Below is an untitled songbook from www.insanescouter.com. If you wish to verify the text below, please download the original MS-Word file.
Tie Me Kangaroo Down
The first verse is almost spoken or narrated
There's an old Australian stockman - lying, dying...
And he gets himself up onto one elbow
And turns to his mates who are all gathered around
And he says....
I'm going, Blue; this you gotta do,
I'm not gonna pull through, Blue, so this you gotta do . . .
Chorus:
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Watch me wallabies feed, mate
Watch me wallabies feed.
They're a dangerous breed, mate
So, watch me wallabies feed.
(chorus)
Let me wombats go loose, Bruce,
Let me wombats go loose.
They're of no further use, Bruce,
So let me wombats go lose.
(chorus)
Keep me cockatoo cool, curl
Keep me cockatoo cool.
Don't go actin' the fool, curl
Just keep me cockatoo cool.
(chorus)
Take me koala back, Jack
Take me koala back.
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mack
So, take me koala back.
(chorus)
Mind me platypus duck, Bill
Mind me platypus duck.
Don't let him go running amuck, Bill
Just, mind me platypus duck.
(chorus)
Play your digeridoo, Blue
Play your digeridoo.
(Dying) Like, keep playing it 'til I shoot through, Blue
Play your digeridoo.
(chorus)
Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead.
So, we tanned his hide, when he died, Clyde
And that's it hangin' on the shed.
(chorus)
Green Grow the Rushes
This is a very old folk song. I present here the Scout version and a published
version -- you will understand the difference. This song is structured like the
12 Days of Christmas, in that it builds as the verses progress, until at the
end, the singers respond with all 12 lines. It is not sung to a "stock" tune --
you will have to find someone who knows it to learn the tune. Here is how the
Scout version begins:
Leader: I'll sing you one ho
Group: Green grow the rushes ho, What is your one ho?
Leader: One is one and all alone and ever more shall it be so.
That is the basic form. Here is the second round:
Leader: I'll sing you two ho
Group: Green grow the rushes ho, What is your two ho?
Leader: Two, two little Cub Scouts, Clothed them all in green ho
Leader and Group: One is one and all alone and ever more shall it be so
So, you can see how it goes. Here are the other 10 lines:
Twelve for the Twelve Apostles
Eleven for the eleven who went to Heaven
Ten for the Ten Commandments
Nine for the night (nine??) bright shiners
Eight for the April rainers
Seven for the seven stars in the sky
Six for the six proud walkers
Five for symbols at your door
Four for the Gospel makers
Three, three the rivals
According to "Rise Up Singing" published by Sing Out publications the song was first printed in "English Country Songs" by Broadwood and Maitland in 1893. Here are the lyrics:
One is one and all alone and evermore shall be
2, 2 the lily white boys, clothed all in green-o
3, 3 the rivals
4 for the Gospel makers
5 for the symbols at your door
6 for the 6 proud walkers
7 for the 7 stars in the sky
8 for the April raiders
9 for the 9 bright shiners
10 for the 10 Commandments
11 for the 11 that went up to heaven
12 for the 12 Apostles
Waltzing Matilda
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers - one, two, three,
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Up jumped the swagman, and sprang into the billabong,
You'll never catch me alive said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda -- An Older Version
Oh, There was once a swagman camped in a billabong
Under the shade of a coolabah tree
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling
"Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Watilda and leading a water-bag
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water hole
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee
And he sang as he stuffed him away in his tuckerbag
"You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me."
(Repeat Chorus)
Down came the squatter, a riding on his thoroughbred
Down came policemen, One, two and three
"Whose is the jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me."
(Repeat Chorus)
But the swagman, he up and he jumped in the water hole
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the billibong
"Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?"
(Repeat Chorus)
Who'll Come A-Scouting
[Tune: Waltzing Matilda]
Once a mighty soldier, beloved by his fellow men,
Under the shade of the flag of the free,
Took some youth and trained them,
Taught them to be brave and true,
Who'll come a-Scouting, a-Scouting with me.
Chorus
Keep on a-working, never a-shirking,
Carry out the rules as you know them to be,
And we'll sing as we put our shoulders and our brains to work,
Who'll come a-Scouting, a-Scouting with me.
Soon the little band grew, swelling to great number,
Through other countries, one, two, three;
Then around the world it spread, stronger, ever stronger,
Who'll come a-Scouting, a-Scouting with me.
Chorus
Keep on praying, keep on saying,
If we work hard enough, then we'll stay free.
And we'll sing as we put our shoulders and our brains to work,
Who'll come a-Scouting, a-Scouting with me.
This Land is Your Land
As I went walking, that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below that golden valley.
This land was made for you and me.
This land is your land, this land is my land.
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
This was made for your and me.
I saw a sign that said "No Trespassing."
And on the other side, that sign said nothing.
And all around me a voice was calling
"That sign was made for you and me."
This land is your land, this land is my land.
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
This was made for your and me.
Taps
Sing with reverence.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the Lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
Taps (Fast)
Day is done, day is done, day is done
Gone the sun, gone the sun, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hill, from the sky
All is well, all is well, all is well
Safely rest, safely rest, safely rest
God is nigh, God is nigh, God is nigh.
The Story of Taps
Taps was devised during the Civil War. In 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac,
under Major General George McClellan, was transported to the Virginia Peninsula
to launch a campaign against the Confederate capital at Richmond. The Army met
stiff resistance at the outskirts of Richmond. After a series of battles,
McClellan, a cautious general by nature, and misinformed as to the strength of
the Confederate army confronting him, elected to "change bases" - a carefully
worded synonym for retreat - to a site to the south, on the bank of the James
River.
During this retreat, the Army of the Potomac was forced to stand and fight the
pursuing Confederate army at Malvern Hill. The Confederate army, rather
unwisely, charged the Union line and was defeated. The battle of Malvern Hill
was fought on June 28 - July 1, 1862.
On July 2 (134 years ago today), in a miserable rain, the Army of the Potomac
completed its depressing and embarrassing retreat to Harrison's Landing on the
James River. The retreat was a grim disillusionment for the North, which had
expected a short war. For the Army of the Potomac, it was its darkest and
saddest hour.
Encamped at Harrison's Landing that summer was Brigadier General Daniel
Butterfield. He was the commander of the 3rd brigade of the 1st division of the
Army of the Potomac's 5th corps. A fairly undistinguished officer otherwise,
General Butterfield had an ear for music. Previously, he had observed that his
brigade's bugle call caused confusion in camp, because it could not be
distinguished from that of other brigades. So he devised a unique bugle call for
the 3rd brigade.
Now, in camp along the James, he noted that the regulation evening bugle call
for lights out was neither musical nor inspirational, nor tranquilizing. He
devised a alternative tune for his bugler, which, after a couple of attempts,
became Taps. The tune became popular, and soon the entire Army of the Potomac
was using the call in place of the regulation call for lights out.
Eventually, Taps was adopted by all Union armies, and became official army
regulation. Taps remains regulation to this day. The story of Taps is
particularly appropriate for July 2, given that today is the anniversary of the
Army of the Potomac's long retreat to the Harrison's Landing camp.
Skip's Got a Head Like a Ping Pong Ball
(tune Lone Ranger Theme - William Tell Overture)
Skips got a head like a ping pong ball
Skips got a head like a ping pong ball
Skips got a head like a ping pong ball
Like a piiiiiiiiiiing pong ball
ping pong (seven times) ball
ping pong (6 times) Ball
ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping PONG
(Second verse is the same only say pong where you say ping in the first verse
and visa versa) - You can also change the name to your favourite hairless
scouter!!!
Fast Food
This is an action song the actions will be given at the end The tune to this is
a ram sam sam
Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
McDonald McDonalds
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
A Burger King a Burger King
Long John Silvers and a Burger King
A Burger King a Burger King
Long John Silvers and a Burger King
Red Lobster Red Lobster
Long John Silvers and a Burger King
Dairy Queen A Dairy Queen
Chucky Cheese and a Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen A Dairy Queen
Chucky Cheese and a Dairy Queen
Roy Rogers Roy Rogers
Chucky Cheese and a Dairy Queen
Actions
Pizza Hut - Make shape of a hut in the air.
Kentucky Fried- Flap elbows up and down in the manner of a demented chicken.
McDonalds - Put hands on top of head and bring out and down to produce the
"Golden Arches".
Burger King - Put hands on head with fingers up to make a crown
Long John Silver - mimic sword play
Red Lobster - hold up arms and bring fingers down on thumbs like lobster claws
snapping
Dairy Queen - mimic milking a cow
Chuckey Cheese - mimic throwing up a pizza
Roy Rogers - mimic riding a horse
He Jumped Without A Parachute
This is a British version of a song known in the US as Never tie a love knot in
a parachuters chute
Tune Battle Hymn of the Republic - John Browns Body
First Version
He jumped without a parachute from twenty thousand feet
He jumped without a parachute from twenty thousand feet
He jumped without a parachute from twenty thousand feet
And he aint gorna jump no more
Chorus
Glory glory what a heck of a way to die
Glory glory what a heck of a way to die
Glory glory what a heck of a way to die
And he aint gorna jump no more
They scraped him off the tarmac like a lump of strawberry jam (3x)
And He aint .............
Chorus
They put him in a sardine tin and sent him home to mum (3x)
And he aint...........
Chorus
They put him on the mantle piece for everyone to see (3x)
and he aint........
Chorus
They spread him on a slice of bread when the vicar came to tea (3x)
and he aint.....
Last Chorus
Second Version
He jumped from forty thousand feet without a parachute
He jumped from forty thousand feet without a parachute
He jumped from forty thousand feet without a parachute
And he aint gonna jump no more
Chorus
Glory glory what a hell of a way to die
suspended by your braces when you dont know how to fly
Glory glory what a hell of a way to die
And he aint gonna jump no more
He landed on the pavement like a lump of strawberry jam
He landed on the pavement like a lump of strawberry jam
He landed on the pavement like a lump of strawberry jam
And he aint gonna jump no more
Chorus
They put him in a match box and they sent him home to mum
They put him in a match box and they sent him home to mum
They put him in a match box and they sent him home to mum
And he aint gonna jump no more
Chorus
She put on the mantel piece for everyone to see
She put on the mantel piece for everyone to see
She put on the mantel piece for everyone to see
And he aint gonna jump no more
Chorus
She put him on the table when the Vicar came to tea
She put him on the table when the Vicar came to tea
She put him on the table when the Vicar came to tea
And he aint gonna jump no more
Chorus
The Vicar spread him on some toast and said what lovely jam
The Vicar spread him on some toast and said what lovely jam
The Vicar spread him on some toast and said what lovely jam
And he aint gonna jump no more
Last Chorus
Notes: Verse #4 is sometimes omitted, and the chorus is sometimes repeated a
second time at the end, which gets louder through the first two lines and then
quieter during the last two lines, with the last few words being slowed down and
strung out, to emphasise the point that he aint gonna jump no more.
America
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain.
America, America;
God shed his grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea!
America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)
My country 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountain side
Let freedom ring.
The Star-Spangled Banner
Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof throughout the night that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the land of the brave.
Hello
(Tunes: Coca Cola's I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing or Auld Lang Syne)
I love to hear the word Hello,
Wherever I may go.
It's full of friendship
And good cheer
And warms the heart up so.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Hello, Hello, Hello...
When e'er we meet
Like friends let's greet
Each other with Hello.
Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello,
Hello, Hello, Hello...
Once a Girl Scout went to Camp
(Tune: Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes)
Once a Girl Scout went to camp, went to camp
Went to camp without her lamp, without her lamp
And there she saw a spider in her bed, in her bed
This is what the Girl Scout said , Girl Scout said:
"Spider spider, go away, go away,
You are not allowed to stay, allowed to stay
This is what my leader said,
'No two bodies in one bed, in one bed.'"
Once a Boy Scout went to camp, went to camp
Went to camp without his lamp, without his lamp
And there he saw a spider in his bed, in his bed
This is what the Boy Scout said, Boy Scout said:
"Aaaaaauuughhhhhh!"
Doodley Doo
Please sing to me that sweet melody
Called doodley doo, doodley doo.
I like the rest,
but the part I like best
Goes doodley doo, doodley doo.
It's the simplest thing
there isn't much to it
I like it so, wherever I go,
It's doodley doodley doo.
Come on and waddaly atcha, waddaly atcha
Waddaly o, waddaly o
Waddaly atcha, waddaly atcha
Waddaly o, waddaly o
It's the simplest thing
there isn't much to it
I like it so, wherever I go,
It's doodl ey doodley doo.
Actions
slap knees twice, clap hands twice
pass the right hand over the left hand twice
pass the left hand over the right hand twice
touch the nose with the right hand twice, then
touch the left shoulder with the right hand and leave it there.
touch the nose with the left hand, then
touch the right shoulder with the left hand and leave it there.
tap the shoulders twice
put both hands in the air and snap fingers twice
slap knees twice, clap hands twice
Three Little Angels
Three little angels
All dressed in white
Tried to get to Heaven
On the end of a kite.
But the kite broke and
Down they all fell.
Instead of going to Heaven
They all went to...
Two little angels...
One little angel...
Three little devils
All dressed in red
Tried to get to Heaven
On the end of a thread.
But the thread broke and
Down they all fell.
Instead of going to Heaven
They all went to...
Two little devils...
One little devil...
Three little Martians
All dressed in green
Tried to get to Heaven
On the end of a string.
But the string broke and
Down they all fell.
Instead of going to Heaven
They went to...
Two little Martians...
One little Martian...
Three little babies
All dressed in blue
Tried to get to Heaven
On the end of a shoe.
But the shoe broke and
Down they all fell.
Instead of going to Heaven
They all went to...
Two little babies...
One little baby...
Don't get excited,
Don't lose your head.
Instead of going to Heaven
They all went to bed.
Heidi Hey (echo hiking song)
Heidi-hey Heidi-ho!
Iddly-Widdly Woddley Wo,
Lift your heads up to the sky
Girl Scouts are passing by.
Heidi-hey Heidi-ho!
Iddly-Widdly Woddley Wo,
Better, better than the rest,
Troop 4217 is the best.
Heidi-hey Heidi-ho!
Iddly-Widdly Woddley Wo,
If you heard what I just said
Get on your knees and bow your head.
Scout Prayer
(Tune: O Christmas Tree)
Softly falls the light of day
As our campfire fades away,
Silently each girl should ask:
"Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared
Everything to be prepared?"
"I have kept my honour bright.
I can guiltless sleep tonight.
I have done and I have dared
Everything to be prepared."
The Chigger
(Tune: Polly Wolly Doodle)
Oh, there was a little chigger
And he wasn't much bigger
Than the head of a tiny pin.
But the bump he raises
Just itches like the blazes,
And that's where the scratch comes in.
But the bump he raises
Just itches like the blazes,
And that's where the scratch comes in.
Pink Pyjamas
(Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic)
I wear my pink pyjamas in the summer when it's hot.
I wear my flannel nighties in the winter when it's not.
And sometimes in the springtime and sometimes in the fall,
I jump right in between the sheets with nothing on at all.
Glory, glory, Hallelujah;
Glory, glory, what's it to ya?
Balmy breezes blowing through ya,
With nothing on at all.
Wading
(Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic)
She waded in the water and she got her ankles wet.
She waded in the water and she got her ankles wet.
She waded in the water and she got her ankles wet.
But she didn't get her (clap, clap) wet.
Glory, glory, Hallelujah;
Glory, glory, Hallelujah;
Glory, glory, Hallelujah;
She didn't get her (clap , clap) wet, yet.
2. knees
3. thighs
4. She waded in the water and she finally got it wet.
She finally got her bathing suit wet.
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes. (Toot Toot!)
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes. (Toot Toot!)
She'll be coming 'round the mountain,
She'll be coming 'round the mountain,
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes. (Toot Toot!)
2. She'll be driving six white horses when she comes. (Whoa back!)
3. Oh, we'll all go out to meet her when she comes. (Hi babe!)
4. Oh, we'll kill the old red rooster when she comes. (hack hack!)
5. Oh, we'll all have chicken and dumplings when she comes. (Yum Yum!)
6. She'll have to sleep with Granny when she comes. (Snore Snore!)
7. Tell me do you know what coming 'round the mountain? (spoken at the end:)
Then why are we singing this stupid song?
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my friend,
For auld lang syne;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Kum Ba Yah (Come with Me)
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah.
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah.
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah.
Oh Lord, Kum ba yah.
2. someone's crying, Lord
3. someone's singing, Lord
4. someone's praying, Lord
The Great Meat Pie
The great meat pie was a tidy size,
And it took a week to make it,
A day to carry it to the shop,
And just a week to bake it.
And if you'd seen it,
I'll be bound,
Your wonder you'd scarce govern.
They were forced to break the front wall down
to get it in the oven.
It too full thirty sacks of flour,
It's a fact now that I utter,
Three hundred pails of water, too,
And a hundred tubs of butter.
The crust was nearly seven feet thick,
You couldn't easily bruise it,
And the rolling pin was such a size
It took ten men to use it.
There were twenty-five spareribs of pork,
I'm sure I'm not mistaken,
With two and thirty hams for York,
And twenty sides of bacon.
The pie was made by fifty cooks,
And all of them first raters,
And then they filled up all the nooks
with a ton of kidney 'taters.
Billboards
(Tune: Superfragilisticespyalladocious)
As I was walking down the street one dark and gloomy day,
I came upon a billboard and much to my dismay,
The sign was torn and tattered from the storm the night before,
The wind and rain had done it's work and this it what I saw:
"Smoke Coca-Cola Cigarettes -- chew Wrigley's Spearmint beer --
Kennel Ration Dog Food keeps your wife's complexion clear;
Simonize your baby with a Hershey's candy bar --
And Texaco's the beauty cream that's used by all the stars!"
"So take your next vacation in a brand new Fridgidaire --
Learn to play piano in your winter underwear --
Doctors say that babies should smoke until they are three,
And people over 65 should bathe in Lipton Tea!"
(slowly)....in flow-thru tea bags.
It's a Small World
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears;
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears.
There's so much that we share
That it's time we were aware.
It's a small world after all.
It's a small world after all,
It's a small world after all.
It's a small world after all.
It's a small, small world.
There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means friendship
to ev'ryone.
Though the mountains divide
and the oceans are wide,
It's a small world after all.
Barges
Out of my window looking in the night,
I can see the barges flickering light.
Silently flows the river to the sea,
And the barges too go silently.
Barges, I would like to go with you;
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?
Out of my window looking in the night,
I can see the barges flickering light.
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red,
You can see them flickering far ahead.
Barges, I would like to go with you;
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the whole world in His hands.
2. He's got the wind and the rain in His hands.
3. He's got the tiny little baby in His hands.
4. He's got you and me sister in His hands.
My Uncle
(Tune: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean)
My uncle fell into a pothole
In a glacier while climbing an Alp.
He's still there after 50 long winters,
And all you can see is his scalp.
Chorus
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back my uncle to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back my uncle to me, t o me.
My uncle was proud of his whiskers, To shave them would give him the blues. They
hung all the way to his ankles, And he used them for shining his shoes.
Chorus
My uncle had faith in a sailboat
He had built from an old hollow tree.
