The Grand Old Duke Of York is also known as The Noble Duke of York. This rhyme is written in the English language. The origins of this poem can be found in the Battle of Wakefield which happened in England in 1460. The words of this nursery rhyme are believed to be referring to Richard, Duke of York, a claimant to the throne of England. It is believed that the Duke of York marched his army to Sandal Castle and took up a defensive position against the Lancastrian Army.

This poem is also sung as an action poem. The actions for the rhyme vary from group to group. But the most common actions are to rise up and down as the poem progresses. This can be done by either sitting down completely or crouching down. A salute is incorporated as well, and for the count of “ten”, it is indicated by the fingers. Here you go! Also, read This Old Man Song.

The Grand Old Duke of York Poem

Image Source@ www.youtube.com

Oh, the grand old Duke of York,

He had ten thousand men,

He marched them up to the top of

Everyone stands up

The hill and he marched

Them down again. Everyone sits down

And when they were up they were up.

Everyone stands up

And when they were down they were down.

Everyone sits down

And when they were only half way up,

They were neither up nor down.

Everyone half-way up.

Oh, the grand old Duke of York,

He had ten thousand men,

He marched them up to the top of

Everyone stands up

The hill and he marched

Them down again. Everyone sits down

And when they were up they were up.

Everyone stands up

And when they were down they were down.

Everyone sits down

And when they were only half way up,

They were neither up nor down.

Everyone half-way up.

Summary:

The rhyme follows the “Grand Old Duke of York” as he marched with ten thousand men towards the battlefield. Duke of York takes all his men up the hill, and here the performers stand up. And from there the Duke of York marched the army of ten thousand men down the hill. Here the performers of crouch down or sit down.

Next, the rhyme says that when the men were up, they were completely up. And when the men were down, they were completely down. But when the army of ten thousand men was halfway up, they were neither up nor down. And to this, the action for the performers is “half up”. You may also like to read, When You Wish Upon The Star.