This song was Anglo-American, dating from the Seven Years War, called the French and Indian War on our side of the Atlantic. It was an American favorite, both with its original lyrics and others adapted to the tune.
Francis Hopkinson designed the first American flag for Betsy Ross to sew. The tune is “Yankee Doodle,” and Hopkinson had an enjoyable time twitting the British on how their officers lacked the energy to get out of their mistresses’ beds to fight. History books often quote this classic line, which was left out of this recording:
Sir William, he, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring;
Nor dreamed of harm, as he lay warm,
In bed with Mrs. Loring.
Lieutenant Joshua Loring was a British quartermaster whose attractive wife caught General William Howe’s eye – and another part of his body. They swived into the wee hours, and Loring had no problem as long as his cushy assignment at the supply depot continued. In Vietnam, people like Loring were known as REMF’s. The RE stood for rear echelon, and I’ll leave the MF to your imagination.