My uncle set sail for Australia,
Now my uncle lies under the sea.
Chorus
My uncle made friends with hyenas,
He gave them a ride on his raft.
When a crocodile reached up and grabbed him,
The hyenas just sat there and laughed.
Chorus
My uncle annoyed his dear parents
They tossed him right out of the bus.
And if we don't mend our behaviour,
Why that's what will happen to us.
Switch
(Tune: Reuben and Rachel)
I don't care if I go crazy
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Switch.
Crazy go I, if care don't I
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Switch.
On My Honour
Chorus
On my honour I will try.
There's a duty to be done and I say aye.
There's a reason here for a reason above.
My honour is to try and my duty is love.
People don't need to know my name.
If I do any harm, then I'm to blame.
When I help another, I help me,
If I've opened up my eyes to see.
Chorus
I've tucked away a song or two.
If you're feeling low, there's one for you.
When you need a friend, then I will come.
There are many more where I come from.
Chorus
Come with me where a fire burns bright.
We can even see better in a candle's light.
But we find more meaning in a campfire's glow
Than we'd ever learn in a year or so.
Chorus
We've made a promise to always keep.
And the day is done before we sleep.
We'll be Girl Scouts together and when we're gone
We'll still be trying and singing this song.
Chorus
My Tall Silk Hat
(Tune: Funiculi, Funicula)
One day, as I was riding on the subway,
My tall silk hat, my tall silk hat.
I laid it on the seat beside me,
My tall silk hat, my tall silk hat.
A big, a-fat-a-lady sat upon it,
My tall silk hat, my tall silk hat.
A big, a-fat-a-lady sat upon it,
My tall silk hat, my tall silk hat.
Christopher Columbo, now what do think of that,
A big, a-fat-a-lady sat upon it,
My tall silk hat, my tall silk hat.
My hat she broke and that's no joke,
My hat she broke and that's no joke.
Christopher Columbo, now what do think of that,
my hat, my hat, my hat she smashed.
Sarah the Whale
(Tune: Dixie)
In Frisco town there lived a whale
They fed her peanuts by the pail,
And washtubs and bathtubs
And sailboats and schooners.
Her name is Sarah and she's a peach,
But don't put food within her reach
Or babies, or nursemaids
Or chocolate ice cream sodas.
She loves to smile and when she smiles
You can see her teeth for miles and miles,
And her tonsils and her spare ribs
And things too fierce to mention.
Now what can you do in a case like that,
There's nothing to do but sit on your hat,
Or your toothbrush, or your best friend,
Or anything else that's helpless.
Hey Lollee
This song is meant to be made up by the singers as you go along. But if you
decide to play it this way, you might want to sing a chorus between each verse
to let the next person think up some lines.
Hey Lollee, lollee,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Hey Lollee, lollee,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
This is a crazy kind of song,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
You make it up as you go along,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
When calypso singers sing this song,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
It sometimes lasts the whole day long,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
First you invent a simple rhyme,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Then another one to rhyme,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
While you catch on I'll sing a verse,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Then you do one that's even worse,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
I know a girl named Emily, (or use another name that rhymes)
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
She sings "Hey Lollee" in just one key,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Tonight we've chosen another key,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
You won't be hearing from Emily,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
S/he sings "Hey Lollee" day and night,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
It never seems to come out right,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
I know a man name Mr. Jones,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
When he sings, everybody groans,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
The singer you fast the getter it's tuff,
Hey Lollee , lollee, lo.
To line up makes that you won't muff,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
Let's put this song back on the shelf,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
if you want anymore you can sing it yourself,
Hey Lollee, lollee, lo.
There Was An Old Woman
Verse 1
There was an old woman
Who swallowed a fly.
I don't know why
she swallowed that fly.
Perhaps she'll die.
Verse 2
There was an old woman
Who swallowed a spider,
Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled
Inside her.
She swallowed the spider
to catch the fly.
I don't know why
she swallowed that fly.
Perhaps she'll die.
Verse 3
There was an old woman
Who swallowed a bird.
How absurd! to swallow a bird.
She swallowed the bird
To catch the spider
Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled
Inside her.
She swallowed the spider
to catch the fly.
I don't know why
she swallowed that fly.
Perhaps she'll die.
Verse 4
There was an old woman who swallowed a cat. Imagine that! to swallow a cat. She
swallowed the cat To catch the bird. She swallowed the bird
To catch the spider
Who wriggled and jiggled and tickled
Inside her.
She swallowed the spider
to catch the fly.
I don't know why
she swallowed that fly.
Perhaps she'll die.
5. dog...What a hog!
6. goat...Just opened her throat
7. cow...I don't know how
8. horse...She's dead of course(that ends the song)
The Unicorn Song
A long time ago when the earth was green
There was more kinds of animals than you'd ever seen
They'd run around free while the earth was being born
But the loveliest of them all was the unicorn
There was green alligators
And long necked geese
Some humpy back camels
And some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants
but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn
Now God seen some sinnin'
And it gave Him a pain
And He says, "Stand back!
I'm gone to make it rain."
He says, "Hey, Brother Noah,
I'll tell you what to do,
Build me a floating zoo.
And take some of them
Green alligators and long necked geese
Some humpy back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants
But sure as you're born
Don't you forget my unicorns."
Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark
Just as the rain started falling
He marched in the animals two by two
And he called out as they went through,
"Hey, Lord, I've got your green alligators,
And long necked geese
Some humpy back camels and some chimpanzees
Some Cats and rats and elephants
But, Lord, so forlorn,
I just can't see no unicorns."
Then Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring
Oh them silly unicorns
There was green alligators and long necked geese
Some humpy back camels and some chimpanzees
And Noah cried, "Close the door cause the rain is pouring
And we just can't wait for them old unicorns."
The ark started moving, adrifting with the tides
Them unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
And that's why you'll never see a unicorn to this very day
You'll see green alligators and long necked geese
Some humpy back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants
But sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorns.
Streets of London
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market,
kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride hand held loosely by his side
yesterday papers telling yesterday's news.
Refrain
So how can you tell me you're lonely
and say for you that the sun don't shine
let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of london
I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London,
dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talkin' she just keeps on walkin',
carrying her home in two carrier bags.
Refrain
In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven
same old man sitting there on his own,
looking at the world over the rim of his tea cup
and each tea lasts an hour and wanders home alone.
Refrain
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears?
And in our winter city the rain cries a little pity
for one more forgotten hero and a world that doesnt care.
Final Refrain
Ba, Ba, Boom
We break the boys up between the younger and older. The oldest boys sing the
ba,ba,ba, boom with deep voices.
On a pad in a forest green
ba,ba,ba boom
Crazy Herman was surveying the scene
ba,ba,ba boom
Saw a farmer truck'n by, a rapping at his door.
Like help, like help me please
ba,ba,ba boom
These's a farmer go'n to exterminate me
ba,ba,ba boom
Hey man don't scream and shout
Come in and we'll hang out
HEY
Tom The Toad
(Tune: Oh, Christmas Tree)
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why did you jump into the road?
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why did you jump into the road?
You were so big and green and fat
But now you're small and red and flat.
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why did you jump into the road?
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why are you lying in the road?
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why are you lying in the road?
You did not see that car ahead
And you were flattened by the tread.
Oh Tom the Toad, Oh Tom the Toad
Why are you lying in the road?
Oh Sue the Skunk, Oh Sue the Skunk
Why do you make my tires go thunk?
Oh Sue the Skunk, Oh Sue the Skunk
Why do you make my tires go thunk?
You did not look from East to West
Now on the road there's such a mess.
Oh Sue the Skunk, Oh Sue the Skunk
Why do you make my tires go thunk?
Oh Sam the Snake, Oh Sam the Snake
Why do you lie out there and bake?
Oh Sam the Snake, Oh Sam the Snake
Why do you lie out there and bake?
You did not see that truck go by
Now you look like a butterfly.
Oh Sam the Snake, Oh Sam the Snake
Why do you lie out there and bake?
A ten-ton truck ran up your snout!
Oh Froggie Fred, Oh Froggie Fred,
Why do you lie there stone-cold dead?
Oh Swallow Sam, Oh Swallow Sam,
What turned your body into jam?
Oh Swallow Sam, Oh Swallow Sam,
What turned your body into jam?
In the air you'd quickly speed,
An eighteen-wheeler made you bleed.
Oh Swallow Sam, Oh Swallow Sam,
What turned your body into jam?
Arm'dillo Tex, Arm'dillo Tex,
Why are you looking so perplexed?
Arm'dillo Tex, Arm'dillo Tex,
Why are you looking so perplexed?
Across the yellow line you strayed,
The truck hit you - like a grenade!
Arm'dillo Tex, Arm'dillo Tex,
Why are you looking so perplexed?
Oh Froggie Fred, Oh Froggie Fred,
Why do you lie there stone-cold dead?
Oh Froggie Fred, Oh Froggie Fred,
Why do you lie there stone-cold dead?
You didn't look as you jumped out,
Oh Doggie Spot, Oh Doggie Spot,
Upon the road you're such a blot.
Oh Doggie Spot, Oh Doggie Spot,
Upon the road you're such a blot.
Out in the lane you boldly went,
Now your bod's not worth a cent!
Oh Doggie Spot, Oh Doggie Spot,
Upon the road you 're such a blot.
Oh Bunny Ben, Oh Bunny Ben,
Why is your body flat and thin?
Oh Bunny Ben, Oh Bunny Ben,
Why is your body flat and thin?
Out on the road you quickly jumped,
You didn't count on getting bumped.
Oh Bunny Ben, Oh Bunny Ben,
Why is your body flat and thin?
Oh Billy Bat, Oh Billy Bat,
Why are you lying still like that?
Oh Billy Bat, Oh Billy Bat,
Why are you lying still like that?
Along the road you swooped and flapped,
But a trucker's windshield got you zapped!
Oh Billy Bat, Oh Billy Bat,
Why are you lying still like that?
Oh Turtle Ted, Oh turtle Ted,
Your shell's all broken - so's your head.
Oh Turtle Ted, Oh turtle Ted,
Your shell's all broken - so's your head.
In the road you thought you'd travel,
Now you're ground into the gravel.
Oh Turtle Ted, Oh turtle Ted,
Your shell's all broken - so's your head.
Oh Possum Pete, Oh Possum Pete
There's nothing left but hair and feet
Oh Possum Pete, Oh Possum Pete
There's nothing left but hair and feet
Oh Possum Pete, Oh Possum Pete
There's nothing left but hair and feet
You thought you'd beat that bus across
Now you look like a pile of moss.
The Tree Toad
(Tune: Auld Lang Syne)
A tree toad loved a fair she toad
That lived up in a tree;
She was a fair three-toed tree toad
But a two-toed toad was he.
The two-toed tree toad tried to win
The she toad's friendly nod;
For the two-toed tree toad loved the ground
That the three-toed tree toad trod.
Now three-toed tree toads have no care
For two-toed tree toad love,
But the two-toed tree toad fain would share
A tree home up above.
In vain the two-toed tree toad tried;
He couldn't please her whim.
In her tree toad bower with veto power,
The she toad vetoed him !
Two Little Fleas
(Tune: Auld Lang Syne)
Two little fleas together sat
They cried when one flea said;
"I've had no place to lay my head,
Since my old dog is dead.
I've travelled far from place to place
And farther will I roam.
But the next old dog that shows his face
Will be my home sweet home."
Sandwich Song
(Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic)
I walk into a restaurant
And this is what I cry:
"I want a chicken sandwich,
Cup of coffee, piece of pie."
Oh, you will surely hear me
Sing this song until I die!
"I want a chicken sandwich,
Cup of coffee, piece of pie."
My Dog Rover
(Tune: I"m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover)
Verse 1
I'm looking over my dead dog Rover
That I overran with the mower.
One leg is missing, another is gone,
One leg is scattered all over the lawn.
No need explaining, the one remaining,
Is stuck in the kitchen door.
I'm looking over my dead dog Rover
That I overran with the mower.
Verse 2
I'm looking over my dead dog Rover
Who died on the kitchen floor.
One leg is broken, the other is lame,
The third leg is missing, the fourth needs a cane.
No need explaining, the tail remaining
Was caught in the oven door.
I'm looking over my dead dog Rover
Who died on the kitchen floor.
Great Green Gobs
(Tune: Old Gray Mare, except the line in caps which is the melody to "Good
Evening Friends")
Great green gobs
Of greasy, grimy, gopher guts,
Mutilated monkey meat,
Dirty, little birdie feet!
Great green gobs
Of greasy, grimy gopher guts,
And me without my spoon!
BUT I BROUGHT MY FORK!!!
The Corporation Muck Cart
(Tune; There's no place like home)
The corporation muck cart was loaded to the brim,
The driver fell in backwards and found he could not swim,
He sank right to the bottom just like a little stone,
And as he sank he gurgled there's no place like home.
All Together Again
We're all together again, we're here, we're here,
We're all together again, we're here, we're here.
And who knows when, we'll be all together again?
Singing all together again, we're here!
A ram, Sam, Sam
A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli
ram sam sam [Repeat.]
Arra-tay arra-tay, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli ram sam sam
[Repeat.]
Each Campfire Lights Anew
Each campfire lights anew, the flame of friendship true.
The joy we've had in knowing you, will last our whole life through.
And as the embers die away, we wish that we might always stay.
But since we cannot have our way, we'll come again some other day.
Ging Gang Goo
Ging gang gooli gooli gooli watcha, ging gang goo, ging gang
goo. [Repeat.]
Heyla, heyla sheyla, heyla sheyla heyla ho. [Repeat.]
Shali walli, shali walli, shali walli, shali walli,
Oompha, Oompah . . .
Sing as a round, with one group continuing with the "Oompah" and another singing the song again from the beginning; then switch.
Good night . . . Scouts
Good night . . . Scouts, good night . . . Scouts
Good night . . . Scouts, we're going to leave you now.
Merrily we Scout along, scout along, scout along.
Merrily we Scout along, on the Scouting trail.
Farewell, . . . Scouts . . . .
Sweet dreams, . . . Scouts . . . .
Goodnight Song
Evening sunset paints the sky,
Smoke from campfire drifts on high;
Songs and stories we like best,
Just before we go to rest.
Goodnight to every . . . Scout, say goodnight,
To those away and these here in our sight.
The fun we've had we will not soon forget;
The things we've learned and the pals we've met.
And so, goodnight to every . . . Scout, say goodnight.
Above may each {girl's/boy's} star send forth its light.
While songs and stories shared now wing their flight,
Goodnight, sweet dreams, goodnight!
Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here
Hail, hail, the gang's all here,
Never mind the weather, here we are together;
Hail, hail, the gang's all here,
Sure we're glad that you're here, too!
Hail, hail, the gang's all here,
We're a bunch of live ones, not a single dead one;
Hail, hail, the gang's all here,
Sure I'm glad that I'm here, too!
I'm Happy When I'm Hiking
I'm happy when I'm hiking, pack upon my back.
I'm happy when I'm hiking, on(off) the beaten track.
Out in the open country, that's the place for me,
With a true Scout friend, to the journey's end,
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty miles a day.
Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp . . .
It's a Scouting World
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears.
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears.
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware
It's a Scouting world.
Chorus
It's a Scouting world for all. [repeat 2 more times.]
It's a Scouting world.
There is just one moon and a golden sun.
And Scouting means friendship for everyone.
Though the mountains divide and the oceans are wide,
It's a Scouting world.
On The Loose
Refrain
On the loose to climb a mountain,
On the loose where I am free.
On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be.
For I've only got a moment, and a whole world left to see.
I'll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.
Have you ever watched the sunrise turn the sky completely red?
Have you slept beneath the moon and stars, a pine bough for your bed?
Do you sit and talk with friends, though not a word is ever said?
Then you're just like me and you've been on the loose.
There's a trail that I'll be hiking just to see where it might go,
Many places yet to visit, many people yet to know,
For in following my dreams I will live and I will grow
In a world that's waiting out there on the loose.
So in search of love and laughter I'll be traveling 'cross this land,
Never sure of where I'm going, 'cause I haven't any plans,
And in time when you are ready, come and join me-take my hand.
And together we'll share life out on the loose.
Let us sit and watch the sunset as the daylight slowly fades.
Thinking about tomorrows, about friendships we have made.
I will value them forever, and I hope you'll do the same.
And forever we'll explore life on the loose.
Our Scouts Will Shine Tonight!
Our Scouts will shine tonight, our Scouts will shine,
Our Scouts will shine tonight, all down the line;
They're all dressed up tonight, don't they look fine!
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, our Scouts will
shine!
Pass It On
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing,
That's how it is with Scouting,
Once you've experienced it;
You spread your joy to everyone,
You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding,
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with Scouting,
Once you've experienced it;
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found,
You can come join in, it matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain tops
I want the world to know,
The joy of friends has come to me,
I want to pass it on.
This Little Scouting Light
This little Scouting light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
[Repeat twice more.]
Let it shine all the time, let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I'm gonna let it shine. . . .
Hide it under a bushel-NO!- I'm gonna let it shine. . . .
Don't you try to blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine. . . .
All around this world of ours, I'm gonna let it shine. . . .
Vive l'Amour
Let every good Scout now join in a song,
Vive la compagnie.
Success to each other and pass it along.
Vive la Compagnie.
Chorus
Vive la, vive la, vive l'amour,
Vive la, vive la, vive l'amour,
Vive l'amour, vive l'amour,
Vive la compagnie.
Come all you good people and join in with me,
Vive la compagnie.
And raise up your voices in close harmony.
Vive la compagnie.
A friend on your left and a friend on your right,
Vive la compagnie.
In love and good fellowship let us unite.
Vive la compagnie.
With friends all around us, we'll sing out our song,
Vive la compagnie.
We'll banish our troubles, it won't take us long.
Vive la compagnie.
Now wider and wider our circle expands,
Vive la compagnie.
We sing to our comrades in faraway lands.
Vive la compagnie.
Should time or occasion compel us to part,
Vive la compagnie.
These days shall forever enliven our heart.
Vive la compagnie.
Upward Trail
We're on the upward trail, we're on the upward trail.
Singing, singing, everybody singing, as we go.
We're on the upward trail, we're on the upward trail.
Singing, singing, everybody singing, Scouting bound.
We're Here For Fun
[Tune: Auld Lang Syne]
We're here for fun right from the start, so drop your dignity;
Just laugh and sing with all your heart, and show your loyalty.
May all your troubles be forgot, let this night be the best;
Join in the songs we sing tonight, be happy with the rest.
Whenever You Make A Promise (round)
Whenever you make a promise, consider well its importance;
And when made, engrave it upon your heart.
Alice the Camel
Alice the camel has 10 humps, Alice the camel has 10 humps
Alice the camel has 10 humps, so go, Alice, GO!!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
[Continue with 9, 8, 7 . . . humps, until . . . ]
Alice the camel has no humps, Alice the camel has no humps
Alice the camel has no humps, 'cause Alice is a HORSE!!
Bingo Was His Name-o
There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o'
B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, and Bingo was his name-o.
Sing song through six times, the first time just spelling out
the name BINGO; second time, clap the 'B' and spell out the last four letters;
third time, clap the 'B' and the 'I' and spell out
the last three letters; etc., until all five letters are clapped
out.
Boom Chicka Boom
I says a-boom-chick-a-boom! [Group echoes.]
I says a-boom-chick-a-boom! [Group echoes.]
I says a-boom-chick-a-rock-a-chick-a-rock-a-chick-a-boom!
[Group echoes.]
Uh-huh! [Group echoes.]
On Yeah! [Group echoes.]
This time! [Group echoes.]
We sing! [Group echoes.]
HIGHER!
Each time a leader adds a different variation such as: LOWER,
WHISPER, LOUDER, TONGUE-IN-CHEEK, SEXY, GROOVY (COOL).
Bringing Home A Baby Bumblebee
[This song cycles so that certain verses can be repeated until the singers tire
of it.]
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me,
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ooh, he stung me!
I'm squashing up my baby bumblebee,
.
.
.
Ooh, now its all over my hands!
I'm licking off my baby bumblebee
.
.
.
Ooh, that made me sick!
I'm throwing up my baby bumblebee
.
.
.
Ooh, now the floor is all messy!
I'm scraping up my baby bumblebee
.
.
.
Ooh, he stung me a again!
Variations:
I'm bringing home a baby rattlesnake,
Won't my darling Mommy really shake.
.
.
.
Ooh, he bit me!
I'm stomping on my baby rattlesnake, etc.
I'm bringing home a baby grizzly bear,
Won't my Mommy beat it out of there.
.
.
.
[One suggested scenario involves shooing off the bear; having to clean up
after the mess (scat) left behind, and finally bring the bear back to clean up
after itself.]
Chestnut Tree
Under the spreading chestnut tree, where I held you on my knee.
We'll be happy as can be; under the spreading chestnut tree.
The first time through, sing the words as written. The second time, omit the word "tree" and instead imitate tree branches with upward and outward hand motions. The next time, also omit "nut" and tap the top of the head. Then, omit "chest" but pat the chest. Then, omit "spreading" and instead spread hands apart, etc. [Replace "happy" with a scowl and growl.] At the finish, almost half the song will be gestures.
Deep And Wide
Deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide. [Repeat.]
Sing the words as written the first time through. Then, instead of saying the word "deep", make a gesture (one hand above the other) to show depth. The next time, also show "wide" by spreading hands out to the side for width. Continue with "fountain" (make a fountain-like gesture), and "flowing" (make a rippling gesture with hands moving from one side to the other at chest level).
Do Your Ears Hang Low?
[Tune: Turkey in the Straw, refrain]
Do your ears hang low, do they waggle to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them is a bow?
Can you throw them o're your shoulder like a continental soldier?
Do your ears hang low?
Do your ears stick out, can you waggle them about?
Can you flap them up and down as you fly around the town?
Can you shut them up for sure when you hear an awful bore?
Do your ears stick out?
Do your ears stand high, do they reach up to the sky?
Do they hang down when they're wet, do they stand up when they're dry?
Can you semaphore your neighbor with the minimum of labor?
Do your ears stand high?
Father Abraham
Father Abraham had seven sons sir.
Seven sons sir had Father Abraham.
And they never laughed, and they never cried,
All the did was go like this: with a left (arm moving) . . . .
. . . With a left (arm) and a right (arm).
Finally: . . . with a left and a right, and a left (leg) and a
right (leg), and a nod, and a wiggle.
Flea Fly
[Rhythm: Same as "Froggie"]
Flea.
Flea, fly.
Flea, fly, mosquito.
Swat 'em!
Calamine, calamine, calamine lotion.
Oh, no more calamine lotion.
Itchy, itchy, scratchy, scratchy, got one on my backy, backy.
Ohy, ohy, owwy, owwy, wish he'd go away.
Quick get the bug spray, I think he went that-a-way-shhhhhh!
[Make can-spraying motions.]
Froggie!
Dog.
Dog, cat.
Dog, cat, mouse.
Froggie!
Itsy bitsy, teeny weeny little bitty froggie.
Jump, jump, jump, little froggie.
Spiders and flies are scrum-deli-icious.
Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit,
Croak.
Actions: Set up a clap/lap-slapping rhythm, and repeat each line after the
leader. On the first run-through, do it slowly; with each repetition go faster,
until the audience tires.
Goin' On a Lion Hunt
[Audience echoes each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm.]
Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?
Mud!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [Make sloshing sounds and move hands as if slogging.]
Sticks. [Snap fingers.]
Tree. [Make gestures climbing up and down.]
Gate. [Make gate-opening gestures.]
River. [make swimming gestures.]
Cave. [Go in it and find lion. Reverse all motions quicky to get home.]
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eye and ears, and a mouth and a nose.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Touch the appropriate body part each time it's mentioned. Second time: don't say the word 'head' aloud, but still touch it. Each verse thereafter, add another body part that you touch but don't mention aloud.
If I Were Not a . . . Scout
[Tune: This is the Music Concert]
Now I'm a [Boy/Girl] Scout, as you can plainly see.
But if I weren't a [Boy/Girl] Scout, . . .
1. A bird watcher I'd be
Hark a lark, flying through the park, SPLAT!
2. A plumber I would be
Plunge it, flush it, look out below!
3. A mermaid I would be
Bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop!
4. A carpenter I'd be
Two by four, nail it to the floor!
5. A secretary I'd be
z-z-z-z get the point, z-z-z-z get the point?
6. A teacher I would be
Sit down, shut up, throw away your gum!
7. An airline attendant I'd be
Coffee, tea, or me, sir; here's your little bag, BLEH!
8. A typist I would be
Ticka, ticka, ticka, ticka, ticka, ticka, ZING!
9. A hippie I would be
Love and peace, my hair is full of grease!
10.A farmer I would be
Here's a cow, there's a cow, and here's another yuck!
11.A laundry worker I would be
Starchy here, starchy there, starchy in your underwear!
12.A cashier I would be
Twenty nine, forty nine, here is your change, sir!
13.A gym teacher I'd be
We must, we must, improve the bust!
14.A medic I would be
Turn around, drop your pants, jab, jab, jab!
15.A doctor I would be
Take a pill; pay my bill! I'm going golfing!
16.An electrician I would be
Positive, negative; turn on the juice-ZZZT!
17.A fireman I would be
Jump lady! Jump lady! Whoo-ooah! GOTCHA!
18.A cook I would be
Mix it, bake it; heartburn-BURP!
19.A ice cream maker I'd be
Tutti-frutti, tutti-fruitti, nice ice cream!
20.A politician I would be
Raise the taxes, lower the pay, vote for me on election day!
21.A butcher I would be
Chop it up, grind it up, make a little patty!
22.A garbage collector I'd be
Lift it, dump it, sort out the goodies!
23.A [Domino's] pizza maker I'd be
30 minute, fast delivery!
24.A clam digger I would be
Dig one here, dig one there-Oh my frozen derriere!
25.Superman I would be
It's a bird, it's a plane, where is Lois Lane?
26.Lois Lane I would be
Get away, get away, get away, Clark Kent!
27.A cyclist I would be
peddle, peddle, peddle, peddle; ring, ring, ring!
28.A truck driver I'd be
Here's a curve, there's a curve. HERE'S A BETTER CURVE! [Makes outline of
shapely woman.]
29.A house cleaner I'd be
Ooh, a bug; squish it in the rug!
30.A baby [toddler] I would be
Mama, Dada, I wuv you!
31.A Preacher I would be
Well, well, you never can tell; you might go to heaven, or you might go to hell!
Finally: A [Opposite organization] Scout I would be!
If It's Raining
If it's raining and you know it clap your hands (twice).
[Repeat.]
If it's raining and you know it then your clothes will surely show it.
If it's raining and you know it clap your hands (twice).
If the mud is only knee deep, stamp your feet (twice). [Repeat.]
If the mud is only knee deep, and you wish that it were hip deep,
If the mud is only knee deep, stamp your feet (twice).
If the wind is really blowing, shake your head (twice).
[Repeat.]
If the wind is really blowing, and your permanent is going,
If the wind is really blowing, shake your head (twice).
If the temperature is falling, rub your hands. [Repeat.]
If the temperature is falling, and your spirits are appalling,
If the temperature is falling, rub your hands.
If You're Happy
If you're happy and you know it [clap your hands (twice).]
[Repeat.]
If you're happy and you know it then you really ought to show it.
If you're happy and you know it [clap your hands (twice).]
2. Stamp your feet. 3. Give the sign [Scout sign]. 4. Shout
'HOORAY.' 5. Do all four.
If You're Daffy
Same format as "If You're Happy" but substitute: clap your fingers; knock your knees.
I'm a Little Hunk of Tin
I'm a little hunk of tin, nobody knows what shape I'm in.
Got four wheels and a running board, I'm a four-door, I'm a Ford.
Honk-honk, rattle-rattle, don't crash, beep-beep [repeat twice ]
Honk-honk, honk-honk, honk-honk.
Actions: honk-pull ears; rattle-shake head; crash-cover face with hands; beep-push on nose with flat of hand
I've Got That Scouting Spirit
I've got that Scouting spirit up in my head, up in my head, up in my head.
I've got that Scouting spirit up in my head, up in my head to stay.
2. I've got that Scouting spirit deep in my heart.
3. I've got that Scouting spirit down in my feet.
4. I've got that Scouting spirit all over me.
John Brown's Baby
[Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic]
John Brown's baby had a cold upon its chest.[Repeat twice more.]
So they rubbed it with camphorated oil.
The second time through, replace the word, "chest" by patting the chest. Next time, substitute a cough for the word, "cold." Then, substitute baby-rocking arm motions for the word, "baby."
Junior Birdmen
[Tune: On Brave Old Army Team]
Up in the air, Junior Birdmen; up in the air, upside down,
Up in the air, Junior Birdmen; with your noses to the ground.
And when you hear the grand announcement: that your wings are made of tin.
Well, then you know, Junior Birdmen, it's time to send your box tops in.
For it takes: 5 box tops, 4 bottle bottoms, 3 coupons, 2 wrappers, and one thin dime!
Actions: Make a face mask each time you sing the words, "Junior Birdmen" by
lacing your fingers. Then, with thumbs under the chin, twist your hands outwards
so that you make goggles for the eyes. On "Upside down," perform a jet plane
swoop outstretched arms. On "Ground," bring the swooping arms as near to the
ground as possible.
Kee Chee
A wuni kuni ka yah wuni, [Repeat.]
Ahyi yi iki ay kae ayna, [Repeat.]
Ah ooo, ah ooo, ah dee mee KEE CHEE.
Actions:
1. Hands on own knees; hands on knees of person to the left; hands on own knees; hands on knees of person to the right.
2. Hands on own knees; hands crossed on own knees; hands uncrossed on own knees; Left hand on knee of person to the left while right hand in knee of person to the right.
3. Left arm extends forward; right hand touches left wrist then left shoulder; left hand crosses to right shoulder; right arm extends forward; left hand touches right wrist then right shoulder; right hand crosses to left shoulder. (At end of song, hands are crossed, touching opposite shoulder.)
Kum Ba Yah (Come By Here)
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! [Repeat twice more.]
Oh Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone's sleeping, Lord . . .
Someone's crying, Lord . . .
Someone's singing, Lord . . .
Someone's laughing, Lord . . .
Someone's praying, Lord . . .
Someone's Scouting, Lord . . .
Someone's camping, Lord . . .
Add other verses, as appropriate.
Actions:
"Kum Ba Yah" - hand over hand, then arms out to either side.
"Lord" - extend arms upward.
Other actions are as expected, for example: "Scouting" (Scout sign); "camping"
(made tent shape with hands).
Little Bunny Fru-Fru
Little bunny Fru-fru, hoppin' though the forest,
Scoopin' up the field mice and battin' them on the head.
Along came the good fairy, and she said:
"Little bunny Fru-fru, I don't want to see you
Scoopin' up the field mice and battin' them on the head.
I'll give you three chances to change your ways, and if you don't obey, I'll
turn you into a goon."
So the next day . . . [Repeat-two more chances . . . ]
So the next day . . . [Repeat-one more chance . . . ]
So the next day . . . [Repeat]
"I gave you three chances to change your ways and you didn't obey, so now I'm
turning you into goon. Pooff! You're a goon.
And the moral of this story is . . . 'Hare today and goon tomorrow.'
Little Rabbit
In a cabin in the woods, little old man by the window stood. Saw a rabbit
hopping by, frightened as can be.
"Help me, help me, help me." He said,
"Before the hunter shoots me dead."
Come little rabbit, come inside; safely at my side.
Menu Song
Today is Monday, today is Monday.
Monday-Roast beef!
Is everybody happy? Well, I should say.
Today is Tuesday, today is Tuesday.
Tuesday-String beans!
Monday-Roast beef!
Is everybody happy? Well, I should say.
Continue in the same way, adding a new day each time and sing back down to Monday with each verse:
Wednesday-Sou-oop!
Thursday-Meat loaf!
Friday-Fish day!
Saturday-Baked beans!
Sunday-Worship!
To add variety and interest, break up your audience into groups and assign a specific day to each group. The group assigned to a specific day stands while singing and sits while not. Everyone sings "Is everybody happy . . . ."
Music Concert
In this song, the sound of each instrument is added to the
previous one after each verse.
This is the music concert from the fatherland. [Audience repeat.]
And I play the viola . . . .Vio-vio-vio-la, vio-vio-vio-la,
vio-vio-vio-la, vio-vio-vio-la.
And I play the piano . . . . Plink, plink, plink-plink-plink
And I play the bass drum . . . . Boom, boom. boom-boom-boom
And I play the trumpet . . . . Ta, ta, ta-ta-ta, etc.
And I play the tuba . . . . Oompah, oopah-pah, etc.
And I play the bagpipes . . . . Gnaa, gnaa, gnaa-na-na, etc.
And I play the bass violin . . . . Zoom, zoom, zoom-zoom-zoom.. And I am the
conductor . . . . [Make the motions of a conductor.]
My Aunt Came Back
My Aunt came back from old Algiers;
She brought to me a pair of shears.
. . . from old Japan . . . a hand-made fan.
. . . from Holland too . . . a wooden shoe. [stomp foot]
. . . from Kalamazoo . . . some gum to chew.
. . . from the Belgian fair . . . a rocking chair.
. . . when she was able . . . a ping pong table. [turn head from side to side]
. . . from the Hebrides . . . some itchy fleas. [squirm]
. . . from the Argentine . . . a sewing machine.
. . . from Timbuktu . . . some nuts like you!
At the end of each stanza, add a suitable motion for the audience to do (standing). As the motions accumulate the audience has an increasingly difficult time doing them all the same time, hence the appropriateness of the last stanza.
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
My Bonnie lies over the sea,
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back, Oh bring back my Bonnie to me, to me; [Repeat.]
Action: As you sing each word beginning with the letter B, change from a
standing to a sitting position and vice versa. All should be standing at the end
of the song. When you have mastered these movements, sing it again, faster.
My Hat It Has Three Corners
My hat it has three corners,
Three corners has my hat,
And had it not three corners,
It would not be my hat.
The first time, sing all the words. The second time, touch the top of the head instead of saying the word, "hat." The third time, also hold up three fingers instead of saying the word, "three." The fourth time, keep all the previous actions and hold up an elbow instead of saying the word, "corners."
One Finger, One Thumb
One finger, one thumb, one hand, keep moving [repeat twice]
And we'll all be happy again!
One finger, one thumb, one hand, two hands keep moving [repeat 2 more times.]
And we'll all be happy again!
With each new verse, add the following in succession: 3. One arm; 4. Two arms; 5. One leg; 6. Two legs; 7. Stand up-sit down; 8. [Stand up] Turn around [Sit down].
Pass the Shoe
You must pass the shoe from me to you, to you,
You must pass the shoe, and do just like I do.
For this song game you can substitute a cup, rock, or any suitable object for a person's actual shoe. Form an ring; as you sing, give the "shoe" you currently have to the person on your right whenever you get to an underlined word. Note that only the second "do" is underlined; on the first "do", you simply wave the "shoe", you don't give it up just yet.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
First ya find the peanuts and ya dig 'em;
Ya dig 'em, ya dig 'em, dig 'em, dig 'em.
Then you take the peanuts and ya smash 'em, . . . .
Then you take the butter and ya spread it, . . . .
Chorus
Peanut, peanut butter; jelly! [Repeat.]
Then you find the grapes and ya pick 'em, . . . .
Then you take the grapes and ya smash 'em, . . . .
Then you take the jelly and ya spread it, . . . .
Then you take the bread and ya fold it, . . . .
Then you take the sandwich and ya munch it, . . . .
The last time through the chorus, after eating the sandwich, mumble the words terribly as though there is peanut butter stuck to the roof of the mouth.
Singing in the Rain
We're singing in the rain, just singing in the rain.
What a glorious feeling, we're happy again.
Thumbs up! [Group echoes.]
Toot-ta-ta-da, toot-ta-ta-da, toot-DA-DA. [Group echoes.]
Add each of the following, in turn:
Elbows in
Knees bent
Toes together
Buns back
Chest out
Chin down
Tongue out
The Little Green Frog
Um-ah [with the tongue], went the little green frog one day.
Um-ah, went the little green frog.
Um-ah, went the little green frog one day.
And the frog he went um-ah, um-ah, ah.
ka-yunk, went the little green frog one day.
ka-yunk, went the little green frog.
ka-yunk, went the little green frog one day.
And his eyes went yenk, yank, yunk. [Make eye-popping gestures with hands.]
This Old Man
This old man, he plays one,
He plays knick-knack on my thumb.
With a knick-knack, paddy-wack, give a dog a bone.
This old man goes rolling home.
Two-on my shoe. [Tap shoe.]
Three-on my knee. [Tap on knee.]
Four-on the floor. [Touch the floor.]
Five-on my hive. [Move hands as if brushing bees away]
Six-on my sticks. [Tap knuckles of other hand.]
Seven-up to Devon. [Shake fist.]
Eight-on my pate. [Tap top of head.]
Nine-on my spine. [Touch backbone.]
Ten-now and then. [Raise hands shoulder high, open and close fists in rhythm.]
Three Wood Pigeons
Three wood pigeons, three wood pigeons,
Three wood pigeons sitting in a tree.
LEADER: Look! One has flown away!
GROUP: Aww! Wailing
Two wood pigeons, two wood pigeons, etc.
LEADER: Look! Another has flown!
GROUP: Oh-h-h! Louder wailing
One wood pigeon, one wood pigeon, etc.
LEADER: Oh-oh! There goes the last one!
GROUP: Oh-h-h! Very loud wailing
No wood pigeons, no wood pigeons, etc.
LEADER: But, wait! One has returned!
GROUP: Ah-h! Joyfully
One wood pigeon, one wood pigeon, etc.
LEADER: Now, another has returned!
GROUP:Loud cheers
Two wood pigeons, two wood pigeons, etc.
LEADER: Hurray! The third one has returned!
GROUP: Tremendous cheers
Three wood pigeons, three wood pigeons, etc. Rapidly and enthusiastically
Actions: Choose three persons to represent the pigeons. On cue, these 'fly'
off (or in) with comical antics.
Way Over the Irish Sea
When I was one, I had just begun
The day I went to sea
I climbed aboard a pirate ship and the captain said to me,
"We'll go this way, that way, forward and back
Way over the Irish Sea.
