Lyrics of Showdown at Yorktown by HistoryMusicNerd
In 1781, under the autumn sun,
The tide was turning, the end had just begun.
The British stronghold in the Chesapeake,
Was bound to crumble, their fate was sealed.
Washington and Rochambeau, side by side,
Marching from the north, with hope and pride.
Showdown at Yorktown!
Red coats turn brown!
Trapped there to drown!
Defeat the crown
And you‘ll gain renown!
For the showdown at Yorktown!
The showdown at Yorktown!
De Grasse’s fleet was waiting in the bay,
No escape for Cornwallis, no other way.
Redcoats dug in deep, behind their walls of sand,
But the Continental Army had the upper hand.
Washington and Rochambeau, side by side,
Marching from the north, with hope and pride.
Showdown at Yorktown!
Red coats turn brown!
Trapped there to drown!
Defeat the crown
And you‘ll gain renown!
For the showdown at Yorktown!
The showdown at Yorktown!
Hamilton and Lafayette, leading the attack,
Breaking through the lines, there was no turning back.
On October 19th, the white flag waves,
Sparing Cornwallis’ troops to meet their graves.
Showdown at Yorktown!
Red coats turn brown!
Trapped there to drown!
Defeat the crown
And you‘ll gain renown!
For the showdown at Yorktown!
The showdown at Yorktown!
The showdown at Yorktown!
Historical Background
In short: The song is about the Battle of Yorktown, that decided the American Revolutionary War against the British.
Showdown at Yorktown – The Battle That Ended an Empire
Some battles change the tide. Others end the war.
Showdown at Yorktown isn’t just about a victory—it’s about the final stand of the British Army in America. The Siege of Yorktown (1781) wasn’t just another battle—it was the moment the American Revolution was won.
This is how a trapped British army, a relentless American force, and an unexpected French fleet ended a war—and forged a nation.
1781 – The British in Retreat
“In 1781, under the autumn sun, the tide was turning, the end had just begun.”
After six years of war, the British were losing control of the American colonies. General Charles Cornwallis, commander of British forces in the South, had been fighting a brutal campaign, but his army was exhausted and low on supplies.
Cornwallis chose Yorktown, Virginia, as his stronghold—a mistake that would seal his fate.
“The British stronghold in the Chesapeake, was bound to crumble, their fate was sealed.”
While Cornwallis dug in, George Washington and French General Rochambeau were preparing the final strike.
The Trap Closes – No Escape
“Washington and Rochambeau, side by side, marching from the north, with hope and pride.”
Washington’s army marched over 400 miles from New York, joining French forces to surround Yorktown.
Meanwhile, French Admiral de Grasse had blocked the Chesapeake Bay, cutting off any chance of British reinforcements or escape by sea.
“De Grasse’s fleet was waiting in the bay, no escape for Cornwallis, no other way.”
Cornwallis and his 8,000 British troops were trapped.
The siege began.
The Final Assault – Breaking the British Lines
“Redcoats dug in deep, behind their walls of sand, but the Continental Army had the upper hand.”
For three weeks, the American and French armies bombarded Yorktown, reducing British defenses to rubble.
“Hamilton and Lafayette, leading the attack, breaking through the lines, there was no turning back.”
Then, on October 14, 1781, two key British redoubts (defensive positions) were stormed by American and French troops—led by:
- Alexander Hamilton – leading an American assault.
- Marquis de Lafayette – commanding French forces.
With their defenses collapsing, the British had no choice but to surrender.
October 19, 1781 – The British Surrender
“On October 19th, the white flag waves, sparing Cornwallis’ troops to meet their graves.”
With no way out, Cornwallis surrendered. His 8,000 troops laid down their arms, and the British formally admitted defeat in America.
“Showdown at Yorktown! Red coats turn brown! Trapped there to drown! Defeat the crown!”
This wasn’t just a battle—it was the death blow to British rule in America.
Why Showdown at Yorktown Still Matters
“The showdown at Yorktown! The showdown at Yorktown!”
The Battle of Yorktown ended major combat in the American Revolution.
- Two years later, in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, recognizing the United States as an independent nation.
- France’s support proved vital—without them, victory may not have been possible.
- The Revolution was won—not by a single battle, but by years of struggle, sacrifice, and determination.
The British lost an army.
America gained a future.
The Lesson?
Every empire has its last battle.
And at Yorktown, the British lost theirs.
