About the author
Frank Moore was a journalist and Revolutionary historian. He published a number of books on the American Revolution during his career in the mid-19th century, including Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution, Diary of the American Revolution and The Patriot Preachers of the American Revolution.
This ballad commemorates the attack upon Savannah. It appeared in Rivington’s Gazette, as “A new song to an old tune, written by a Yankee, and sung to the tune of Doodle doo.”
The Frenchmen Came Upon the Coast
THE Frenchmen came upon the coast,
Our great allies, and they did boast,
They soon would bang the British host,
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
D’Estaing he wrote to General Lincoln,
And told him that he need not think on
Danger, but in quick step march down.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
So Lincoln came down to Savannah,
The French and we all sung hosanna,
We soon will take them every man-a.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
Then Maitland came just in the nick,
Or we’d have shown them such a trick,
As would have made them very sick.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
But soon we found ourselves mistaken,
And were glad to save our bacon,
Rather than be killed or taken.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
We thought to take the enemy,
But we, alas! were forced to fly,
We may do better by and by.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
The French, it’s true, behav’d quite civil,
Yet we wish’d them to the devil,
And hope that good may spring from evil.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
And now that they on board are gone,
Have left poor us here all alone,
We’ve nought to do but sigh and moan.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, Pa.
The enemy must keep their post,
In spite of all the Gallic host,
And Georgia we’ve for ever lost.
Doodle doodle do, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.
