THE YANKEE DOODLE BOY (YANKEE DOODLE DANDEE, 1942)

“My mother thanks you, my father thanks you,

my sister thanks you, and I thank you.” – George M. Cohan

James Cagney is in pure top form as George M. Cohan, an entertainer who grew up with his performing family during vaudeville days. One of the best musicals ever made not to mention Cagney identified with gangster flicks can withstand any established singer-actors.


THE YANKEE DOODLE DANDY BOY
sung by: James Cagney

I'm the kid that's all the candy
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
I'm glad I am
So's Uncle Sam
I'm a real live Yankee Doodle
Made my name and fame and boodle
Just like Mister Doodle did, by riding on a pony
I love to listen to the Dixie strain
I long to see the girl I left behind me
That ain't a josh
She's a Yankee, by gosh
Oh, say can you see
Anything about a Yankee that's a phony

Father's name was Hezikiah
Mother's name was Ann Maria
Yanks through and through.
Red, White and Blue
Father was so Yankee-hearted
When the Spanish war was started
He slipped on a uniform and hopped upon a pony
My mother's mother was a Yankee true
My father's father was a Yankee too
That's going some
For the Yankees, by gum
Oh, say can you see
Anything about my pedigree that's phony

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam's
Born on the Fourth of July
I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London, just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy