From the recording Rainbows and Sunshine
🎺🥁 Step right up and join the musical extravaganza with "The Grand Old Duke of York" by Rainbows and Sunshine! 🎶🌈
Prepare to be enchanted as we take you on a whimsical journey through the ranks of the Duke's marching band. With each new verse, a different instrument takes center stage, showcasing its unique sound and charm.
From the regal trombone to the playful piccolo, from the sparkling glockenspiel to the soulful clarinet, each solo adds its own flair to this timeless nursery rhyme. Children will be mesmerized by the diverse sounds of the orchestra, learning about each instrument's role and characteristics along the way.
But the fun doesn't stop there! As the Duke's band dwindles in size, the excitement only grows, culminating in a jubilant finale where all the instruments join together in perfect harmony. It's a symphony of joy that will have kids and parents alike tapping their toes and clapping their hands!
So gather 'round and let the music sweep you off your feet! "The Grand Old Duke of York" by Rainbows and Sunshine is a delightful celebration of music, imagination, and the sheer joy of making music together. Don't miss out on this enchanting musical adventure! 🎵🎩✨
Lyrics
Oh, the 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Trombone solo): This is a trombone. It’s from the brass family.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had nine 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Piccolo solo): This is a piccolo. It sounds like a bird! Can you hear the trill?
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had eight 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Glockenspiel solo): Here’s the glockenspiel. You play it with a mallet.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had seven 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Clarinet solo): The clarinet is a woodwind instrument.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had six 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Trumpet solo): The trumpet has a bright and brassy sound.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had five 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Oboe solo): The oboe is made of wood and can be heard in the famous ballet Swan Lake.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had four 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Bassoon solo): Bassoons are very long and you blow into them.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had three 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Flute solo): The flute is the oldest of all instruments that make a melody.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had two 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Tuba solo): The tuba is a large, low sounding instrument from the brass family.
Oh the grand old Duke of York, he had one 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 half way up, they were neither up nor down.
(Percussion solo): Crash, bang, boom! Listen to the percussion.
Oh, the grand old Duke of York, he had no more men;
He marched himself to the top of the hill, and he marched back down again.
And when he was up, he was up, and when he was down, he was down,
And when he was only half way up, he was neither up nor down.
And when he was only half up, he was neither up nor down.
(All instruments are playing!)