Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-11-13
ANECD0TAL LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled for the In
dependent by W. G.
YANKEE DOODLE.


This tune has so long been con-
sidered a national property, that
most persons have supposed it pure
" American in its origin. Yet it
appears that previous to the time Of
Charles /, an air somewhat similar
to it was common among the peas
antry Of England.
The air, during the time of Crom-
well was set to various ditties in rid
icule of the Protector. One of
these began with the words, "The
Roundheads and the Cavaliers.i
Another set Of words was called
"Yankee Doodle, 'and has through
out striking resemblance to some
of the popular stanzas which we're
common In the American colonies
from the time OF their origin to the
Revolution, and, in some sections of
the country, even to the present
day. The song Lydia Locket, or
Lucy Locket, has been sung to the
same tune from time immemorial.
This air seems to have been the
foundation of Yankee Doodle.
During the French war of ITS,
the provincial army sent against
Niagara and Frontenac, was com.
manded by Governor Shirley, of
Massachusetts, and Gen. johnson of
New York. Through the early part
OF the season the army lay encamp-
ed on the Hudson, a little below AL
bany. While the troops were in this
position, they were continually re-
ceiving recruits from the New Eng
land states, in the form of drafts
and volunteers. They came in,
company after company, just as
they had issued from their farms
and firesides, and their appearance
is said to have equaled any speei.
men of the ludicrous ever exhibited,
save and except the famous company
of Sir John Fslstaf. Some of them
had long hair, some had short, and
some wore enormous wigs. Some
had long coats, some had short ones,
and some had no coats at all. Their
accoutrements were equally varied,
and although furnished the most
grotesque and amusing spectacle
that can we'll be imagined. They
afforded plenty of sport for the
British regulars.
The music played by the volun-
teers was such as had been out of
date in the British army for centur-
les, and contributed finely to add
point to the amusement afforded by
the whole scene. In the British
army at that time was one DIR.
Shackburg, a surgeon, who was Q
skillful musician, and great wag.
The doctor Immediately turned his
attention to the Yankee Volunteers
and determined to pass off a joke by
composing tune for their particu.
lar use. He accordingly remodeled
the old air of Yankee Doodle, and
called it Yankee Doodle /; and with
all the gravity imaginable, recon-
mended it to the newcomers as one
Of the most celebrated airs that his
country had ever produced.
The volunteers admired the tune /;
and, Notwithstanding the hearty
laugh and noisy ridicule of the regu.
lars, it soon became a general favor
lite through the whole American
army.
Thus originated an air in pure
levity and ridicule, which many q
British soldier in a few years bad
cause to consider the death-knell Of
all his glory.
The same soul-stirring strains
were heard, at subsequent period,
on Bunker Hill; the same on the
plains of Yorktown and other fields
of battle the same animated and
fred the heroes of the civil conflict,
and the came strains will continue
to warm the American heart so long
as music hath charms to inspire the
breast and rouse the soul to action.