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Gaze Quote by Emmy Laybourne

“I started to sing. Yes, sing. "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Yankee Doodle Do or die." I let go of Henry and Caroline and started marching, like I was the leader of a parade. "An old old something something la la la, born on the Fourth of July." So maybe I didn't know the words, exactly. Alex joined…” quote by Emmy Laybourne
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““I started to sing. Yes, sing. "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Yankee Doodle Do or die." I let go of Henry and Caroline and started marching, like I was the leader of a parade. "An old old something something la la la, born on the Fourth of July." So maybe I didn't know the words, exactly. Alex joined in. Astrid, too. All three of us marching like idiots. "You're my Yankee Doodle sweetheart, Yankee Doodle do or die." I led the three of us, making up the words somewhat and we walked in front of the gate, getting between the eyes of the little kids and the plywood, just trying to break the terror spell of the monster outside. Who now stared to yell, "YOU SINKING 'YANKEE DOODLE'? 'YANKEE DOODLE DANDY'? I'LL F--- KILL YOU!" Niko joined in and that guy, I am here to tell you, is entirely tone deaf. But the little kids kind of snapped to. We caught their attention. "Yankee Doodle went to town a riding on a pony. I am a Yankee Doodle guy." And the kids started marching and I led the parade, the saddest parade in the history of the world, away from the front of the store, away from the monster outside, and right to the stupid cookie and cracker aisle. We ate fudge-covered graham crackers for a good long while.””

Emmy Laybourne

About This Quote

Source Interview: Podcast episode with Emmy Laybourne, 2023

Using spontaneous song and play can break fear and unite people against threats.

In simple terms: Playful improvisation eases fear.

Key Takeaway

Use humor and song to confront anxiety.

Themes

courage playfulness community resilience

Mood

defiant hopeful

Type

inspirational narrative

When to use this quote

  • stressful situations
  • team building
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

improvisation collective coping

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is humor appropriate for tension?
  • How can you lead others through uncertainty?
A Different Perspective

Improvisation may not work for all audiences or serious contexts.

4.7 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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