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The National Music of America. 153
it to him that he might note it down. Clay tried and failed; the secretary of legation tried to warble the melody and also came to grief. Finally, Clay rose to the emergency ; calling his body-servant he said, " Bob, whistle ' Yankee Doodle' to this gentleman," and from the lips of that musical darkey the first European transcription of the tune as an American national song was made. It was quickly harmonised, copied, and the serenade took place as designed.
In summing up the various theories regarding " Yankee Doodle," we regret that it is impossible to reach the domain of certainty ; its origin still remains shrouded in mystery. Inferential proof, however, seems to show that it was an old English country dance, partially resembling an old Dutch children's song; that Doctor Shuckburgh used it to satirise the New Englanders ; that it was a British tune at the beginning of the |
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