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 Doodles Expedition to Rhode Island
By Revolutionary Songs and BalladsF
To Congress in this town, sir,
They bowed to him, and he to them,
And then they all sat down, sir.
You shall bientot behold, sir;
This was believed as gospel true,
And Jonathan felt bold, sir.
The sound of British drum, sir,
How oft it made him quake and sweat,
In spite of Yankee rum, sir.
His rifle on his shoulder,
And veowed Rhode Island to attack,
Before he was much older.
Advanced with colors spread, sir,
Their fifes played Yankee doodle, doo,
King Hancock at their head, sir.
I cannot well determine,
A swarm of rebels and of fleas,
And every other vermin.
For all flesh only grass is,
A plenteous store they therefore brought
Of whiskey and molasses.
So did their good ally, sir,
And take him prisoner in a week,
But that was all my eye, sir.
To shine in martial story,
D’Estaing with politesse retired,
To leave him all the glory.
At least it was more use, sir,
He left him for a quick retreat,
A very good excuse, sir.
He thought would not be right, sir,
And Continental troops, said he,
On islands should not fight, sir,
To throw him in the dumps, sir,
For Clinton’s name alarmed his mind,
And made him stir his stumps, sir.