Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1916 — Yankee Doodle [ARTICLE]

Yankee Doodle

Every boy in the land enjoys "Yan kee Doodle.” The ‘ grand old man” of England, Gladstone said- of this: “The Americans havef'one old song which touched the heart of every pa triot and still ring< on with fresh pow er. It is called by the quaint, but split stirring name of ‘Yankee Doodle.”’ This air came to us ’ey adoption. Its parentage is mysterious. An old history of songs says it was famous vin tage song of France; in another old history it is recorded that the Spaniards claim it; England claims it as an ancient and national ballad, sung bd fore the days of Cromwell; then the Dutchmen come and sa7 U was a song of the low countries. Whatever may be the shadowy tru ditions associated with it, we are toM that it first-appeared in America on the banks of the Hudson in 1755, being introduced into the American camp by a Dr. Sbuckburgh' of the British army Our colonial companions were at that time marching after music quite two centuries old. This Dr. Richard Snuck burgh told them that their music was :ar too old and he promised to them a new song. In b*o days the Dew song was completed; it immediately capti rated the hearts of the troops, and for the time no other song was heard. It became our battle march in the revolution. Dr. Holmes said: "This queei old, plucky, continental, saltpeter and brim stone tune has outsoldiered Its enem ies; altho given to us as a Joke, it ic-d us to our victory.” It has done much for us, and In its reckless, hoydenlsh tempo we see the bravery and the vie tory of our "old heroes. Upon this song was placed the fair name of freedom; ft enhances the glory of old Faneuil HfaH; it was a source of Inspiration to the old orators, and it was taken home by every old soldier and patriot to live forever.