Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, YANKEE DOODLE UP TO DATE, by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

YANKEE DOODLE UP TO DATE, by                    
First Line: Old spain took cuba by the hair
Last Line: "those islands will come handy."
Subject(s): Boys; Camping; Children; Camps; Summer Camps; Childhood


I

Old Spain took Cuba by the hair
And fearfully abused her;
Said Uncle Sam, "Hold on, my Dons,
Too long you have misused her."
Yankee Doodle help her out,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"As friendly neighbors don't you think
Free Cubans would be handy?"

When Dons blew up the Yankee Maine,
Said Uncle Sam, "I swear it,
My boys shall clear that Spanish main;
Let him object who dare it."
Yankee Doodle, seize their ships,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"Before our reckoning's done they'll find
It is no school-boy pandy."

II

Then arm in arm, our Uncle sailed
With Dewey round Manila,
Said he, "Now, Dewey, tell me where
Is Spain's renowned flotilla?"
Yankee Doodle, shell'em out,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"You sunk 'em? sho! you must have found
That harbor bottom handy."

Said he, "Now, Dewey, keep your hold
While I run home a minute,
I'll send you loads of soldier boys,
They're dyin' to be in it."
Yankee Doodle hurry up,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"For Dons and Aguinaldo's tribes
My blue coats will come handy."

III

Then Schley went hunting Spanish ships
Around that ocean-lodgin';
Said Uncle then, "I think you'll find
Them occupied in dodgin'!"
Yankee Doodle hunt them out,
Yankee Doodle Dandy;
"They'll bob up here and bob up there,
At bobbin' they are handy."

"We bottled up Cervera's fleet,"
Said Uncle Sam to Hobson,
"We'll find a higher place for you;
You've done a clever job, Son."
Yankee Doodle sink the ship,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"For shutting up the harbor mouth
The Merrimac proved handy."

Said Sampson to the Spanish Don,
"Why don't you come and fight, Sir?"
"Caramba," said that high Señor,
"You've shut me up too tight, Sir."
Yankee Doodle fire away,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"We'll stop the guns and hold the fort,
No more brave words we'll bandy."

When shot were the Virginius' men,
'Twas Santiago did it;
Our boys have settled that old score
Just with the town that bid it.
Yankee Doodle pay your debts,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
At Cáney and at San Juan ridge,
Rough Rider lads were handy.

IV

When Miles to Porto Rico went,
He climbed right up and took it;
The natives cried, "Dear Uncle Sam,
We're good, though we don't look it."
Yankee Doodle—what a brood!
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
Said Uncle Sam, "These new possess
Look just like 'lasses candy."

Then he from Porto Rican hills
Reviewed the situation;
He frowned and puzzled on the job
Of foreign occupation.
Yankee Doodle thought a while,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
Said he, all pensive-like and bland,
And stroked his chin so handy,

"I hear that sweets are not held good
For Uncle Sam's digestion;
You're wrong, my boys, you'll see me thrive
On that Hawaiian question."
Yankee Doodle hoist the flag,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"Now don't forget, your Uncle Sam
Is fond of sugar candy."

"Now Dewey's finished up the job,
Just what he undertook to;
I think I'll put him at the head,
He's pretty safe to hook to."
Yankee Doodle keep your grip,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"We won't go back on Dewey's prize;
My Dewey is a dandy."

"Now Miles," said he, "Let's count 'em up;
Here's Cuba'n Porto Rico;
Hawaii in the other pond,
Ladrones and Philippino."
Yankee Doodle keep your head,
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
"For stepping stones around the world,
Those islands will come handy."





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