United States History Student Edition

G “Wide Awake Yankee Doodle”

Members of the Know-Nothing Party called on Americans to be “Wide Awake” to the dangers of immigration and the threat that immigrants posed to American democracy. Immigrants spoke different languages and had different ways of life, and many were Roman Catholic—something that nativists, many of whom were Protestant, opposed. This song, written to the tune of “Yankee Doodle,” rallied party members.

PRIMARY SOURCE: SONG Come Uncle Sam, be “Wide Awake,” Too long you have been sleeping, Be on your guard, to crush the snake, That round you has been creeping. For it has almost charmed your eyes, To such imprudent blindness, That it could take you by surprise, And crush you for your kindness. [chorus] Yankee Doodle, Wide Awake, Be silent you should never, Until you drive the popish snake, From off the soil, FOREVER. [end chorus] Our forefathers were “Wide Awake,” When liberty was dawning, They saw what foreigners would take,

[chorus] Yankee Doodle . . . Americans should be “Wide Awake,” For surely you must know, That for our country’s own dear sake, Each man his worth must show. For we are free, and wont submit To intolerance and aggression, From papists , who from foreign lands Come here to rule this nation. [chorus] Yankee Doodle . . . Brave Washington bequeathed to us, The liberty we enjoy, Shall we not claim our rights, and thus

Prove worthy, without alloy . For is he not the father of The country that we love,

And gave us timely warning. Of foreign influence, beware; Our Washington has told us, And time indeed, there’s none to spare, His words they shall embold us.

Shall we then stand and blush with shame, For foreigners who disgrace the same. [chorus] Yankee Doodle . . . — “Wide Awake Yankee Doodle,” by Wm. C. Marion

imprudent lacking wisdom or good judgment embold [embolden] to give boldness or courage to papists a disparaging or insulting term for Roman Catholics alloy something added that lessens value

EXAMINE THE SOURCE 1. Analyzing In the first two stanzas, how does the song describe immigrants and the perceived danger they presented? 2. Interpreting How does the song describe George Washington? What role does Washington play in the song? 3. Making Connections Why do you think this song was written to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”? How might referring to the original “Yankee Doodle” fit into the nativist message?

American Song Sheets Library of Congress Rare Books and Special Collections.

Life in the North and the South 375