# Oh, The Grand Old Duke of York
1642 
England
# 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
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
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
# History and Meaning
The 'Duke of York' in the rhyme is likely to be 'Richard, Duke of York' (1411-1460). Richard was fighting for the throne of England in the War of the Roses, against nobles loyal to the captive King, Henry VI. On 21st December, 1460, Richard and around 8,000 men were in Sandal Castle in the North of England (West Yorkshire). As the nobles arrived with superior numbers, Richard foolishly left the castle to engage them. He was defeated, killed in battle, and lost up to half of his men. Two of his sons were also killed during or directly after the battle.