Yankee Doodle
Revolutionary War anthem
Yankee Doodle is a patriotic American song dating to the Revolutionary War era, often sung by children: Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony.
The title character is a naive or unsophisticated American—originally a British mockery that colonists adopted with defiant pride.
The phrase can describe anything quintessentially or stereotypically American.
Pleasing sequence of notes
- tuneMusical sequence of notes
- lyricsWritten words for music
- chorusSingers performing together
- verseMetered poetic passage
fife · drum · ditty · jingle · refrain · ballad · anthem · nursery rhyme
Colonial uprising against Britain
- colonialOf occupied territories
- 1776American founding year
- Continental ArmyColonial rebel military force
- MinutemenColonial instant-ready militia
musket · tricorn · fife and drum · Lexington · Concord · Bunker Hill · independence · Founding Fathers
Cloth symbol or signal
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
anthem · Fourth of July · American spirit · national identity · symbol · unity · heritage · tradition
Ceremonial public procession
- drumbeatRhythmic percussion sound
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- marching bandMobile musical ensemble
- quickstepFast-paced ballroom dance
military march · procession · formation · drill · Independence Day · veterans parade
Satirical imitation
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- reclaimedTaken back; salvaged
defiance · subversion · jest · lampoon · self-deprecation · swagger · appropriation · wit
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
verse · fife · drum · ditty · jingle · refrain · ballad · anthem · nursery rhyme · folk song
Revolutionary War
Colonial uprising against Britain
- colonialOf occupied territories
- 1776American founding year
- Continental ArmyColonial rebel military force
Minutemen · musket · tricorn · fife and drum · Lexington · Concord · Bunker Hill · independence · Founding Fathers · George Washington
flag
Cloth symbol or signal
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
pride · anthem · Fourth of July · American spirit · national identity · symbol · unity · heritage · tradition · celebration
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- drumbeatRhythmic percussion sound
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- marching bandMobile musical ensemble
quickstep · military march · procession · formation · drill · Independence Day · veterans parade
parody
Satirical imitation
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
reclaimed · defiance · subversion · jest · lampoon · self-deprecation · swagger · appropriation · wit
American
From the U.S.
- colonistPerson inhabiting new territory
- New EnglanderNortheast U.S. resident
- monikerInformal designation for someone
- Colonial MusicChester, shape-note singing, folk hymns, fife, broadside ballads
- War SongsLa Marseillaise, Anchors Aweigh, Rule Britannia, Dixie, Taps
- Revolutionary SongsChester, Battle of Trenton, Bunker Hill
- patriotic musicnational anthem, patriotic songs, The Star-Spangled Banner, patriotic music, God Save the Queen
- Famous SongsJingle Bells, Silent Night, Amazing Grace, Auld Lang Syne, Ode to Joy
- Campfire SongsKumbaya, Tarzan
Yankee Doodlehymn
Religious song of praise
dirge · requiem · Amazing Grace · funeral march · national anthem