A bottle of Coke to soothe my throat,
And that's the life for me.
Da, da, dum; da, da, dum . . .
When I was two, I tied my shoe . . .
When I was three, I bumped my knee . . .
When I was four, I shut the door . . .
When I was five, I was still alive . . .
When I was six, I gathered sticks . . .
When I was seven, I was almost in heaven . . .
When I was eight, I closed the gate . . .
When I was nine, I was feeling fine . . .
When I was ten, I started over again . . .
[Suggested motions: "...climbed aboard..." {as if climbing up the side of a
ship} "...the captain said..." {give salute}
"We'll go..." {bend at the waist; first left, right, for ward, and back}
"...over the Irish Sea." {make waves with hand}
"...bottle of coke..." {as if chugging a soft drink} "...to
soothe my throat..." {touch throat with hand} "...that's the
life..." {slap knee and raise hand} "...da, da, dum..." {step
forward, step back}
With My Hand on Myself
With my hand on myself, vas is das here? [Touch top of head.]
Das is mine topnotcher, ya mama dear.
Topnotcher, topnotcher, ya mama dear.
Dot's vot I learned in der school, boom-boom.
To continue, substitute a word from the following list for
"topnotcher" and add to the list each time you sing. Recite
in reverse as with the Menu Song.
Sweat brower
Eye winker
Horn blower
Soup strainer
Lunch eater
Chin chowser
Rubbernecker
Chest protector
Breadbasket
Foot stomper
. . . Scout Camp
. . . Scout Camp, . . . Scout Camp
The busses that you ride in, they say are mighty fine,
But when they turn a corner, they leave the wheels behind.
Chorus
Oh, I don't want to go to . . . Scout Camp.
Gee, Mom, I want to go, but they won't let me go;
Gee, Mom, I want to go home.
The leaders that they have here, they say are mighty fine,
But when you get up closer, they look like frankenstein.
The first aid that they give you, they say is mighty fine,
But if you cut your finger, you're left with only nine.
The water that they have here they say is mighty fine,
But when you try to drink it, it tastes like turpentine.
The biscuits that they serve you, they say are mighty fine,
But one rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine
The spaghetti that they serve you, they say is mighty fine
They rinse it the toilet and drain it on the line/
The cocoa that they serve you, they say is mighty fine
It's good for cuts and bruises and tastes like iodine.
The tents/cabins that you sleep in, they say are mighty fine,
But whoever said this has never slept in mine.
The toilets that they have here are the best that they can get,
Last night my tent mate had to go, they haven't found him yet.
After the Ball Was Over
After the ball was over, after the break of morn,
After the dancers' leaving, after the stars are gone;
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all;
Many the hopes that have vanished, after the ball.
After the ball was over, she took out her glass eye,
Put her false teeth in the water, hung up her wig to dry;
Placed her false arm on the table, laid her false leg on the chair;
After the party was over, she was only half there!
Bananas, Coconuts and Grapes
I like bananas, coconuts, and grapes. [Repeat twice more.]
That's why they call me: TARZAN OF THE APES!
Sing three or four times: the first time loudly; the second time softly
(except for the "Tarzan" part); the third time, whisper all but the "Tarzan"
part; the last time, no one makes a sound until all shout in unison, "TARZAN . .
. .
Black Socks
Black socks, they never get dirty.
The more that you wear them, the stronger they get.
Someday, I think I will change them;
But something inside me keeps saying not yet, not yet, not yet . . .
[Typically sung as a round.]
By the Light of my Scout Flashlight
[Tune: By the Light of the Silvery Moon]
By the light of my Scout flashlight,
Wish I could see, what it was that just bit my knee.
Batteries, why-y did you fail me?
The chance is slim, the chance is slight,
I can last through the night, with my Scout flashlight.
Cannibal King, Medley
Oh, a cannibal king with a big nose ring, fell in love with a dusky maid,
And every night by the pale moonlight, across the lake he came.
Oh, a hug and a kiss for his cannibal miss, in the shade of the old palm tree,
Whenever they met, they sang a duet, that sounded like this to me:
Bar-rumph [kiss, kiss], bar-rumph [kiss, kiss], bar-rumph ti di a di aye,
Bar-rumph [kiss, kiss], bar-rumph [kiss, kiss], bar-rumph ti di a di aye.
We'll build a bungalow, big enough for two,
Big enough for two, my honey, big enough for two, wa, wa, wa,
When we are married, happy we'll be,
Under the bamboo, under the bamboo tree,
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
If you'll be M-I-N-E mine, I'll be T-H-I-N-E thine,
And I'll L-O-V-E love you all the T-I-M-E time;
You are the B-E-S-T best of all the R-E-S-T rest,
And I'll L-O-V-E love you all the T-I-M-E,
Wrap 'em up, stack 'em up, any old time.
Cheese
It's cheese, it's cheese, it's cheese that makes the mice go round.
It's cheese, it's cheese, it's cheese that makes the mice go round.
It's cheese, it's cheese, it's cheese that makes the mice go round.
It's cheese that makes the mice go round.
It's mice, it's mice, it's mice that make the cats go round . . .
It's cats, it's cats, it's cats that make the dogs go round. . . .
It's dogs, it's dogs, it's dogs that make the boys go round. . . .
It's boys, it's boys, it's boys that make the girls go round. . . .
It's girls, it's girls, it's girls that make the love go round. . . .
It's love, it's love, it's love that make the world go round. . . .
And so you see: it's really cheese;
It's cheese, it's cheese that makes the world go round. . . .
Commercial Mix-up
[Tune: Farmer in the Dell]
Last night I watched TV, I saw my favorite show.
I heard this strange commercial, and I can't believe it's so.
Feed your dog Chiffon. Comet cures the cold.
Use S-O-S pads on your face to keep from looking old.
Mop your floors with Crest. Use Crisco on your tile.
Clean your teeth with Borateem, it leaves a shining smile.
For headaches take some Certs. Use Tide to clean your face.
And do shampoo with Elmer's Glue, it holds your hair in place.
Perhaps I am confused, I might not have it right.
But one thing that I'm certain of, I'll watch TV tonight!.
Dummy Line
Chorus
On the dummy line, on the dummy line;
Rain or shine, I'll pay my fine;
Rain or shine, I'll pay my fine;
Ride, ride, riding on the dummy line.
I got on the train and didn't have the fare,
The conductor said, "Whatcha doin' there?"
He grabbed me by the collar and shoved me out the door.
Said, "I don't want to see you on this line no more!"
Little Willy was home by himself.
Found a chocolate cake on the kitchen shelf.
Willy said, "If I eat this cake,
Sis won't get a belly ache."
Little Willy saw a mill saw buzz,
Didn't know quite what it was,
Now his arm is full of nicks,
And, alas poor Willy, he's cut in six.
Little Willy found some dynamite,
He didn't understand it quite,
But curiosity never pays,
It rained Willy several days.
Little Willy coming home from school,
Spied a half a dollar at the foot of a mule.
Stooped down to pick it up, quiet as a mouse.
Funeral tomorrow at little Willy's house!
Little birdie in the sky,
Dropped some whitewash in my eye.
Says I to me; says me to I,
"I'm sure glad that cows can't fly!"
There was a boy by the name of Jack,
Pitched his tent on a railroad track.
Midnight express came around the bend.
What kind of flowers did you send?
There once was a doctor, his name was Peck,
He fell in a well and he broke his neck.
It served him right, for he should've known;
To tend to the sick and leave the well alone!
There once was a hunter, his name was O'Hare.
He was chased by a grizzly bear.
The people all thought he was out of his mind,
Running down the street with a bear behind!
There was an old witch by the name of Nan,
Who tried to pass as a good humor man.
Couldn't fool the kids, they all stayed home
They would not buy from an ice cream crone.
My grandpa had a car, it was a Ford machine.
His whiskers came in handy for straining gasoline.
My grandma had a habit of chewing in her sleep.
She chewed on grandpa's whiskers and dreamed of shredded wheat!
Dunderbeck
There was a strange old butcher. His name was Dunderbeck.
He was very fond of sausage-meat, and sauerkraut and speck.
He had the finest butcher shop, the finest ever seen,
Until one day he invented his wonderful sausage machine.
Chorus
On Mr. Dunderbeck! How could you be so mean?
I told you you'd be sorry for inventing that machine,
For all the neighbor's dogs and cats will never more be seen,
They'll all be ground to sausage meat in Dunderbeck's machine.
One day a very little girl came walking in the store.
She ordered up some sausage meat and eggs, a half a score.
And while she stood a-waiting she whistled up a tune,
And the sausage meat it started up and danced around the room.
Once day when he was working the machine it would not go.
So Dunderbeck, he climbed inside to see what made it so.
His wife she had a night-mare and came walking in her sleep.
She gave the crank a heck of a yank, and Dunderbeck was meat!
Eats Song
[Tune: "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here"]
Soup, soup, we all want soup,
Tip your bowl and drain it, let your front teeth strain it.
Hark, hark, that funny sound, listen that slurping round.
Meat, meat, bring on the meat,
Fresh and juicy cow meat, ham and picked pig feet,
Lamp chops and pork chops too, any kind of meat will do.
Fish, fish, we must have fish,
We don't want it bony, nor a little phony.
Fresh, fresh, we won't eat stale, any kind of fish but whale.
[Another] Frog Song
[Tune: Brownie Smile Song]
I have something in my pocket that I found behind a log,
My leader said to put it back, it's a great big slippery frog!
It's squishy and it's slimy and it wiggles in my hand.
I also have a wooly worm and a pocket full of sand.
Found a Peanut
[Tune: Clementine]
Found a peanut, found a peanut, found a peanut just now.
Just now I found a peanut, found a peanut just now.
Continue in the same manner with:
2. It was rotten, . . .
3. Ate it anyway, . . .
4. Got sick, . . .
5. Called the doctor, . . .
6. Had surgery, . . .
7. Died anyway, . . .
8. Went to heaven, . . .
9. Kicked an angel, . . .
10.Went the other way, . . .
11.Found a peanut, . . .
12.Threw it away, . . .
Fried Ham
Fried ham, fried ham, cheese and baloney;
After the macaroni, we'll have onions, and pickles, and olives, and pretzels;
Then we'll have some more fried ham, fried ham.
Next verse, same as the first, . . . style:
Some suggested styles: OPERA, ORIENTAL, . . . SCOUT, SOUTHERN DRAWL
Glory, Glory, How Peculiar
[Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic]
As one woodpecker pecked up the peg, the other woodpecker pecked down. [Repeat three times.]
Chorus
Glory, glory, how peculiar. [Repeat two times.]
[Repeat stanza.]
As one sly snake slipped up the slide, other sly snake slipped down.
As one blue bat blew in the bowl, other blue bat blew out.
As one black bug bled blue black blood, the other black bug bled blue.
As one drunk duck dove into the ditch, the other drunk duck dropped dead.
As one flea fly flew up the flue, the other flea fly flew down.
As one pink porpoise popped into the pool, other pink porpoise popped out.
As one brown bear backed up the bank, other brown bear backed down.
As one white whale whipped over the waves, other white whale whipped under.
God Bless My Underwear
[Tune: God Bless America]
God bless my underwear, my only pair.
Stand beside them, and guide them,
Through the rips, through the holes, through the tears.
From the washer, to the dryer, to the clothesline in the air.
God bless my underwear, my only pair.
Gory, Gory
[Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic]
He jumped out of the aeroplane without a parachute
[Repeat twice more.]
But he ain't going to jump no more.
Chorus
Gory, gory, what a heck of a way to die. [Repeat twice more.] Well, he ain't going to jump no more.
He landed on the tarmack like a dab of strawberry jam.
[Repeat twice more.]
And he ain't going to jump no more.
We scraped him up and mailed him back inside an envelope.
[Repeat twice more.]
And he ain't going to jump no more.
Ham and Eggs
Ham and eggs, ham and eggs,
I like mine fried nice and brown,
I like mine fried upside down.
Ham and eggs, ham and eggs,
Flip 'em, flop 'em, flop 'em, flip 'em; ham and eggs!
Variation: Divide group in two and alternatively sing phases between the
punctuation. All sing the last "ham and eggs."
Horse Fly
[Tune: The More We Get Together.]
Did you ever see a horse fly, a horse fly, a horse fly?
Did you ever see a horse fly, a horse fly, fly, fly?
Did you ever see a board walk, a board walk, a board walk?
Did you ever see a board walk, a board walk, walk, walk?
Additional verses: Shoe lace, hair pin, tooth pick, eye drop, neck tie, moth bawl, eye lash, yard stick, ear drum, clam bake.
I Met a Bear
[Tune: Sipping Cider Through a Straw]
The other day, I met a bear,
Out in the woods, away out there. [Point.]
He looked at me, I looked at him,
He sized up me, I sized up him.
He says to me, "Why don't you run?"
"'Cause I can see, you have no gun."
I says to him, "That's a good idea."
"Now legs get going, get me out of here!"
I began to run, away from there,
But right behind me was that bear.
And on the path ahead of me,
I saw a tree, Oh glory be.
The lowest branch was ten feet up,
I'd have to jump and trust to luck.
And so I jumped into the air,
But I missed that branch away up there.
Now don't you fret, and don't you frown,
I caught that branch on the way back down.
That's all there is, there ain't no more,
Unless I met that bear once more.
I Wish I Was
[Tune: If You're Happy]
Oh, I wish I was a little stripe-ed skunk.
Oh, I wish I was a little stripe-ed skunk.
I would sit up in the tree-sies, and perfume all the
breezies.
Oh, I wish I was a little stripe-ed skunk.
Mosquito-Oh, I'd itchy and I'd bitey, under everybody's nighty.
Cake of Soap-Oh, I'd slippy and I'd slidey over everybody's hidey.
Fishy in the Sea-Oh, wouldn't I look cute, without my bathing suit.
English Sparrow-Oh, I'd sit up in the steeple, and spit on all the people.
Bog o' Mud-Oh, I'd oozy and I'd goozy into everybody's shoesie.
Slippery Root-Oh, I'd stick up in the trail, and I'd flop you on your tail.
Candle Flame-Oh, I'd be so very bright, and go out every night.
Safety Pin-And everything that's busted, I would hold until I rusted.
Can of Soda-I'd go down with a slurp, and come up with a burp.
Kangaroo-Oh, I'd hippy and I'd hoppy inside my mommy's pockie.
Spoon of Castor Oil-Oh, I'd lubricate the chassies of all the lads and lassies.
Sugar Bun-Oh, I'd slippy and I'd slidey into everyone's insides.
Juicy little orange-When you squeeze me, I would squirty onto everybody's shirty.
Foreign car-I would run and I'd speedy over slow pedestrians' feety.
Water Bed-Oh, I'd wobble and I'd wiggle and make the sleepers giggle.
Ilky Moor
1. Where hast tha' been since I saw thee, I saw thee? On Ilky moor baht hat. Where hast tha' been since I saw . . . Where hast tha' been since I saw . . . Where hast tha' been since I saw thee, since I saw thee? On Ilky moor baht hat. On Ilky moor baht hat. On Ilky moor baht hat.
2. Tha's been a-courting Mary Jane.
3. Tha'll go and catch thy death of cold.
4. Then we shall have to bury thee.
5. Then worms will come and eat thee up.
6. Then ducks will come and eat up worms.
7. Then we shall go and eat up ducks.
8. Then we shall all have eaten thee.
9. That's where we get our Johnny back.
I'm Being Swallowed By A Boa Constrictor
I'm being swallowed by a boa constrictor, [Repeat twice]
And I don't like it one little bit!
Oh no! He swallowed my toe.
Oh gee! He's up to my knee.
Oh my! He's up to my thigh.
Oh fiddle! He's up to my middle.
Oh heck! He's up to my neck.
Oh dread! He's up to my . . .
[Make sound of victim being swallowed up.]
It Ain't Gonna Rain No More
Oh! the night was dark and dreary,
The air was full of sleet,
The old man stood out in the storm,
His shoes were full of feet.
Chorus
Oh, it ain't gonna rain no more, no more,
It ain't gonna rain no more,
How in the heck can I wash my neck,
If it ain't gonna rain no more.
Oh! Mosquito he fly high,
Mosquito he fly low,
If old man 'Skeeta light on me,
He ain't gonna fly no more.
Oh the butterfly flits on wings of gold,
The June-Bug wings of flame,
The Bed-Bug has no wings at all,
But he gets there just the same.
Here's to the chigger who's not any bigger,
That the head of a very small pin.
But the lump that it raises itches like the blazes,
And that's where the rub comes in.
Saw a black-and-white animal in the woods,
Say ain't that little cat pretty,
Went right over to pick it up,
But it wasn't that kind of kitty.
When Mr. Noah built the Ark,
He said it was his duty,
He saved the birds and beasts and bugs,
But why did he save the cootie?
Oh, of all the fishes in the sea,
My favorite is the bass,
He climbs up in the seaweed trees,
And slides down on his hands and knees.
A peanut sat on a railroad track,
Its heart was all a-flutter,
Along came a choo-choo train,
Toot, Toot! Peanut butter!
Oh a man lay down by a sewer
And by a sewer he died.
Now, at the coroner's request,
They called it sewer-side.
A golf ball sailin' thru the air,
Whizzed by a man a hummin'
He heard a caddy holler, "Fore!"
An' he thought three more were comin'.
"The way to tell the twins apart,"
The proud father said,
"I put my finger in Willie's mouth,
If he bites it, then it's Ned."
When boating, never quarrel,
For you'll find, without a doubt,
A boat is not the proper place
To have a falling out.
"The coffee is exhausted, Sir."
The diner was advised.
Says he, "It's been so weak of late,
I'm really not surprised."
There's a gal up in the hills,
She's awfully shy and meek,
She undresses in the dark
Because the mountains peak.
The rich man drives a Cadillac,
The poor man drives a Ford.
But my old man drives down the road,
Between four wheels and a board.
Mary had a little lamb,
She fed it castor oil.
And everywhere that little lamb went,
It fertilized the soil.
Mary had a steamboat;
The steamboat had a bell.
Mary went to heaven,
The steamboat went "Toot, toot."
Mary had a little lamb,
But now that lamb is dead.
So now she takes the lamb to school,
Between two slabs of bread.
When Mary had a little lamb,
The doctor almost cried.
But when Ol' MacDonald had a farm,
The doctor almost died.
Said baby tern to mother tern,
"Can I have a brother."
"Yes" said mom to baby tern,
"One good tern deserves another."
Mary is a proper girl,
She goes to church on Sundays.
She prays to the Lord to give her strength,
To chase the boys on Mondays.
Oh for a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play.
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
For what can an antelope say?
It's An Insect World
It's a world of centipedes, a world of moths,
It's a world of katydids, a world of wasps
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware,
It's an insect world.
Chorus
It's an insect covered world, [repeat twice].
It's an insect world.
It's a world of beetles, a world of fleas,
It's a world of caterpillars, a world of bees,
In this world that we know there is so much to show,
It's an insect world.
Just a Boy and a Girl
Just a boy and a girl in a little canoe with the moon shining all around.
And he paddled and he paddled so slow and easy that you couldn't even hear a
sound.
And they talked and they talked 'til the moon grew dim,
He said, "You better kiss me or get out and swim."
