(Verse) We fought in 1917 Rum ta ta tum tum tum And drove the tyrant from the scene Rum ta ta tum tum tum We're in a bigger, better war For your patriotic pastime We don't know what we're fighting for But we didn't know the last time So load the cannon! Draw the blade! Rum ta ta tum tum tum Come on and join the big parade Rum ta ta tum tum Rum ta ta tum tum Rum ta ta tum tum tum (Chorus 1) Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people shout "Strike up the band" Hear the cymbals ring Callin' one and all To the martial swing Strike up the band There is work to be done, to be done There's a war to be won, to be won Come on you son of a son, of a gun Take your stand Fall in line, yea a bow Come along, let's go Hey, Leader, strike up the band! (Chorus 2) Let the drums roll out Let the trumpet call While the people shout "Strike up the band" Hear the cymbals ring Callin' one and all To the martial swing Strike up the band Yankee doo doodle-oo doodle-oo We'll come through doodle-oo doodle-oo For the red, white, and blue doodle-oo Lend a hand With the flag unfurled We can lick the world Hey, leader, strike up the band