(Vol. iv., p. 344.)
The subjoined song is copied from a _Collection of English Songs_ in
the British Museum (G. 310-163.). The Catalogue gives the conjectural
date of 1775. In the _History of the American Revolution_ (published by
the Society for Diffusion of Useful Knowledge), p. 22., is an anecdote
referring to Lord Percy having, in 1775, caused his band to play "Yankee
Doodle" in _derision_ of the Americans: but I infer, from the Earl of
Carlisle's Lecture on his Travels in America, that it is _now_ used by
the Americans as their _national tune_.
YANKEE DOODLE; OR, THE NEGROE'S FAREWELL TO
AMERICA.
_The Words and Music by T. L._
1.
"Now farewell, my Massa, my Missey, adieu!
More blows or more stripes will me e'er take from you,
Or will me come hither or thither me go,
No help make you rich by de sweat of my brow.
Yankee doodle, yankee doodle dandy, I vow,
Yankee doodle, yankee doodle, bow wow wow.
2.
"Farewell all de yams, and farewell de salt fish,
De bran and spruce beer, at you all me cry, Pish!
Me feed upon pudding, roast beef, and strong beer,
In Englan', old Englan', when me do get dere.
Yankee doodle, &c.
3.
"Farewell de musketo, farewell de black fly,
And rattle-snake too, who may sting me to dye;
Den Negroe go 'ome to his friends in Guinee,
Before dat old Englan' he 'ave a seen'e.
Yankee doodle, &c.
4.
"Farewell de cold winter, de frost and de snow,
Which cover high hills and de valleys so low,
And dangling and canting, swearing and drinking,
Taring and feath'ring for ser'ously thinking.
Yankee doodle, &c.
5.
"Den hey! for old Englan' where Liberty reigns,
Where Negroe no beaten or loaded with chains;
And if Negroe return, O! may he be bang'd,
Chain'd, tortur'd, and drowned,--or let him be hang'd!
Yankee doodle," &c.