So, what ya gonna do in a little canoe,
With the moon shining all a . . . , boats floating all a . . ., GIRL swimming
all around.
K-K-Katy - silly verses
[Tune: K-K-Katy]
C-c-c-chigger, horrible chigger,
You're the only b-b-b-bug that I abhor.
When the m-m-moon shines over the campsite,
I will scratch my b-b-b-bites until they're sore.
C-c-c-chicken, a la-la king-en,
You're so g-g-g-good I want some more.
When b-banquet is all over,
I'll be waiting at the b-b-b-bathroom door.
G-g-g-grapefruit, belligerent grapefruit,
You're the only f-f-f-fruit that I detest.
When I sp-spoon you from the rind,
All the j-j-j-juice squirts right out on my vest.
I-i-i-ice cream, c-c-c-cake-um,
You're the very f-f-f-food that I adore.
When I've f-finished with my salad,
Please come through the k-k-k-kitchen door.
Lions and Tigers and Bears
[Tune: When Johnny Comes Marching Home]
When lions are roaming on the plain, hurrah, hurrah. [Repeat.]
When lions are roaming on the plain, we fall on our knees and pray for rain.
Chorus
And we all go running up to the hills to get out of their
way,
Hey, hey, hey.
When tigers go stalking in the wood, . . .
All creatures do what they know they should.
When bears are growling loud and long, . . .
Everyone flees but the young and the strong.
When rhinos go marching to the lake, . . .
Trees do bend and the ground does shake.
Lydia Pinkham
Chorus
So Let us drink-a, drink-a, drink,
To Lydia Pinkham, Pinkham, Pink.
The savior of the human race.
She invented a vegetable compound
Twas efficacious in every case.
Here's a story, a little bit gory,
A little bit happy, a little bit sad.
Of Lydia Pinkham and her vegetable compound,
And how it drove her to the bad.
My brother Bob, he was quite a slob,
He used to drool all over town.
'Til they gave him vegetable compound,
And in a week he almost drowned.
Johnny Hammer, had a terrible stammer.
He could barely say a word.
So they gave him vegetable compound,
Now he's seen but never heard.
Oh, Uncle Paul, he was so small.
He was the shortest man in town.
'Til they rubbed him with vegetable compound,
Now he weighs but half a pound.
A lady named Gwen had no children.
She was barren we did fear.
'Til they gave her vegetable compound,
Now she delivers twice a year.
Ebenezer thought he was Julius Caesar,
So they put him in a home.
There they gave him vegetable compound,
Now he's emperor of Rome.
Poor Lydia died and went to heaven.
All the church bells they did ring.
But she took along her vegetable compound,
Hark, how the Herald Angels sing!
Lydia Pinkham (1819-1883) was an American proprietor who claimed that her
Vegetable Compound, a blend of herbs and 18% alcohol, could cure any "female
complaint" from nervous prostration to a prolapsed uterus. Although its
therapeutic effects were never substantiated by medical proof, her product
gained popularity among women, many of whom hesitated to consult male physicians
about female problems." In the 1920s, federal regulations caused both the
product's claims and its alcohol content to be reduced.
Magdalena Tagalena
Chorus
Oh, Magdalena tagalena, wocha-tocha, wocha-tocha,
Wocha-tocha-mocha was her name.
She had two hairs on the top of her head,
One was alive and the other one was dead.
She had two eyes in the middle of her head,
One was green and the other one was red.
She had a nose as long as a hose,
It curled at the end and was red like a rose.
She had two teeth in the middle of her mouth,
One pointed north and the other pointed south.
She had two feet as flat a mat,
No one knew how she got around like that.
One day a ten-ton truck ran over poor Magdalena,
And the poor guy had to get a new machina.
Mules
[Tune: Auld Lang Syne]
On mules we find two legs behind, and two we find before;
We stand behind before we find, what the two behind be for.
When we're behind the two behind, we find what these be for;
So stand before the two behind, and behind the two before.
My Bonnie-silly verses
My Bonnie's complexion was makeup, her face, it was beauteous to see;
Until she got caught in a rainstorm, Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
My Bonnie leaned over the gas tank, the height of its contents to see;
I lighted a match to assist her, Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
My Bonnie has tuberculosis, my Bonnie has only one lung,
My Bonnie can cough up raw oysters, and roll them around on her tongue.
My mother's an apple pie maker, my father he fiddles for tin,
My sister scrubs floors for a living, Oh boy, how the money rolls in.
Rolls in, rolls in, Oh boy, how the money rolls in, rolls in, etc.
Last night as I lay on my pillow, last night as I lay on my bed,
I stuck my feet out the window, next morning my neighbors were dead.
Bring back, bring back, Oh, bring my neighbors to me, to me, etc.
My Stomach Has Had It
[Tune: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean]
My breakfast lies over the ocean,
My dinner lies over the sea,
My stomach is in a commotion,
Don't mention my supper to me.
Chorus
Bring back, bring back, Oh bring
Back my bucket to me, to me . . .
I really felt rotten this morning,
They tell me I really looked pale,
My stomach gave adequate warning,
To lean far out over the rail.
The sound of a stomach in motion,
A murmuring noise inside me,
I looked down and there on the water,
Was breakfast and dinner and tea.
National Embalming School
[Tune: (mostly) O, Tannenbaum]
We live for you, we die for you, National Embalming School.
We do our best to give you rest, National Embalming School.
And when you die, we'll dig a hole, and bury you so deep and cold.
We live for you, we die for you, National Embalming School.
Post mortem, post mortem, post mortem, autopsy we must have.
[Repeat]
Cut! Slash! Gash! Bleed! We must know the reason.
Glory how the body stinks! It must be out of season.
We live for you, we die for you, National Embalming School.
One Fish Ball
A man was walking up and down,
To find a place where he could dine in town;
A man was walking up and down,
To find a place where he could dine.
He found himself a fancy place,
And entered in with simple grace. [Repeat.]
He took his purse his pocket hence,
But all he found was fifteen cents.
He scanned the menu through and through,
To see what fifteen cents would do.
The only thing 'twould to at all,
Was buy just one fish ball.
He call the waiter down the hall,
And softly whispered, "One fish ball."
The waiter bellowed down the hall,
"This gentlemen here wants one fish ball!"
The guests, they turned both one and all
To see who'd ordered one fish ball.
The shaken man grew ill at ease,
But softly whispered, "Bread, sir, please.
The waiter bellowed down the hall,
"You get no bread with one fish ball!"
The wretched man then went outside,
A-looking for a place to hide.
There is a moral to this all:
Don't ask for bread with one fish ball.
Oom, Plucky, Plucky
She sat on a hillside and strummed her guitar, strummed her guitar, strummed
her guitar.
She sat on a hillside and strummed her guitar, strummed her gui-ta-a-a-ar.
Chorus
Oom, plucky, plucky, oom, plucky, plucky, oom, pluck, pluck, pluck, ZING!
Oom, plucky, plucky, oom, plucky, plucky, oom, pluck, pluck, pluck, ZING!
He sat down beside her and smoked his cigar.
He said that he loved her but, oh! How he lied.
They were to be married but somehow she died.
He went to her funeral but just for the ride.
He went to her grave site and laughed 'til he cried.
The grave stone fell over and squish-squash he died.
She went up to heaven and flittered and flied.
He went down below and sizzled and fried.
The moral of this song is: never tell lies.
Quartermaster's Store
There are rats, rats, as big as alley cats,
At the store, at the store.
There are rats, rats, as big as alley cats,
At the Quartermaster's store.
Chorus
My eyes are dim, I can not see.
I have not brought my specks with me. [Repeat.]
Mice . . . running through the rice.
Snakes . . . as big as garden rakes.
Beans . . . as big as submarines.
Gravy . . . enough to float the navy.
Cakes . . . that give us tummy aches.
Eggs . . . with scaly chicken legs.
Butter . . . running in the gutter.
Lard . . . they sell it by the yard.
Bread . . . with great big lumps like lead.
Cheese . . . that makes you want to sneeze.
Soot . . . they grow it by the foot.
Goats . . . eating all the oats
Bees . . . with little knobby knees.
Owls . . . shredding paper towels.
Apes . . . eating all the grapes.
Turtles . . . wearing rubber girdles.
Bear . . . with curlers in its hair.
Buffalos . . . with hair between their toes.
Foxes . . . stuffed in little boxes.
Coke . . . enough to make you choke.
Pepsi . . . that gives you apoplexy.
Roaches . . . sleeping in the coaches.
Flies . . . swarming 'round the pies.
Fishes . . . washing all the dishes.
Moths . . . eating through the cloths
Scouts . . . eating brussel sprouts.
Leaders . . . slapping at the skeeters.
Ravioli
[Tune: Alouette]
Ravioli, I like ravioli; ravioli, it's so good for me.
Leader: Do I have it in my hair?
Yes you have it in your hair.
Leader: In my hair? OHHH...
Ravioli, I like ravioli; ravioli, it's so good for me.
Continue: Chin, tie, shirt, skirt(pants), shoes, floor. Repeat the items mentioned with each verse sung.
Soap and Towel
[Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"]
Soap, soap, soap and towel; towel and water please.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, wash your dirty knees.
Scout Travelers
[Tune: Home on the Range]
Oh, give us a train or a boat or a plane,
That will carry . . . Scouts away;
To Paris or Rome, let us wander and roam,
And discover new things each day.
Relax on a trail, float over the waves all day,
Or glide through the clouds, far over the crowds,
But be home before five each day.
On a broomstick we'll ride, in a rowboat we'll glide;
In a rocket we'll go to the moon,
And our trip will be fun but soon will be done,
Air pockets could end it too soon.
Up, up, and away; let us orbit the far distant sun,
Or deep on the floor of the sea let's explore,
And as . . . Scouts we'll always have fun.
Show Me the Way to Go Home
Show me the way to go home, I'm tired and I want to go to bed.
Oh, I had a little drink about an hour ago, and it went right to my head.
Wherever I may roam, on land or sea or foam.
You will always hear me singing this song: Show me the way to go home.
Fancy word version:
Indicate the way to my habitual abode, I'm fatigued and I want to retire.
Oh, I had a little liquid sixty minutes ago, and it went right to my cerebellum.
Wherever I may perambulate, on land or sea or atmospheric bubbles.
You will always hear me humming this melody: Indicate the way to my habitual
abode.
Sipping Cider Through A Straw
The prettiest girl [Echo.], I ever saw, [Echo.]
Was sipping cider through a straw.
[Repeat previous two lines.]
I asked her if, [Echo.] she'd show me how, [Echo.]
To sip that cider through a straw.
[Repeat previous two lines.]
Then cheek to cheek, and jaw to jaw,
We sipped that cider through a straw.
Every now and then, the straw would slip,
I'd sip some cider from her lip.
The parson came to her backyard,
A sipping cider from a straw.
And now I have a mother-in-law,
And fourteen kids to call me Pa.
The moral of this little tale,
Is sip your cider from a pail!
Feminine variation: Substitute "The cutest boy" for "The prettiest girl," "him" for "her," "he" for "she," and "Ma" for "Pa."
Song of the States
Oh what did Dela ware, friends, Oh what did Dela ware?
I ask you again, as a personal friend, what did Dela ware?
She wore her New Jersey, friends, she wore her New Jersey.
I tell you again, as a personal friend, she wore her New
Jersey.
2. Oh, how did Flori-die, friends?
She died in Mis-sour-i, friends.
3. Oh, what did Io-way, friends?
She weighed a Washington, friends.
4. Oh, what did Ida-ho, friends?
She hoed her Mary-land, friends.
5. Oh, how did Wiscon-sin, friends?
She stole a New-bras-key, friends.
6. Oh, what did Tennessee, friends?
She saw what Arkan-sas, friends.
7. Oh, where has Ore-gon, friends?
She's taking Okla-home, friends.
8. Oh, what did Massa-chew, friends?
She chewed her Connecti-cud, friends.
9. Oh, what did Missi-sip, friends?
She sipped her Mini-soda, friends.
10.Oh, what did Ohi-owe, friends?
She owed her state Taxes, friends.
11.Oh, why did Califone, friends?
She called to say, "Hawaii," friends.
Sweet Violets
Chorus
Sweet violets, sweeter than the roses,
Covered all over from head to toe,
Covered all over with sweet violets.
There once was a farmer who took a young miss
In back of the barn where he gave her a
Lecture on horses and chickens and eggs,
And told her that she had such beautiful
Manners that suited a girl of her charms,
A girl that he wanted to take in his
Washing and ironing and then, if she did,
They could get married and raise lots of . . . (CHORUS)
The girl told the farmer that he'd better stop
And she called her father and he called a
Taxi and got there before very long,
'Cause someone was doing his little girl
Right for a change and so that's why he said,
"If you marry her, son, you're better off
Single 'cause it's always been my belief,
Marriage will bring a man nothing but . . . (CHORUS)
The farmer decided he'd wed any way,
And started in planning for his wedding
Suit, which he purchased for only one buck,
But then he found out he was just out of
Money and so he got left in the lurch,
Standing and waiting in front of the
End of this story which just goes to show,
All a girl wants from a man is his . . . (CHORUS)
Tell Me Why-silly verses
Tell me why the bugs do bite,
Tell me why the campfire won't light,
Tell me why the tent fell down,
Tell me why we slept on the ground.
Because they're hungry, the bugs do bite,
Because the wood's wet, the campfire won't light,
Because we're sloppy, the tent fell down,
Because we're crazy, we slept on the ground.
The Animal Fair
We went to the animal fair, the birds and the beasts were there,
The big baboon by the light of the moon was combing his auburn hair.
The monkey, he got drunk, and fell on the elephants trunk,
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees,
And that was the end of the monkey! (The monkey, the monkey, the . . . etc.)
The Calliope
Divide the group into four or five parts. Start the groups
off one at a time, bringing in the next as the one before gets going.
1st part sings: Um-pah-pah
2nd part sings: Um-sss-sss
3rd part sings: Um-peep-peep
4th part sings: Um-tweedle-tweedle
The rest of the group sings the melody of a suitable tune, such as "Daisy, Daisy," "East Side, West Side," "In the Good Old Summertime," or "The More We Get Together." [Found elsewhere in this song collection.]
The Cat Came Back
Old farmer Johnson had troubles of his own.
He had a yellow cat that wouldn't leave him alone.
He tried and he tried to give that cat away;
Gave him to a man going very far away.
Chorus
But the cat came back, the very next day
Oh the cat came back, they thought he was a gonner,
But the cat came back, he just couldn't stay away, away,
away.
Gave it to a man going way out west.
Told him to give it to the one he loved the best.
First the train jumped the track, then it slipped the rail.
No one is alive today to tell the sad detail.
Gave it to someone going up in a balloon.
Told him to give it to the man in the moon.
Balloon came down about 90 miles away;
But where the pilot is today I cannot say.
Gave it to a little boy with a dollar and a note.
Told him to go up the river in a little boat.
To tie a rope around its neck and a weight of 20 pounds.
Now they tell the tale of the little boy that drowned.
Man on the corner swore he'd shoot that cat on sight.
He loaded up his shotgun with nails and dynamite.
He waited and he waited for that cat to come around.
Nine-seven pieces of that man is all they found.
The bombs started dropping just the other day.
The missiles were fired in the very same way.
Russia went, China went, and the USA [Sobs].
The human race perished with hardly a chance to pray.
The Death of Cock Robin
Chorus
All the birds of the air fell a sighin' and sobbin',
When they heard of the death of poor cock robin,
When they heard of the death of poor cock robin.
1. Who killed cock robin?
"I", said the sparrow, "with my bow and arrow."
"I killed cock robin."
2. Who saw him die?
"I", said the fly, "with my little eye."
3. Who'll make his shroud?
"I", said the beetle, "with my thread and needle."
4. Who'll dig his grave ?
"I", said the owl, "with my little trowel."
5. Who'll give the memorial?
"I", said the rook, "with my little book."
6. Who'll be chief mourner?
"I", said the dove, "with my undying love."
7. Who'll bear the coffin?
"I", said the wren, "with rooster and the hen."
8. Who'll let him down?
"I", said the crane, "with my golden chain."
9. Who'll cover him over?
"I", said the crow, "with my little hoe."
10.Who'll toll the bell?
"I", said the bull, "because I can pull."
11.Who'll mark the grave?
"I", said the thrush, "with my paint and brush."
12.Who'll keep the vigil?
"I", said the lark, "so long as it's not dark."
The Ghost of Anne Bolelyn
Now in the Tower of London, large as life, (large as life)
The ghost of Anne Bolelyn walks, I declare. (I declare)
Now, Anne Bolelyn was once King Henry's wife, (Henry's wife)
Until he had the axeman bob her hair. (bob her hair)
It happened many long years ago, (long years ago)
But she still comes back at night to tell him so. (tell him so)
Chorus
With her head tucked underneath her arm, she walks the bloody tower.
With her head tucked underneath her arm, at the midnight hour.
Oh, once in a while King Henry gives a spread, (gives a spread)
For all his pals and gals, a ghostly crew. (ghostly crew)
The axeman carves the meat and cuts the bread, (cuts the bread)
And in walks Anne Bolelyn to spoil the stew (spoil the stew)
She holds her head up high with a wild wa-whoop, [bloodcurdling scream]
King Henry cries, "Don't drop it in the soup!" (in the soup)
Along the drafty corridors for miles and miles she goes,
She often catches cold, poor thing, it's drafty when it blows,
And it's awfully awkward when she has to blow her nose.
With her head tucked underneath her arm.
Suggested presentation: Make paper mache 'head' or draw a face on an ordinary
balloon. The song leader uses this to act out the words as the audience sings
along.
The Rooster
We had some hens, no eggs would they lay,
We had some hens, no eggs would they lay.
My spouse said, "Honey, this isn't funny.
We're loosing money." No eggs would they lay.
One day a rooster came into our yard,
He caught those hens right off of their guard.
They're laying eggs now, just like they use ta,
Ever since that rooster came into our yard.
They're laying eggs now, just like they use ta,
Ever since that rooster came into our yard.
We had a cow, no milk would she give, [Repeat.]
My spouse said, "Honey, this isn't funny.
We're loosing money." No milk would she give.
One that rooster came into our yard,
He caught the cow right off of her guard.
She giving eggnog, that's more than she use ta,
Ever since that rooster came into our yard.
She giving eggnog, that's more than she use ta,
Ever since that rooster came into our yard.
We had a field, no crops would it grow . . . . We're raising eggplant . . . .
We had a dog, no pups did she have . . . . She's delivering pooched eggs . . . .
Me and my wife, no kids did we have . . . . We're raising egg heads . . . .
We had a gum machine, no gum would it give . . . . We're getting chiclets . . . .
We had a garden, no flowers would it grow . . . . We're growing chickweed . . . .
We had some fish, but they wouldn't grow . . . . We're raising tuna, it's the chicken of the sea . . . .
We had a car, but it wouldn't run . . . . We have a yolkswagen . . .
We had a comedian, no laughs could he get . . . . He's telling yokes now . . . .
We had a army, no battles did we win . . . . We're getting shelled now . . . .
We had a cannon, but it wouldn't fire . . . . We have no rooster . . . .
