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Derry Down

"Derry Down" Lyrics, Text Format
"Derry Down" Lyrics, Text Format


A minor tonality, an advanced interval La/So (minor 7th), and a history lesson on the American Revolutionary War.

 

 

 

Description

  • Grade: Third
  • Origin: USA – Song of the American Revolution
  • Key: D minor – pitched in F Major
  • Time: 6/8
  • Form: staves: ABCDE – through composed
  • Rhythm: intermediate: | ti ti ti ti ti ti |
    | ti ti ti ta ti ri | ti ti ti ta ti | ta/ ta/ | ti ti ti ta |
  • Pitches: intermediate: La Ti Do Re Mi So La
  • Intervals: advanced: La/So, So\Do, Mi/La, So\Re, Mi/La\Mi, Mi\Do, Ti/Re\Ti
  • Musical Elements: notes: dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, sixteenth; pickup beat, minor tonality where the 6th (La) is the tonal center
  • Key Words: American Revolution, song of the American Revolution, war with England, American history, USA history, USA geography, world geography, revolutionary war, Boston, Bostonian, Liberty Tree, chance, town, houses, stores, tumbling, Old England, King Hancock, yaws, fear, swear, doctor, hard pill, brave, reinforcement, pumpkins sweat, drums, rattle, devil, himself, sight, fleet, army, arrive, bleak, island, drive, please, half a score

“Derry Down” 
1.

You simple Bostonians, I’d have you beware,
Of your Liberty Tree, I would have you take care,
For if that we chance to return to the town,
Your houses and stores will come tumbling down.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
2.

If you will not agree to Old England’s laws,
I fear that King Hancock will soon get the yaws
But he need not fear, for I swear we will,
For the want of a doctor give him a hard pill.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.

3.

A brave reinforcement, we soon think to get;
Then we will make you poor pumpkins to sweat:
Our drums they’ll rattle, and then you will run
To the devil himself, from the sight of a gun.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.

4.

Our fleet and our army, they soon will arrive,
Then to a bleak island, you shall not us drive.
In every house, you shall have three or four,
And if that will not please you, you shall have half a score.
Derry down, down, hey derry down.
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"Derry Down" Music Format		 beats
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