Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Yankee Doodle’s Expedition to Rhode Island

By Revolutionary Songs and Ballads

FROM Lewis, Monsieur Gerard came,

To Congress in this town, sir,

They bowed to him, and he to them,

And then they all sat down, sir.

Begar, said Monsieur, one grand coup

You shall bientot behold, sir;

This was believed as gospel true,

And Jonathan felt bold, sir.

So Yankee Doodle did forget

The sound of British drum, sir,

How oft it made him quake and sweat,

In spite of Yankee rum, sir.

He took his wallet on his back,

His rifle on his shoulder,

And veowed Rhode Island to attack,

Before he was much older.

In dread array their tattered crew

Advanced with colors spread, sir,

Their fifes played Yankee doodle, doo,

King Hancock at their head, sir.

What numbers bravely crossed the seas

I cannot well determine,

A swarm of rebels and of fleas,

And every other vermin.

Their mighty hearts might shrink they thought,

For all flesh only grass is,

A plenteous store they therefore brought

Of whiskey and molasses.

They swore they’d make bold Pigot squeak,

So did their good ally, sir,

And take him prisoner in a week,

But that was all my eye, sir.

As Jonathan so much desired

To shine in martial story,

D’Estaing with politesse retired,

To leave him all the glory.

He left him what was better yet,

At least it was more use, sir,

He left him for a quick retreat,

A very good excuse, sir.

To stay, unless he ruled the sea,

He thought would not be right, sir,

And Continental troops, said he,

On islands should not fight, sir,

Another cause with these combined,

To throw him in the dumps, sir,

For Clinton’s name alarmed his mind,

And made him stir his stumps, sir.