The Scout Who Never Returned
[Tune: Charlie On The MTA]
Let me tell you of a story of a Scout named . . . ,
On that tragic and fateful day;
Put his/her Scout knife in his/her pocket;
Kissed his/her dog and family;
When to hike in the woods far away.
Well, did he/she ever return?
No, he/she never returned.
And his/her fate is still unlearned:
He/she may roam forever in the woods and mountains,
He/she's the Scout who never returned.
Now you citizens of [town name],
Don't you think it's a scandal
How ol' [Scout's name] got lost that day?
Take the right equipment; TAKE ALONG A BUDDY,
When you hike in the hills that way.
Or else you'll never return,
No, you'll never return.
And your fate will be unlearned: (just like [Scout's name])
You may roam forever in the woods and mountains,
Like the Scout who never returned.
The Thing
As I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day.
I saw a great big wooden box a-floatin' in the bay.
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise,
I discovered a -, -,-right before my eyes!
Oh, I discovered a -, -,-right before my eyes!
I picked it up and ran to town as happy as a king.
I took it to a guy I know who'd buy most anything.
But this is what he hollered at me as I walked in his shop,
"Oh, get out of here with that -, -,-before I call a cop!"
[Repeat]
I turned around and got right out a-runnin' for my life,
And then I took it home with me to give it to my wife.
But this is what she hollered at me as I walked in the door,
"Oh get out of here with that -, -, -, and don't come back no more." [Repeat]
I wandered all around the town until I chanced to meet
A hobo who was looking for a handout on the street.
He said he'd take most any old thing, he was a desperate man,
But when I showed him the -, -, -, he turned a-round and ran.
[Repeat]
I wandered on for many years, a victim of my fate,
Until one day I came upon Saint Peter at the gate.
And when I tried to take it inside he told me where to go;
"Get out of here with that -, -, -, and take it down be-low!"
[Repeat]
The moral of this story is; if you're out on the beach
And you should see a great big box, and it's within your
reach,
Don't ever stop and open it up, that's my advice to you,
'Cause you'll never get rid of the -, -,-no matter what you
do! [Repeat]
The Weekend
[Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic]
I have seen the sky in darkness, I have seen it in the sun,
I have felt the rain upon me, I've enjoyed the snowy fun.
When the weather isn't cloudy or the wind it doesn't blow.
It isn't only raining, it's the weekend too, you know.
Glory, glory, it's the weekend! [Repeat.]
I can tell because it's raining and it's 42 below,
As we Scouts go marching on.
Three Fishermen
There were three jolly fishermen. [Repeat.]
Fisher, fisher, men, men, men. [Repeat.]
There were three jolly fishermen.
The first one's name was Abraham. [Repeat.]
Abra, abra, ham, ham, ham. [Repeat.]
The first one's name was Abraham.
The second one was I-isaac. [Repeat.]
I-i, i-i, zac, zac, zac. [Repeat.]
The second one was Isaac.
The third one's name was Ja-acob. [Repeat.]
J-a, j-a, cub, cub, cub. [Repeat.]
The third one's name was Ja-acob.
They all sailed up to Jericho. [Repeat.]
Jeri, jeri, co, co, co. [Repeat.]
They all sailed up to Jericho.
They should have gone to Amsterdam. [Repeat.]
Amster, amster, shh, shh, shh. [Repeat.]
They should have gone to Amsterdam.
You must not say that naughty word. [Repeat.]
Naughty, naughty, word, word, word. [Repeat.]
You must not say that naughty word.
I'm going to say it anyway...
Tom the Toad (and friends)
[Tune: O, Tannenbaum]
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why are you lying in the road? [Repeat]
You did not see the truck ahead, and now your looking oh so dead.
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, so sad you're lying in the road?
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why did you jump out in the road? [Repeat]
You were so big and green and fat, but now you're small and red and flat.
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why did you jump out in the road?
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why did you jump out in the road? [Repeat]
You were alive but now you're dead, your face looks like a tire tread.
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why did you jump out in the road?
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, why are you lying in the road? [Repeat]
You used to hop and jump about, and now your guts are spilling out.
Oh, Tom the toad, oh Tom the toad, so sad you're lying in the road?
Oh, Jake the snake, oh Jake the snake, why are you belly-up in the lake?
[Repeat]
You did not see that motor boat, propeller got you by the throat.
Oh, Jake the snake, oh Jake the snake, so sad you swam out in the lake?
Oh, Mat the cat, oh Mat the cat, why is your tail so crooked like that?
[Repeat]
You caught it in the vacuum machine [Eyoww!], and now your acting awfully mean.
Oh, Mat the cat, oh Mat the cat, that's why your tail is crooked like that.
Tongo
Tongo [repeat], Jim nee bye bye oh [repeat],
Tongo [repeat], Om ba de kim bye oh [repeat],
Ooh-a-lay [repeat], Mah-le-ka-ah lo way [repeat].
Twelve Days of [Summer] Camp
On the first day of [summer] camp my family sent to me,
A PFD in a pine tree.
2. skinned knees
3. Bic pens
4. flashlights
5. bathing suits
6. bars of candy
7. missing dollars
8. counselors sleeping
9. pairs of skivvies
10.noisy chipmunks
11.lost swimmers
12.soggy towels
Hint: Consider this a sample; tailor individual verses to suit your own
situation.
Underwear
[Tune: "Over There"]
Underwear, underwear, send a pair, send a pair, I can wear.
For I left mine lying, on a line a drying,
And now I need them they're not there.
Underwear, underwear, get a pair, get a pair, anywhere.
The bugle's blowing, I must be going,
For I've got to get there if I have to go there bare.
Worms
Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
I'll go out and dig some worms;
Long thin skinny ones;
Big fat juicy ones,
See how they wriggle and squirm.
Bite their heads off,
Suck their juice out,
Throw their skins away,
Nobody knows how much I thrive
On worms three times a day.
Long thin skinny ones slip down easily,
Big fat juicy ones stick;
Hold your head back,
Squeeze their tail,
And their juice just goes drip, drip.
Barges
Out of my window looking in the night,
I can see the barges flickering light.
Silently flows the river to the sea,
As the barges do go silently.
Chorus
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasure in your hold,
Do you fight with pirates brave and bold.
Out of my window looking in the night,
I can see the barges flickering light.
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red,
I can see the barges far ahead.
How my heart longs to sail away with you,
As you sail across the ocean blue.
But I must stay beside my ocean clear,
As I watch you sail away from here.
Away from my window on into the night,
I will watch til they are out of sight.
Taking their cargo far across the sea,
I wish that someday they'd take me.
Blow, Ye Winds
Oh, a ship was all rigg'd and ready for sea,
And all of her sailors were fishes to be.
Chorus
So, blow ye winds westerly, westerly blow.
We're bound for the south'ard, so steady she goes.
Oh, first came the herring, the kind of the sea,
He jumped on the poop, "I'll be captain," said he.
The next was a flat fish, they call him the skate:
"If you be the captain, why, sure, I'm the mate."
The next came the hake, as black as a rook.
Says he, "I'm no sailor, I'll ship as the cook."
The next came the shark, with his two rows of teeth:
"Cook mind the cabbage, and I'll mind the beef."
And then came the codfish, with his chuckle head,
He jumped in the chains, began heaving the lead.
The next came the flounder, as flat as the ground:
"Damn your eyes, chuckhead, mind how you sound."
The next comes the mack'rel with his striped back,
He jumped to the waist for to board the main tack.
And then came the sprat, the smallest of all,
He jumped on the poop, and cried, "Main topsail haul!"
Greenland Fisheries
'Twas in eighteen hundred and fifty three,
On June the thirteenth day,
That our gallant ship her anchor weighed,
And for Greenland bore away, brave boys,
And for Greenland bore away.
The lookout in the crosstrees stood
With a spyglass in his hand.
"There's a whale, there's a whale, there's a whalefish" he
cried
And she blows at every span, brave boys.
And she blows at every span.
The captain stood on the quarter-deck,
And a fine little man was he.
"Overhaul! Overhaul! let your davit-tackles fall,
And launch your boats for the sea, brave boys,
And launch your boats for the sea."
Now the boats were launched and the men aboard,
And the whale was full in view.
Resolved was each seaman bold,
To steer where the whalefish blew, brave boys,
To steer where the whalefish blew.
We struck the whale, and the line paid out,
But she gave such a flourish with her tail,
That the boat capsized and four men were lost,
And we never caught that whale, brave boys,
And we never caught that whale.
"To lose that whale" our captain said
"It grieves my heart full sore,
But to lose four of our gallant sailor boys,
It grieves me ten times more, brave boys,
It grieves me ten times more."
"The winter star doth now appear,
So, boys, we'll anchor weigh.
It's time to leave this cold country,
And homeward bear away, brave boys,
And homeward bear away."
Oh, Greenland is a dreadful place,
A land that's never green.
Where there's ice and snow, and the whalefishes blow,
And the daylight's seldom seen, brave boys,
And the daylight's seldom seen.
It was Friday Night When We Set Sail (The Mermaid)
It was Friday night when we set sail,
And we were not far from the land.
When the captain spied a lovely mermaid
With a comb and a brush in her hand, her hand, her hand,
With a comb and a brush in her hand.
Chorus
Oh! the ocean waves may roll, may roll,
And the stormy winds may blow, may blow-o,
But we poor sailors go skipping to the tops
While the land-lubbers lie down below, below, below,
While the land-lubbers lie down below.
Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship,
And a fine old man was he,
Saying, "This fishy mermaid has warned us of our doom;
We shall sink to the bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea,
We shall sink to the bottom of the sea!"
Then up spoke the mate of our gallant ship,
And a well spoken man was he;
"I've married a wife in Salem Town,
And tonight she a widow will be, will be, will be,
And tonight she a widow will be."
Then up spoke the cook of our gallant ship.
And a RED HOT cook was he;
"I care much more for my kettles and my pots
Than I do for the bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea,
Than I do for the bottom of the sea.
Then up spoke the cabin boy of our gallant ship.
And a scurvy little rascal was he;
"I've nary a soul in Salem Town
Who will care what happened to me, to me, to me,
Who will care what happened to me.
SLOWLY
Then three times round, went our gallant ship
Then three times round went she;
Then three times round, went our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea,
And she sank to the bottom of the sea.
Sloop John B.
We came on the sloop John B., my grandfather and me,
Round Nassau town we did roam,
Drinking all night, got into a fight,
Well, I feel so break-up, I want to go home.
Chorus
So, hoist up the John B.'s sails, see how the main sails set,
Send for the Captain ashore, let me go home;
Let me go home, I want to go home,
I feel so break-up, I want to go home.
Well, the first mate, he got drunk,
Broke up the people's trunk,
Constable has to come and take him away,
Sheriff John Stone, please leave me alone.
I feel so break-up, I want to go home.
The poor cook he got fits, throw'd away all my grits,
Then he went and ate up all of my corn,
Oh, let me go home, I want to go home,
This is the worst trip I've ever been on.
The Ship Titanic
Oh, they built the ship Titanic to sail the ocean blue,
And they thought they had a ship that the water would never leak through,
But the Lord's almighty hand knew that ship would never stand.
It was sad when the great ship went down.
Chorus
Oh, it was sad, it was sad; it was sad, it was sad;
It was sad when the great ship went down, to the bottom of the
Husbands and wives, little-bitty children lost their lives,
It was sad when that great ship went down.
Oh, they sailed away from England, and were almost to the shore,
When the rich refused to associate with the poor,
So they put them down below, where they were the first to go.
It was sad when the great ship went down.
The boat was full of din, and the sides about to burst,
When the captain shouted "Women and children first!"
Then the captain tried to wire, but the wireless was on fire.
It was sad when the great ship went down.
So they swung the lifeboats out o're the deep and raging sea
The band struck up with 'Nearer My God to Thee',
Little children wept and cried, as the waves swept, o're the side,
It was sad when the great ship went down.
Oh the moral to be gained from this tale of woe and pain,
Is that if you're rich you should not be so vain.
For in the good Lord's eyes, you're the same as other guys.
It was sad when the great ship went down.
Oh they built another ship they called, "Titanic II."
They were sure this time that the water would never leak thorough.
So they launched it with a cheer, and it sank right off the pier.
It was sad when the great ship went down.
All Through the Night
Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night;
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night.
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
I my loving vigil keeping,
All through the night.
While the moon her watch is keeping,
All through the night;
While the weary world is sleeping,
All through the night.
O'er thy spirit gently stealing,
Visions of delight revealing,
Breathes a pure and holy feeling,
All through the night.
Though I roam a minstrel lonely,
All through the night;
My true harp shall praise thee only,
All through the night.
Love's young dream, alas! is over,
Yet my strains of love shall hover,
Near the presence of my lover,
All through the night.
Hark! A solemn bell is ringing,
Clear through the night;
Thou, my love, art heav'nward winging,
Home through the night.
Earthly dust from off the shaken,
Soul immortal shalt not waken,
With thy last dim journey taken,
Home through the night.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's Praise, than when we first begun.
Amazing grace has set me free,
To touch, to taste, to feel;
The wonders of accepting love,
Have made me whole and real.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword,
His truth is marching on.
Chorus
Glory, glory hallelujah! [Repeat twice more.]
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an alter in the evening dews and damps;
I can read his righteous message by their dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
Come, Come, Ye Saints
Come, come ye Saints, no toil or labor fear; but with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear, grace shall be as your day.
'Tis better far for us to strive, our useless cares from us drive;
Do this and joy your hearts will swell. All is well! All is well!
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell: All is well! All is well!
Do Lord
Chorus
Do Lord, Oh do Lord, Oh do remember me, Oh Lord
[Repeat twice more.]
Look away beyond the blue.
I've got a home in glory land that outshines the sun
[Repeat twice more.]
Look away beyond the blue.
Friends
Chorus
So I thank You, I thank you God for all of my friends.
I thank You, I thank You God for all of my friends with me tonight.
When you're all alone and you're feeling so low,
There is a friend there to tell the things you know.
A friend will always listen, a friend will understand.
What is a friend? A friend is here indeed.
Sitting all around me, listening to my need.
A friend is always there, a friend will always care.
There's one important thing that I want you to know,
And I mean it sincerely from the bottom of my soul.
I love all of you, you're the greatest friends I've got
He's Got the Whole World
He's got the whole world in his hands; [Repeat three more times.]
He's got the wind and the rain in his hands; [Repeat two more times.]
He's got the whole world in his hands.
3. He's got the sun and the moon . . .
4. He's got the little bitty baby . . .
5. He's got you and me brother . . .
6. He's got everybody here . . .
Hymn of Scouting
[Tune: The Church's One Foundation]
Oh Father we would bring Thee a Scoutship strong and true,
A life of loving service and struggle well won through,
A Scoutship that our Founder would surely love to see,
Of utter self-surrender and spotless purity.
Oh knit us all together as loyal friends of all,
And make us every ready to help up those who fall,
As Scouts we must be trusted to others to do good,
God bless and keep and strengthen the Scouting brother[/sister]hood.
So as we stand before Thee we give our promise true,
That we will on our honor love God and country too.
We'll help all others daily in all we say and do,
And live the laws of Scouting as Thou woulds't have us do.
And so Thee our Captain, as loyal Scouts we come,
And ask that Thou will leads us 'til Scouting days are done.
We face tomorrow's struggles strong in Thy strength alone:
Look down and bless our Scoutship, for we would be Thine own.
Michael Row the Boat
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alleluia
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alleluia.
Sister, help to trim the sail,
Sister, help to trim the sail,
Brother, lend a helping hand,
Brother, lend a helping hand,
Jordan's river is chilly and cold,
Chills the body but not the soul,
Jordan's river is deep and wide,
Milk and honey on the other side.
Gabriel blow the trumpet horn
Blow the trumpet loud and long.
Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing fresh from the word.
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dew fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
Born of the one light Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's re-creation of the new day.
Cool the gray clouds roll, peaking the mountains,
Gull in her free flight, swooping the skies.
Praise for the mystery, misting the morning,
Behind the shadow, waiting to shine.
I am the sunrise, warming the heavens,
Spilling my warm glow over the earth.
Praise for the brightness of this new morning,
Filling my spirit with Your great love.
Mine is a turning, mine is a new life,
Mine is a journey closer to You.
Praise for the sweet glimpse, caught in a moment,
Joy breathing deeply, dancing in flight.
My Father's House
Oh, won't you come with me, to my Father's house.
To my Father's house, to my Father's house.
Oh, won't you come with me, to my Father's house,
There is peace, peace, peace.
There's sweet communion there, in my Father's house. . . .
There'll be no parting there, . . .
Now the Day is Over
Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening steal across the sky.
Now the darkness gathers, stars begin to peep,
Birds and beasts and flowers soon will be asleep.
Grant to all the weary, calm and sweet repose,
With the kindest blessing, may our eyelids close.
Grant to those who suffer rest and balm in thee,
Guard the sailors tossing on the deep blue sea.
When the morning wakens, then may I arise,
Pure and fresh and hopeful, sunrise in my eyes.
Simple Gifts
'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free,
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
We will live in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained.
To bow and to bend we shall not be ashamed.
To turn and to turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning and turning we come round right.
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
Its streets, its streams, as well as stars above,
Salvation is here where we laugh, where we cry,
Where we seek and love, where we live and die.
When true liberty is found
By fear and by hate we will no more be bound,
In love and in life we will find a new birth,
In peace and in freedom redeem the earth.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Chorus
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home;
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home.
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see,
Comin' for to carry me home;
A band of angels coming after me,
Comin' for to carry me home.
If you get to heaven before I do,
Comin' for to carry me home;
Just tell all my friends that I'm a coming too,
Comin' for to carry me home.
I'm sometimes up and sometimes down,
Comin' for to carry me home;
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Comin' for to carry me home.
I've never been to heaven, but I've been told,
Comin' for to carry me home;
That the streets in heaven are paved with gold,
Comin' for to carry me home.
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder; we are climbing Jacob's ladder;
We are climbing Jacob's ladder; won't you climb with me.
Every rung goes higher, higher; every rung goes higher, higher;
Every rung goes higher, higher; won't you climb with me.
If you love God, why not serve him; if you love God, why not serve him;
If you love God, why not serve him; won't you climb with me.
Rise, shine, give God glory . . .
Variation:
We are climbing Scouting's ladder . . .
Bless This House
[Tune: Eidelweiss]
Bless this house, bless this bread,
Come oh Lord and sit with us.
May our hearts grow with peace.
Come with your love and surround us.
Friendship and love may they bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Bless our friends, bless us all,
Bless all [ . . . ] Scouts forever.
God Is Great, God Is Good
[Tune: Michael Row the Boat])
God is great, God is good, Alleluia
Let us thank him for our food, Alleluia.
By His hand we all are fed, Alleluia
Thank you Lord, for daily bread, Alleluia.
Health and Strength
For health and strength and daily bread
We praise thy name, Oh Lord.
Johnny Appleseed
The Lord is good to me
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun and rain and the appleseed.
The Lord is good to me.
And every seed that grows
Will grow into a tree,
And one day soon there'll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
The Lord is good to me.
Oh, here I am 'neath the blue, blue sky
Doing as I please.
Singing with my feathered friends
Humming with the bees.
I wake up every day,
As happy as can be,
Because I know that with His care
My apple trees, they will still be there.
