The Grand Old Duke Of York
English Nursery Rhyme
The Grand Old Duke Of York is a traditional English nursery rhyme and marching song. The rhyme was in circulation by the nineteenth century and is now one of the best-known nursery rhymes in the English-speaking world.The rhyme describes a duke who marches ten thousand men to the top of a hill and then marches them down again. It continues by observing that when the men were up they were up, when they were down they were down, and when they were only halfway up they were neither up nor down.
The "Grand Old Duke of York" is commonly identified as Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763–1827), the second son of King George III. Frederick served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army and commanded British and allied forces during the Flanders Campaign of 1793–1795 in the French Revolutionary Wars.
No contemporary evidence confirms that the rhyme was originally written about Frederick, and other historical figures have been suggested as possible subjects. The exact origin of the rhyme remains uncertain.
The rhyme has been published in several forms, with minor variations in wording. It is traditionally accompanied by marching actions and is widely used in children's games and activities.
Related Scottish Country Dances
The Grand Old DukeThe Grand Old Duke Of York
He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.
And when they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only halfway up,
They were neither up nor down.
Published in https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/articles/zrymd6f.
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