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The Grand Old Duke of York

[ Roud 742 ; Ballad Index FSWB390B ; trad.]

Tim Hart sang The Grand Old Duke of York in 1981 on his album My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record. This track was later included on his compilation CD Favourite Nursery Rhymes and Other Children’s Songs.

Dave Williams sang The Grand Old Duke of York at Woodfidley evening of folk, Bishop’s Waltham, in 1986. This recording was included in 2003 on his posthumous Forest Tracks anthology You’re On Nipper!. Paul Marsh noted:

This combines a local song, Three Men Went a-Hunting, with the chorus of the children’s nursery rhyme. “When They Were Up”, the audience was asked to stand and so on. It guaranteed lots of laughter.

Lizzy Hardingham sang The Grand Old Duke of York on her 2021 album of little songs for little ears, Little Songs Vol. 1.

Lyrics

Tim Hart sings The Grand Old Duke of York

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.

Now 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.