The Lord's been good to me.
Peace Is
Peace is the bread we break;
Love is a river rolling.
Life is the chance we take
When we make this world our home.
Gonna make this world our home.
Thank You For The Food We Eat
[Tune: Michael Row The Boat Ashore]
Thank you for the food we eat, Hallelujah.
Thank you for the friends we meet, Hallelujah.
Thank you for the birds that sing, Hallelujah.
Thank you Lord for everything, Hallelujah.
Wayfarer's Grace
For all the glory of the way,
For Thy protection, night and day,
For roof, tree, fire, and bed and board,
For friends and home, we thank Thee, Lord.
Dese Bones gonna Rise Again
The Lord he though he'd make a man,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Took a little bit of water and a little bit of sand,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Chorus
I know it, brother, [Repeat twice more.]
Dese bones gonna rise again!
He thought he'd make a woman too,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Didn't know 'xactly what to do.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Took a rib from Adam's side,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Made Miss Eve for to be his bride.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Put 'em in a garden rich and fair,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Told 'em they could eat whatever was there.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
But to one tree they must not go,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Must leave the apples there to grow.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Serpent, he came 'round the trunk,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
At miss Eve, his eye he wunk.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
He said, "Those apples taste mighty fine.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Just take one, the Lord won't mind."
Dese bones gonna rise again.
De Lord, he came a-wanderin round,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Spied dem peelings on de ground.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
You ate my apples, I believe?
Dese bones gonna rise again.
'T wasn't me Lord, I spect twas Eve.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
The Lord he rose up in his wrath,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Told 'em to beat it down the path.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
He put a angel at the door,
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Told them not to come no more.
Dese bones gonna rise again.
Green Grow the Rushes
I'll sing you one-ho, green grow the rushes-ho.
What is your one-ho?
One is one, and all alone, and ever more shall be it so!
I'll sing you two-ho, green grow the rushes-ho.
What is your two-ho?
Two, two, lily white boys, cloth-ed all in green-ho
One is one, and all alone, and ever more shall be it so!
[Continue: adding each verse and repeating backwards to, "One is one, and all alone, and ever more shall be it so!"]
Three, three, the rivals;
Four for the Gospel makers;
Five for the symbols at your door;
Six for the six proud walkers;
Seven for the seven stars in the sky;
Eight for the April rainers;
Nine for the nine bright shiners;
Ten for the ten commandments;
Eleven for the eleven who went to heaven;
Twelve for the twelve apostles.
Rise and Shine
Chorus
So, rise and shine, and give out your glory, glory;
Rise and shine, and give out your glory, glory;
Rise and shine, and [slap or clap] give out your glory, glory;
Children of the Lord.
The Lord said to Noah,"There's gonna be a floody, floody;"
[repeat again.]
Get those children [slap or clap] out of the muddy, muddy:
Children of the Lord.
So, Noah he build him, he built him an arky, arky; [repeat again.]
Thatched it up with [slap or clap] hickory barky, barky;
Children of the Lord.
The animals they came in two by twosy, twosy; [repeat again.]
Elephants and [slap or clap] kangaroosy, roosy, roosy;
Children of the Lord.
The animals they came in three by threesy, threesy; [repeat again.]
Bugs and bears and [slap or clap] bumblebeesy, beesy;
Children of the Lord.
The animals they came in four by foursy, foursy; [repeat again.]
Noah called out [slap or clap] "Close the doorsy, doorsy";
Children of the Lord.
It rained, it rained, it rained forty daysy, daysy; [repeat again.]
Drove those animals [slap or clap] nearly crazy, crazy;
Children of the Lord.
The Sun came out and dried up the landy, landy; [repeat again.]
Everything was [slap or clap] fine and dandy, dandy;
Children of the lord.
Rock-A-My-Soul
Rock-a-my-soul in the bosum of Abraham, [repeat twice].
Oh, rock-a-my-soul. (Oh, Lordy.)
Too high, you can't get over it,
Too low, you can't get under it,
Too wide, you can't get around it,
Got to go in through the door.
Sunday School
Chorus
Young folks, old folks, everybody come,
Join our happy Sunday School, and have a lot of fun,
Please check your chewing gum and raisins at the door,
And you'll hear some Bible stories that you've never heard before.
Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednigo
Wouldn't obey the king, so they had to go.
Put 'em in a furnace to burn 'em up like chaff,
But their asbestos B.V.D.s gave the king a laugh.
The world was made in six days and finished on the seventh,
According to the contract it should have been the eleventh;
But the union called a strike and workers wouldn't work.
So the only thing that they could do was fill it up with dirt.
Adam was the first man that ever was invented,
He lived all his life and never was contented;
He was made of clay in the days gone by,
And hung on a fence in the sun to dry.
Adam was a gardener and Eve was his spouse,
They got the sack for stealing fruit and took to keeping house.
They lived a very quiet life and peaceful in the main,
'Til Eve had a baby and they started raising Cain.
Noah was a mariner who sailed around the sea
With half a dozen relatives and a big menagerie.
He failed the first season when it rained for forty days,
For in that kind of weather no circus ever pays.
Joseph was a shepherd, too, he kept his father's goats,
His father used to dress him in the very loudest coats.
His brothers they got jealous and threw him in a well,
Joseph went to heaven and others went to hell.
Josua played the trumpet, so runs the ancient rhyme.
He taught the Israelites to play in syncopated time,
But when they played in Jericho, their music raised a frown,
So he set the boys a'swinging, and the walls come tumbling down.
Pharaoh had a daughter, she had a winsome smile,
She found the infant Moses a-floating in the Nile.
She took him to her father, said "I've found him on the shore."
Pharaoh winked his eye and said "I've heard that tale before."
Jonah was an landsman, so runs the Bible tale;
He took a steerage passage on a transatlantic whale;
Jonah in the belly of the whale felt quite compressed,
So he pushed a little button and the whale did the rest.
Samson was a husky guy as everyone should know,
He used to lift five-hundred pounds as strongman on the show,
One week the bill was rotten and the actors had a souse,
But the strongman act of Samson's, still brought down the house.
David was a shepherd boy, a plucky little cuss;
Along came Goliath a-looking for a fuss;
David took a slinky and socked him on the crust,
Goliath reeled a couple a times and then he bit the dust.
God made Satan, Satan made sin,
God made a hot place to keep Satan in,
Satan didn't like it so he said he wouldn't stay,
He's been acting like the devil ever since that day.
Daniel was a prophet, he wouldn't obey the king,
The king said to Daniel, "This is a naughty thing."
Put him in a lion's den with lions down beneath,
But Daniel was an artist so he drew the lions' teeth.
Salomi was a dancer and she danced before the king,
She wiggled and she waggled and she shook most everything.
The king tells Salomi, "We'll have no scandal here!"
"The hell we won't!" Salomi said, and she kicked the chandelier.
There's One Wide River to Cross
Old Noah he build himself an Ark;
There's one wide river to cross.
He thatched it up with hickory bark,
There's one wide river to cross.
Chorus
There's one wide river, and that's the river of Jordan;
There's one wide river, one wide river to cross.
He built long, and wide and tall,
There's one wide river to cross;
Plenty of room for the large and small,
There's one wide river to cross.
He anchored the ark to a great big rock,
There's one wide river to cross;
And then he began to load his stock,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in one by one,
There's one wide river to cross;
The elephant munching a caraway bun,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in two by two,
There's one wide river to cross;
The monkey and the kangaroo,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in three by three,
There's one wide river to cross;
The lion and the chimpanzee,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in four by four,
There's one wide river to cross;
Old Noah got mad and hollered for more,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in five by five,
There's one wide river to cross;
With wardrobe trunks they did arrive,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in six by six,
There's one wide river to cross;
The leopard laughed at the monkey's tricks,
There's one wide river to cross.
The animals came in seven by seven,
There's one wide river to cross;
Now you may think there's at least eleven
BUT THERE AIN'T!
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, in days of auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
And here's a hand, my trusty friend, and give's a hand of thine;
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
Aunt Rhody
Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody, the old gray goose is dead.
- The one she's been saving, [Repeat twice more.]
To make a feather bed.
- She died in the mill pond, [Repeat twice more.]
From standing on her head.
- The goslings are mourning, [Repeat twice more.]
Because their mother's dead.
- The old gander's weeping, [Repeat twice more.]
Because his mate is dead.
Bells of St. Mary's
The bells of St. Mary's, ah hear they are calling,
The young loves, the true loves, who come from the sea.
And so my beloved, when red leaves are falling,
The love bells shall ring out, ring out, for you and me.
Clementine
In a cavern, in a canyon, excavating for a mine,
Lived a miner, forty-niner, and his daughter Clementine.
Chorus
Oh my darling, Oh my darling, Oh my darling Clementine,
You are lost and gone forever, dreadful sorry, Clementine.
Light she was, and like a fairy, and her shoes were number nine,
Herring boxes without topses, sandals were for Clementine.
Drove she ducklings to the water every morning just at nine,
Hit her foot against a splinter, fell into the foaming brine.
Ruby lips above the water, blowing bubbles soft and fine,
Alas for me! I was no swimmer, so I lost my Clementine.
In a churchyard near the canyon, where the myrtle doth entwine,
There grow roses and other posies, fertilized by Clementine.
Then the miner, forty-niner, soon began to peak and pine,
Thought he oughter join his daughter, now he's with his Clementine.
In my dreams she still doth haunt me, robed in garments soaked in brine,
While in life I used to hug her, now she's dead I draw the line.
How I missed her, how I missed her, how I missed my Clementine,
Until I kissed her little sister, and forgot my Clementine.
Now ye Scouts all heed the warning to this tragic tale of mine,
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation would have saved my Clementine.
Dixie
I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixieland.
In Dixieland where I was born in,
Early on one frosty morning';
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixieland.
Chorus
Then I wish I was in Dixie, hooray! Hooray!
In Dixieland I'll take my stand to live and die in Dixie;
Away, away, away down south in Dixie. [Repeat.]
There's buckwheat cakes and Indian batter
Makes you fat, but that don't matter;
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixieland.
Then hoe it down and scratch your grabble,
To Dixieland I'm bound to travel,
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixieland.
Down in the Valley
Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow.
Hear the winds blow, dear, hear the winds blow.
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow.
Down in the valley, walking between,
Telling our story, here's what it means.
Here's what it means, dear, here's what it means,
Telling our story, here's what it means.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in heaven know I love you;
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in heaven know I love you.
Build me a castle forty feet high,
So I can see him as he rides by;
As he rides by, dear, as he rides by,
So I can see him as he rides by.
Writing this letter, containing three lines,
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
"Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine,"
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
If you don't love me, love whom you please,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease.
Give my heart ease, dear, give my heart ease,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease.
Throw your arms round me, before it's too late;
Throw your arms round me, feel my heart break.
Feel my heart break, dear, feel my heart break.
Throw your arms round me, feel my heart break.
East Side, West Side
East side, west side, all around the town,
The tots sang, "Ring around rosie," "London Bridge is falling down."
Boys and girls together, me and Mamie O'Rouke,
Tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York.
Edelweiss
Edelweiss, Edelweiss. Every morning you greet me.
Small and white, clean and bright,
You look happy to greet me.
Blossoms of snow, may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever,
Edelweiss, Edelweiss. Bless my homeland forever!
Five-hundred Miles
If you miss the train I'm on you will know that I am gone,
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.
A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles,
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.
Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name,
Lord, I can't go back home this way.
This-a way, this-a way, this-a way, this-a way, this-a way,
Lord I can't go back home this-a way.
Lord, I'm one, Lord, I'm two, Lord, I'm three, Lord, I'm four,
Lord, I'm five-hundred miles away from home.
Away from home, away from home, away from home, away from home,
Lord, I'm five-hundred miles away from home.
[Repeat first verse.]
Good Night Irene
Chorus
Irene, good night, Irene; Irene, good night;
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene,
I'll see you in my dreams.
Sometimes I live in the country,
Sometimes I live in town,
Sometimes I take a great notion,
To roam this world around.
Stop rambling, stop your gambling,
Stop staying out late at night;
Go home to your friends and family,
And stay by the fireside bright.
Grandfather's Clock
My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor.
It was taller by half than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopped, short, never to go again
When the old man died.
Chorus
Ninety years without slumbering, tick, tock, tick, tock,
His life seconds numbering, tick, tock, tick, tock,
It stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.
In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent as a boy;
And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door
With a blooming and beautiful bride.
But it stopped, short, never to go again
When the old man died.
My grandfather said that of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time, and had but one desire:
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place, not a frown upon its face,
And its hands never hung by its side.
But it stopped, short, never to go again
When the old man died.
It rang in alarm in the dead of the night,
An alarm that for years had been dumb.
And we knew that his spirit was plumbing its flight,
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side
But it stopped, short, never to go again
When the old man died.
Heart of My Heart
Heart of my heart, how I love that melody,
Heart of my heart, brings back a memory,
When we were kids on the corner of the street,
We were rough and ready guys, but oh! How we could harmonize,
Heart of my heart, meant friends were dearer then,
Too bad we had to part,
I know a tear would glisten if once more I could listen,
To that gang that sang, Heart of my heart.
Home on the Range
Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Chorus
Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Where the air is so pure, and the zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange my home on the range,
For all of the cities so bright.
The Red man was pressed from this part of the west,
He's likely no more to return,
To the banks of the Red River where seldom if ever
Their flickering campfires burn.
How often at night when the heavens are bright,
With the light from the glittering stars,
Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed,
If their glory exceeds that of ours.
Oh, I love these wild flowers in this dear land of ours,
The curlew I love to hear cry,
And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks,
That graze on the mountain slopes high.
Oh give me a land where the bright diamond sand,
Flows leisurely down in the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along,
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.
Then I would not exchange my home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight
Late last night when we were all in bed,
Mrs. O'Leary left her lantern in the shed.
Well, the cow kicked it over, and this is what they said:
"There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"
When you hear those bells go ding-a-ling,
All join 'round and sweetly you must sing.
And when the verse is through, in the chorus all join in:
"There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"
For dramatic effect, shout out "FIRE, FIRE, FIRE" at the end of the first verse.
Silly variant:
Ten nights dark when bed we all were in,
Old Leary lady hung the shed her lantern in,
And when the kick cowed it over, she eyed her wink and said
"There'll be town hot in the time old tonight!"
I love the Mountains
I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills,
I love the flowers, I love the daffodils,
I love the campfire, when all the lights are low;
Boom-de-ada, boom-de-ada, boom-de-ada, boom-de-ada . . .
In the Evening by the Moonlight
In the evening, by the moonlight, you could hear those campers singing,
In the evening, by the moonlight, you could hear those echoes singing.
How the campers would enjoy it! They would sit all night and listen;
As we sang in the evening, by the moonlight (Rawdy-do-dah!)
Second time through: Group responds to each "ing" word and "moonlight" with "rawdy-do-dah" (except for "evening" in the last line).
In the Good Old Summertime
In the good old summer time, in the good old summer time,
Strolling through the shady lanes with your baby mine;
You hold her hand and she holds yours, and that's a very good sign,
That she's your tootsey wootsey in the good old summertime.
I've Got Sixpence
I've got sixpence, jolly, jolly sixpence,
I've got sixpence, to last me all my life.
I've got twopence to spend, and twopence to lend,
And twopence to send home to my wife. Poor wife!
Chorus
No cares have I to grieve me, no pretty little girls to deceive me.
I'm as happy as a lark, believe me. As we go rolling, rolling home.
Rolling home, rolling home. [Repeat]
Rolling home to my home by the sea, boom, boom, boom.
Happy as the day when our leaders get their pay.
As we go rolling, rolling home.
I've got fourpence, jolly, jolly fourpence,
I've got fourpence, to last me all my life.
I've got twopence to spend, and twopence to lend,
And no pence to send home to my wife. Poor wife!
I've got twopence, jolly, jolly twopence,
I've got twopence, to last me all my life.
I've got twopence to spend, and no pence to lend,
And no pence to send home to my wife. Poor wife!
I've got no pence, jolly, jolly no pence, . . .
K-K-K-Katy
K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore.
When the m-m-moon shines over the cow-shed,
I'll be waiting at your k-k-k-kitchen door.
Land of the Silver Birch
Land of the silver birch, home of the beaver,
Where still the mighty moose wanders at will.
Chorus
Blue lake and rocky shore, I will return once more.
Boom de de boom boom, boom de de boom boom.
Boom de de boom boom, boom-m-m-m-m.
Down in the forest, deep in the lowlands,
My heart cries out for thee, hills of the north.
Swift as a silver fish, canoe of birch bark,
Thy mighty waterways carry me forth.
High on a rocky ledge I'll build my wigwam,
Close by the water's edge, silent and still.
Make New Friends
Make new friend but keep the old,
One is silver but the other gold.
A circle is round, it has no end.
That's how long I want to be your friend.
I have a hand, and you have another.
Put them together and we have each other.
My Dream Came True
[Tune: I've Been Working on the Railroad]
I was dreaming of a campfire, burning clear and bright.
Sparkling stars were all above me, upon a summer's night.
I was dreaming that my best friends all were dreaming too.
When I woke and looked around me, I saw my dream came true.
Morningtown Ride
Train whistle blowing, makes a sleepy noise,
Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys,
Heading from the station, out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
[Child's name]'s at the engine, [Another child's name] rings the bell,
[Other child's name] swings the lantern to show that all is well.
Rocking, rolling riding, out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.
Maybe it is raining where our train will ride,
But all the little travelers are snug and warm inside.
Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day,
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles away.
Oh! Susanna
I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee,
I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see.
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death, Susanna, don't you cry.
Chorus
Oh! Susanna, Oh don't you cry for me,
For I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.
I had a dream the other night, when everything was still;
I thought I saw Susanna dear, a coming down the hill.
A buckwheat cake was in her mouth, a tear was in her eye,
Says I, I'm coming from the south, Susanna, don't you cry.
I soon will be in New Orleans, and then I'll look around,
And when I find Susanna, I'll fall upon the ground.
But if I do not find her, then I will surely die,
And when I'm dead and buried, Oh, Susanna, don't you cry.
Oh You Can't Get to Heaven
Oh the Deacon went down, to the cellar to pray.
But he fell asleep, and stayed all day.
[Repeat.]
I Ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more.
Chorus
I Ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more.
I Ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more.
I Ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more.
Oh you can't get to heaven, in a rocking chair.
'Cause the Lord don't allow, no lazybones there. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven, in a [name of person]'s car.
'Cause the gosh darn thing, won't go that far. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven, in a [name of person]'s boat.
'Cause the gosh darn thing, won't even float. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven, on water skis.
'Cause the Lord don't allow, no hairy knees. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven, on roller skates.
'Cause you'll roll right by those pearly gates. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven in a limousine,
'Cause the Lord don't sell no gasoline. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven on a motor bike,
'Cause you'll get halfway, then you'll have to hike. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven in a supersonic jet,
'Cause the Lord ain't got no runways yet. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven with powder and paint,
'Cause it makes you look like what you ain't. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven in a strapless gown,
'Cause the gosh darn thing might fall right down. etc.
Oh you can't get to heaven in [name of person]'s pants,
'Cause [name of person]'s pants are full of ants. etc.
