Fourth of July

Yankee Doodle Four-Year-Old
   Is a hero big and old,
   On his breast a sash of red,
On his thigh a sword of lath,
A red cannon by the path,
   The true, starry banner o’er him,
   And a loud drum hung before him.

Colonel, captain, garrison,
Gunner, drummer, all in one:
   Tyrant kinds and Hessian foes
   Cannot stand before his blows—
Nay, nor any one with earts
Dear mammas nor grenadiers!

Give him room and let him bang,
Batter, clatter, crackle, clang
   Rub-a-dub, hurrah, and charge,
   Strike and wheel and tramp at large.

Fierce with valor, hewing down
Mullein-head and thistle-crown;
   ‘Tis the Fourth day of July,
   And his loyal heart beats high.

As the good Boy Washington,
Slashing cherry-trees for fun,
   When to noble manhood grown
   Drove his hatchet through a throne;
So my Yankee Four-Year-Old,
Now in fancy battles bold,
   Shall grow up in courage strong,
   To smite many a cruel wrong!