ALBERT PIKE. In the words of the Hon. Stephen Salisbury, "Yankee Doodle is national property, but it is not a treasure of the highest value. It has some antiquarian claims for which its friends do not care. It cannot be disowned, and it will not be disused. In its own words, 'It suits for feasts, it suits for fun, It exists now as an instrumental and not as a vocal performance. Its words are never heard, and, I think would not be acceptable in either public or private American entertainments." Sir George Grove, in his Dictionary of Music and Musicians, (Macmillan, London), fully examines the various theories as to the origin of this song. He inclines to the opinion that the words were written by Dr. Schuckburgh about 1755, with the title "The Yankee's Return from Camp." The tune was printed in 1784 in an opera by Arnold, entitled "Two to one," where it is first properly styled Yankee Doodle. There has been much discussion as to the derivation of the word Yankee, one theory being that it is the Indian way of pronouncing English. The Indians cannot sound the letter 1, so they lengthen and soften the vowels. Hence the more advanced among them only manage to pronounce English as Eengeesh, while a more common sound would be Angees, or Ankees. Possibly the Indians were more familiar with the French form Anglais. A writer in Notes and Queries stated the above fact, citing Hutchinson's "History of Massachusetts as an authority; he added "Doodle is surely only an imitation of the crowing of a cock." The meaning, if any, of Yankee Doodle is "New Englanders, be on the alert, or "show your spirit." Another writer quotes a derivation suggested by Thierry, that the word Yankee arose from the collision and jeerings of the Dutch and English in New York and New England, and that it is from the Dutch Jan-pronounced Yan-John, with the common diminutive YANKEE Boy is trim and tall, And never over fat, Sir, At dance or frolic, hop or ball, As nimble as a rat, Sir. Yankee doodle guard your coast, Fear not then, nor threat nor boast, He's always out on training day, Chorus-Yankee Doodle, etc. His door is always open found, His cyder of the best, Sir, His board with pumpkin-pie is crown'd, Tho' rough and little is his farm, His hand is strong, his heart is warm, His country is his pride and boast, Chorus-Yankee Doodle, etc. The following verses are cited from an American Paper, "The Transcript," in Willis's Current Notes for 1852: THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE Doodle. After the manner of the old Continental Ballad writers. And swore that Jonathan should have That no elections should be held, Across the briny waters! "And now," says he, "I'll tax the tea Of all his sons and daughters." Then down he sat in burly state, Called "Yankee doodle dandy." John sent the tea from o'er the sea But whether Hyson or Bohea, Then Jonathan to pout began— "I'll drink no tea, by Jove !" so he Big words, and looks to bandy, Whose martial band, when near the land, I've told you now the origin Which Johnny Bull dislikes as "dull In chorus full and hearty On land and main, we breathe the strain, No matter how we rhyme the words, "Yankee doodle dandy." GEORGE P. MORRIS. A parody of "Yankee Doodle," too coarse for republication here, will be found in An Impartial Collection of Addresses, Songs, Squibs, &c, published during the Liverpool Election, October. 1812. It is principally directed against Henry (afterwards Lord) Brougham, one of the candidates. THE mighty Brougham's come to town, To sweep away corruption, And other filth, but ten to one, He'll meet with interruption. Yankee Doodle, etc. AN APPENDIX TO "YANKEE Doodle." YANKEE DOODLE sent to Town And laugh'd at his position. They thought him all the world behind; A goney, muff, or noodle; Laugh on, good people-never mindSays quiet Yankee Doodle. Chorus.-Yankee Doodle, &c. Yankee Doodle had a craft, A rather tidy clipper, And he challenged, while they laughed, The Britishers to whip her. These verses are taken from a long parody which appeared in Punch (London), August 17, 1861, shortly after the defeat of the Northerners at Manassas Junction. The cartoon represented John Bull sneering and jeering at the retreating Yankee soldiers, and the tone of the whole poem was most insulting, whilst it showed that Punch (following in the wake of The Times) sympathised with the Confederate States. It actually classed the protective duties levied by the Northern States for the encouragement of native industry, as equally immoral with the institution of slavery, which had given rise to so many horrors in the South : "These for negro slavery strike, Yankee Doodle is the pot, Southerner the kettle; Equal morally, if not Men of equal mettle. Unfortunately The Times was then considered abroad to represent the public opinion of Great Britain, and much ill feeling arose in consequence of its misrepresentations. At one time it seemed as if this country would become embroiled in the war, and what was worse, on the side of the slave owners. During this excitement many songs and parodies were written about us in the States which were decidedly uncomplimentary, reminding Britons that in their previous wars with America they had suffered almost invariable defeat. Several of these parodies are given in The Poetry of the Civil War (one, an especially bitter one, is entitled "John Bull, my jo John,") but it would serve no useful purpose to repeat them, now that the ill feeling has passed away with the causes which led to it. Mr. James R. Lowell's dignified protest in the Biglow Papers may, however, be quoted :- YANKEE DOODLE had a mind To whip the Southern traitors, Yankee Doodle-doodle doo, And so to keep his courage up, Yankee Doodle said he found By all the census figures, That he could starve the rebels out, Yankee Doodle made a speech; A YANKEE SOLDIER'S SONG. I HEARKENED to the thundering noise, Yankee boys will fight it out! They said that traitors tore our flag, I always loved the striped rag. ; Yankee boys will fight it out, &c. I knew them Southern chaps, high bred, Down South I marched, rat-tat-a-plan, I held my head up like a man ; A righteous cause brings luck, sir. From Poetry of the Civil War, selected by R. G. White. New York, 1866, COCK-A-JOOdle. MR. STANLEY went to found A Congo trading station. The Stars and Stripes he hoisted up, He gave them "tricolours" all round, Mr. Stanley, very cross, Called de Brazza "Poodle!" M. de Brazza said, "Pooh, pooh! You're one Yankee Doodle! Whilst the natives took the flags, As our view discloses, Made them serve as coverings, And to blow their noses! Truth Christmas Number. 1882. RANDY CHURCHILL. RANDY CHURCHILL'S gone to pot, And that's the last of Randy. When he thought that he was great, Then a somersault he threw, Still the wheels will move, no doubt, That Brummagem Disraeli. American Paper. January, 1887. :0: JOHN BROWN'S BODY. The origin of this celebrated anti-slavery song is obscure and involved. John Brown attempted to incite the negroes to rebel against slavery, and although he did not succeed in this, he, with a few fanatical followers, seized a small fort at Harper's Ferry. The United States troops attacked them, captured or killed Brown's followers, and Brown himself was hanged on December 2, 1859. Insignificant as was this episode, it was the warning of the coming storm between North and South, and was the death knell of slavery. "John Brown's Body" appears to have been first adopted as a marching song by the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Fletcher Webster. The soldiers of this regiment sang it as they marched down Broadway in New York, July 24, 1861, on their way from Boston to the front. A RADICAL SONG. To the tune of "John Brown's Body lies mouldering in the Grave" RAISE a shout of gladness for the dawning of the day, Chorus. Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, As we go marching on. Tory knaves oppressed us in the ages long ago, Joseph's coat of colour now is fluttering in the wind, Joseph and his brethren are the leaders of the blind, Joseph and his "gentlemen " must all be left behind As we go marching on. Rally round the standard of our great democracy, Rally round your leader, boys, and on to victory, Rally as your fathers did, and Ireland shall be free, As we go marching on. |