July 2, 2009
“Yankee Doodle went to town a-riding on a pony. Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni." - Revolutionary War ditty
As we celebrate the 4 th of July this weekend, perhaps whistling the song Yankee Doodle is just what we need to do as we reflect on the birth of our nation, 233 years ago in 1776.
We must never forget that day and why it is important either. Whistling and singing Yankee Doodle might help us do just that, if we do it with the gusto John Adams professed.
As I researched the history of July 4 th to rejuvenate my memory, I remembered that July 2 nd not July 4 th was the official date when the Second Continental Congress voted in a closed session to separate the American colonies from Great Britain. But the date July 4th is the date shown on the Declaration of Independence document, the date when the colonial government announced its independence to the world.
The exact date does not really matter anyway as John Adams wrote in this now-famous note to his wife at the end of the colonists' world-changing congress. What does matter is how we remember and celebrate our nation's birth.
John Adams penned: "The second day (later celebrated as the fourth) of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated at the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
I like what John Adams had to say.
In fact, I wish patriotism would come back in style with the fervor John Adams describes.
I wish we could unabashedly sing Yankee Doodle Dandy's light-hearted and whimsical tune without a cynic raising an annoyed eyebrow.
I wish folks would stick a small American flag in a flowerpot with pride, display an official flag with dignity and respect, and never, ever belittle it.
I wish the citizens of this great country would feel proud, very proud, of their fine country, the best experiment in freedom ever envisioned. I wish we would never hang our heads about the United States of America, I wish.
I wish when fireworks explode over ballparks and city parks this July 4 th , that we collectively get a lump in our throats, that we swell with pride as the national anthem is sung.
I wish we would do all these patriotic things again without apology as we did in days and years gone by.
And yes, I wish folks would walk around whistling the light-hearted and whimsical Yankee Doodle Dandy refrain. It would bring a smile to my face. It would make you feel good, even if you are dressed up, as my cousin Al used to say.
Hey, Kermit the Frog sang Yankee Doodle and so did Barney and Friends. Caroline Kennedy named her pony "Macaroni", and it is the official State Song of Connecticut.
How can you go wrong with that? It won't hurt you, it will help you.
So won't you join me this Fourth of July by taking John Adams' words to heart and sing happily and proudly:
"Father and I went down to camp, along with Captain Gooding. And there were all the men and boys as thick as hasty pudding. There was Captain Washington upon a slapping stallion; a giving orders to his men, I guess there was a million.
Yankee Doodle went to town a-riding on a pony. Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni. Yankee Doodle, keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Mind the music and the step and with the girls be handy."
Happy Fourth of July!
