Yankee Doodle

X:5
T:Yankee Doodle
M:2/4
L:1/8
S:William Sydney Mount manuscripts.
N:The tune appears on a page with a handwritten playing guide for the fife or tin
N:whistle, addressed to John B. Mount and dated March 26th, 1861. At the bottom of the
N:page he says: “For musical instructions, ask your Father, or , look at his instruction
N:book, about time & the characters of the notes & the proportion they bear to each
N:other. ‘Howe’s Violin Instructor’ will teach you. If you will apply yourself. I hope you
N:will. WSM.” Elias Howe, of Boston, published several instructors and tutors in the
N:mid-19th century, as well as a massive collection of tunes called Musician’s Omnibus.
N:The ‘A’ part is the part that is now familiar to modern ears, however, the ‘B’ part
N:appears to be in a transitional phase from 18th century versions, such as that printed by
N:Aird (1782) and the one familiar to us today. Modern versions have dropped the ‘c’
N:natural note, a modal feature, and remain in the major key.
Z:Transcribed by Andrew Kuntz
K:D
d2 ef | dfec | d2 ef | d2 cA | d2 ef | gfed | cABc | d2d2 :|
|: d2 BG | Bd =c2 | ABAG | FG A2 | d2 BG Bd =c2 | Adce | d2d2 :|]

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