Oh you can't chew terbaccy on the golden shore,
'Cause the Lord don't have no cuspidor. etc.
Oh I want to go to heaven, and I want to do it right,
So I'll go up to heaven all dressed in white. etc.
Oh one fine day, and it won't be long,
You'll look for me, and I'll be gone. etc.
Oh if you get to heaven, before I do.
Just bore a hole, and pull me through. etc.
Well if I get to heaven, before you do.
I'll plug that hole, with shavings and glue. etc.
That's all there is, there ain't no more.
Saint Peter said, as he closed the door. etc.
Oh there's one more thing I forgot to tell,
If you don't go to heaven, you'll go to hell. etc.
Old Black Joe
Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay,
Gone are my friends, from the cotton field away
Gone from the earth, to a better land I know,
I hear their gentle voices calling, "Old Black Joe."
Chorus
I'm coming, I'm coming, for my head is bending low;
I hear those gentle voices calling, "Old Black Joe."
Why do I weep when my heart should feel no pain,
Why do I sigh that my friends come not again,
Grieving for forms now departed long ago?
I hear their gentle voices calling, "Old Black Joe."
Where are the hearts once so happy and so free,
The children so dear that I held upon my knee?
Gone to the shore where my soul has long'd to go.
I hear their gentle voices calling, "Old Black Joe."
Old Folks at Home
Way down upon the Swanee River, far, far away,
That's where my heart is turning ever, there's where the old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation, sadly I roam,
Still longing for the old plantation, and for the old folks
at home.
Chorus
All the world is sad and weary, every where I roam;
Oh people, how my heart grows weary, far from the old folks at home.
All 'round the little farm I wandered, when I was young,
There many happy days I squandered, many the song I sung.
When I was playing with my brother, happy was I,
Oh, take me to my kind old mother, there let me live and die.
One little hut among the bushes, one that I love
Still sadly to my memory rushes, no matter where I rove.
When will I see the bees a-humming all 'round the comb?
When will I hear the banjo strumming, down in my good old home?
On Top of Old Smoky
On top of old Smoky, all covered with snow,
I lost my true lover from courting too slow.
Now, courting is pleasure and parting is grief,
And a false-hearted lover is worse than a thief.
For a thief will just rob you and take what you have,
But a false-hearted lover will lead you to the grave.
And the grave will decay you and turn you to dust;
Not one boy in a hundred a poor girl can trust.
They'll hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies,
Than cross ties on a railroad or stars in the skies.
So, come all you young maidens and listen to me,
Never place your affection on a green willow tree.
For the leaves they will whither, and the roots they will
die,
You'll all be forsaken and never know why.
Our Paddles Keen and Bright
Our paddles keen and bright, flashing like silver,
Swift as the wild goose flies, dip, dip, and swing.
Dip, dip, and swing them back, flashing like silver,
Swift as the wild goose flies, dip, dip, and swing.
Sing two or three times through, with voices becoming louder and then softer-as though canoes were first approaching and then moving away. [Also may be sung as a round.]
Pack Up Your Troubles
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, and smile, smile, smile;
While you've a match or two to light your fire,
Smile Scouts that's the style.
What's the use of worrying, it never was worth while; so-
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, and smile, smile, smile!
Patsy Atsy Ori Ay
18 hundred and 51, work on the railroad was begun,
Work on the railroad was begun, workin' on the railroad.
Chorus
Patsy atsy ori ay, [repeat twice]
Workin' on the railroad.
1800 & 52, looking around for something to do, . . . .
1800 & 53, railroad company hired me, . . . .
1800 & 54, back was getting mighty sore, . . . .
1800 & 55, found myself more dead than alive, . . . .
1800 & 56, dropped a couple of dynamite sticks, . . . .
1800 & 57, found myself on the way to heaven, . . . .
1800 & 58, found myself at the Pearly Gate, . . . .
1800 & 59, found myself on a cloud sublime, . . . .
1800 & fifty-ten, started in all over again, . . . .
Polly Wolly Doodle
Oh, I went down South for to see my Sal,
Sing Polly-Wolly-Doodle all day,
My Sally am a spunky gal,
Sing Polly-Wolly-Doodle all day.
Chorus
Fare thee well, fare thee well, fare thee well my fairy fay,
For I'm going to Louisiana, for to see my Susyanna,
Sing Polly-Wolly-Doodle all day.
Oh, my gal, Sal, she's a maiden fair, . . .
With laughing eyes and curly hair, . . .
Oh, a grasshopper sat on a railroad track, . . .
A picking his teeth with a carpet tack, . . .
Oh, I went to bed but it weren't no use, . . .
My feet stuck out for a chicken roost, . . .
Behind the barn, down on my knees, . . .
I thought I heard that chicken sneeze, . . .
He sneezed so hard with the whooping cough, . . .
He sneezed his head and tail right off, . . .
Red River Valley
From this valley they say you are going,
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine
Which has brightened our pathways a while.
Chorus
Come and sit by my side if you love me;
Do not hasten to bid me adieu,
But remember the Red River Valley,
And the girl that has loved you so true.
I've been thinking a long time, my darling,
Of the sweet words you never would say,
Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish?
For they say you are going away.
Won't you think of the valley you're leaving,
Oh, how lonely and sad it will be,
Just think of the fond heart you're breaking,
And the grief you are causing to me.
From this valley they say you are going,
When you go, may your darling go too?
Would you leave her behind unprotected,
When she loves no one other than you.
As you go to your home by the ocean,
May you never forget those sweet hours,
That we spent in the Red River Valley,
And the love we exchanged 'mid the flowers.
I have promised you, darling, that never
Will a word from my lips cause you pain,
And my life, it will be yours forever,
If you only will love me again.
They will bury me where you have wandered,
Near the hills where the daffodils grow,
When you're gone from the Red River valley,
For I can't live without you I know.
Shine On, Harvest Moon, Medley
Shine on, shine on harvest moon, up in the sky;
I ain't had no lovin since January, February, June or July.
Snow time ain't no time to sit around and croon.
So, shine on, shine on harvest moon for me and my gal.
The bells are ringing, for me and my gal;
The birds are singing for me and my gal.
Everybody's been knowing, to a wedding they're going,
And for weeks they've been sewing, every Sue and Sal.
They're congregating for me and my gal.
The parson's waiting for me and my gal.
And someday we're going to build a little home for two,
For three or four or more
In loveland for me and my gal.
Shortnin' Bread
Three little children lyin' in bed,
Two of them sick and the other most dead.
Called for the doctor, the doctor said,
"Feed them children some shortnin' bread.
Chorus
Mammy's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin',
Mammy's little baby loves shortnin' bread. [Repeat both
lines.]
When them children lying in the bed
Heard that talk about shortnin' bread,
Thay all got up and began to shout,
Laughin' and a-singin' and a-dancin' about.
Put on the skillet, put on the lid,
Mammy's gonna make a little shortnin' bread.
Then after that, there's a treat for you,
Mammy's gonna make a little coffee too.
Side By Side
Oh we ain't got a barrel of money, maybe we're ragged and funny,
But we'll travel along, singing a song, side by side.
Don't know what's coming tomorrow, maybe it's trouble and sorrow,
But we'll travel the road, sharing our load, side by side.
Through all kinds of weather, what if the sky should fall,
Just as long as we're together, it doesn't matter at all.
When they've all had their troubles and parted,
We'll be the same as we started,
Just trav'ling along, singing our song, side by side.
Singing for Our Lives
We are gentle angry people
And we are singing, singing for our lives.
We are gentle angry people
And we are singing, singing for our lives.
We are young and old together . . .
We are a multicolored people . . .
Skip to My Lou
Lost my partner what'll I do? [Repeat twice more.]
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Chorus
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou. [Repeat twice more.]
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
2. I'll get another, a nicer one too-
3. If I lose that one, I'll take two-
4. Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo, shoo, shoo-
5. Cat's in the buttermilk, licking it too-
6. Kitten in the haymow, mew, mew, mew-
7. Bears in the rose bush, boo, boo, boo-
8. Mule's in the cellar, kicking up through-
9. Dad's old hat got torn in two-
10.Little red wagon, painted blue-
11.Had a cart and pony too-
12.Going to get a red-bird, a pretty one too-
13.If I can't get a red-bird, a blue-bird'll do-
14.Needle in the haystack, Number 32
15.Hurry up, slow poke, do, Oh, do-
Optional dance actions: Players form a circle and chose partners. Dance starts with one couple moving to the center and selecting one other person. The three hold hands and skip about the circle. On the word, "skip," the couple stops and joins hands to form an arch for the third person to step under.
The couple then rejoins the circle, the person left in the
center picks another couple to skip about. Again, on the word, "skip," the
original caller and one member of the couple called in make the arch and rejoin
the circle, leaving the other member of the couple just called in the center.
The person left in the center chooses a third couple, and so on, until the song
ends.
Sweet Betsy From Pike
Did you ever hear tell of sweet Betsy from Pike,
Who crossed the wide prairie with old Uncle Ike,
With two yoke of cattle and one spotted hog,
A tall Shanghai rooster and a large yellow dog.
Chorus
Singin' toora-li, loora-li, loora-li, ay [Repeat.]
One evening quite early they camped on the Platte,
'Twas near by the road on a green shady flat,
Where Betsy sore-footed lay down to repose,
There was no sounder sleeper than that Pike County rose.
They soon reached the desert, where Betsy gave out,
And down in the sand she lay rolling about;
But she got up again with a great deal of pain,
And declared she'd go back to Pike County again.
The Shanghai ran off and their cattle all died,
That morning the last piece of bacon was fried;
Poor Ike was discouraged and Betsy got mad,
The dog drooped his tail and looked wondrously sad.
They finally stopped on a very high hill,
And with wonder looked down upon old Placerville;
Ike sighed when he said as he looked all around
"Well, Betsy, my sweet, we might as well go down.
Old Ike and sweet Betsy attended a dance;
Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants;
Sweet Betsy was covered with ribbons and rings;
Says Ike, "You're an angel, but where are your wings?"
A miner asked, "Betsy, will you dance with me?"
"I will that, old hoss, if you don't make too free;
"But don't dance me hard, do you want to know why?
Dog on, but I'm chock full of strong alkali."
Tell Me Why
Tell me why the stars do shine,
Tell me why the ivy twines,
Tell me why the ocean's blue,
And I will tell you just why I love you.
Because God made the stars to shine,
Because God made the ivy twine,
Because God made the ocean blue,
Because God made you, that's why I love you.
I really think that God above,
Created you for me to love,
He picked you out from all the rest,
Because He knew, dear, that I'd love you best.
The Ash Grove
The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking
The harp thro' it playing has language for me
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking
A host of kind faces is gazing on me
The friends of my childhood again are before me
Each step wakes a mem'ry as freely I roam
With soft whispers laden its leaves rustle o'er me
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home
Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander
When twilight is fading, I pensively rove.
Or at the bright moontide in solitude wander
Amid the dark shades of the lonely ash grove.
'Tis there where the blackbird is cheerfully singing
Each warbler enchants with his notes from a tree.
Ah then little think I of sorrow or sadness
The ash grove entrancing spells beauty for me.
My laughter is over, my step loses lightness
Old countryside measures steal soft on my ears
I only remember the past and its brightness
The dear ones I mourn for again gather here
From out of the shadows their loving looks greet me
And wistfully searching the leafy green dome
I find other faces fond bending to greet me
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home
The Band Played On
Casey would waltz with the strawberry blond, and the band played on.
He'd glide 'cross the floor with the girl he adored, and band played on.
His brain was so loaded it nearly exploded;
The poor girl would shake with alarm.
He married the girl with the strawberry curl, and the band played on.
The Cowboy's Lament (The Street's of Laredo)
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo,
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen,
All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay.
"I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy."
These words he did say as I boldly step by,
"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story:
I was shot in the chest and I know I must die.
"It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing,
It was once in the saddle I use to go gay;
First to the dram-house and then to the card-house;
Got shot in the chest; I am dying today.
"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin;
Get six pretty maidens to carry my pall;
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,
Roses to deaden the clods as they fall.
"Oh beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly,
Play the death march as you carry me along;
Take me to the green valley and lay the sod o'er me,
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong.
"Go fetch me a cup, a cup of cold water,
To cool my parched lips," the cowboy then said;
Before I returned, the spirit has left him
And gone to his Maker-the cowboy was dead.
We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly,
And bitterly wept as we bore him along;
For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young, and handsome,
We all loved our comrade although he done wrong.
The Fox
Oh the fox went out on a chilly night, prayed for the moon to give him light.
He had many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o, town-o,
town-o.
He had many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o.
So he ran 'til he came to a great big pen, where the ducks and the geese were
kept therein.
He said "One of you is going to grease my chin before I leave this town-o, etc.
[Repeat with just one 'town-o.']
He grabbed a duck by the neck, swung a goose over his back.
He didn't mind the 'quack, quack, quack' and the legs all dangling down-o, etc.
[Repeat with just one 'down-o.']
Well old mother flipper-flopper jumped out of bed, out the window she popped
her head.
She cried, "John, John, the gray goose is gone! And the fox is on the town-o,
etc. [Repeat with just one 'town-o.']
So John, he ran to the top of the hill, blew his whistle so loud and shrill.
Fox, he said, "I better flee with my kill or they'll soon be on my trail-o" etc.
[Repeat with just one 'trail-o.']
Well, he ran 'til he came to his cozy den, there were the little ones -
eight, nine ten.
They said, "Daddy, better go back again 'cause it must be a might fine town-o,
etc. [Repeat with just one 'town-o.']
Then the fox and his wife, without any strife, cut up the goose with a fork
and a knife.
They never has such a supper in their life and the little one chewed on the
bones-o, etc. [Repeat with just one 'bones-o.']
The Gypsy Rover
The Gypsy rover went over the hill,
Down to the valley so shady;
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang,
For he won the heart of a lady.
Chorus
Ha di do, ah dido da day, ah di do, ah di day-ee;
He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang,
For he won the heart of a lady.
She left her father's castle gate,
She left her own true lover;
She left her servants and her estate,
To follow the Gypsy rover.
Her father saddled his fastest steed,
He searched the valley all over;
He sought his daughter at great speed,
And the whistling Gypsy rover.
He came at last to a mansion fine,
Down by the river Claydee;
And there was music and there was wine,
For the Gypsy and his lady.
"He is no Gypsy, my father," said she,
"But a lord of freelands all over;
And I will stay to my dying day,
With my whistling Gypsy rover.
The More We Get Together
The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.
For your friends are my friends and my friends are your
friends;
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.
Oh, how's for getting friendly, quite friendly, quite
friendly,
Oh, how's for getting friendly, both your friends and mine.
If your friends like my friends and my friends like your
friends;
We'll all be friends together, now won't that be fine?
The more we camp together, together, together,
The more we camp together, the merrier we'll be.
For my Scout says to your Scout and your Scout says to me:
The more we camp together, the merrier we'll be.
The Riddle Song
I gave my love a cherry that has no stone,
I gave my love a chicken that has no bone,
I gave my love a ring that has no end,
I gave my love a baby that's no cry-en.
How can there be a cherry that has no stone,
How can there be a chicken that has no bone,
How can there be a ring that has no end,
How can there be a baby that's no cry-en?
A cherry when it's bloomin',it has no stone;
A chicken when it's pippin', it has no bone;
A ring when it's rollin', it has no end;
A baby when it's sleepin', it's no cry-en.
The Rose
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower and you its only seed.
It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.
The Saints Go Marching In
Oh, when the Saints go marching in,
Oh, when the Saints go marching in,
Lord, I want to be in that number,
When the Saints go marching in.
2. And when the revelation comes.
3. And when the new world is revealed.
4. And when the sun refuse to shine.
5. And when they gather 'round the throne.
6. And on that hallelujah day.
7. And when the Saints go marching in.
Turkey in the Straw
Oh, as I was a goin' down the road,
With a tired team and a heavy load,
I cracked my whip and leader sprung,
I says good-day to the wagon tongue.
Chorus
Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay, [Repeat.]
Roll 'em up and twist 'em up a high tuckahaw,
And play a little tune called 'Turkey in the Straw.'
Oh, I jumped in the seat, and I gave a little yell,
The horses ran away, broke the wagon all to hell,
Sugar in the gourd and honey in the horn,
I never been so happy since the day I was born.
Oh, I went out to milk, and I didn't know how,
I milked the goat instead of the cow.
A monkey sittin' on a pile of straw,
A-winkin' his eyes at his mother-in-law.
Well, I met Mr. Catfish comin' down stream,
Says Mr. Catfish, "What do you mean?"
I caught Mr. Catfish by the snout,
And I turned Mr. Catfish wrong side out.
Well, I came to a river and I couldn't get across,
So I paid five dollars for a blind old hoss;
He wouldn't go ahead, and he wouldn't stand still,
So we went up and down like an old saw mill.
As I came down the new cut road,
I met Mr. Bullfrog, I met Miss Toad,
And every time Miss Toad would sing,
Old Bullfrog cut a pigeon wing.
Oh, I had an old hen and she had a wooden leg,
She was the best darn hen that ever laid an egg;
She laid more eggs than any hen on the farm,
And a little competition didn't do her any harm.
Well, if frogs had wings and snakes had hair
And automobiles went flying through the air;
Well, if watermelons grew on a huckleberry vine,
We'd all have winter in the summertime.
We Shall Overcome
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day;
Oh! Deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome some day.
We'll walk hand in hand, . . .
We are not afraid, . . . today . . .
The truth shall make us free . . .
We shall live in peace . . .
When I Grow Too Old to Dream
When I grow too old to dream, I'll have you to remember.
When I grow too old to dream, your love will live in my heart.
So hug me, my friend, and so let us part,
And when I grow too old to dream, that hug will live in my heart.
When You Wore A Tulip
When you wore a tulip, a bright yellow tulip,
And I wore a big red rose;
When you caressed me, it was then heaven blessed me,
What a blessing no one knows.
You made life cheery when you called me "dearie,"
'Twas down where the blue grass grows.
Your lips were sweeter than julep, when you wore that tulip,
And I wore a big red rose.
When You're Smiling
When you're smiling, when you're smiling,
The whole world smiles with you.
When you're laughing, when you're laughing,
The sun comes shining through.
But when you're crying, you bring on the rain,
So stop your sighing, be happy again,
Keep on smiling, 'cause when you're smiling,
The whole world smiles with you.
You Are My Sunshine
Chorus
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you;
Please don't take my sunshine away.
The other night dear, when I was sleeping,
I dreamt I held you in my arms.
When I awoke dear, I was mistaken;
So I hung my head and I cried . . .
I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same,
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all some day.
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between
But now you've left me and love another
You have shattered all my dreams.
You Can Dig My Grave (With a Silver Spade)
You can dig my grave with a silver spade; [repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
There's a long white robe up in heaven for me; [repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
There's a starry crown up in heaven for me; [repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
There's a pair of wings up in heaven for me;[repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
There's a golden harp up in heaven for me; [repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
You just pluck one string and the whole heavens ring; [repeat 2 more times.]
'Cause I ain't gonna be here much longer.
America The Beautiful
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain.
Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat,
Across the wilderness.
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
Oh beautiful for heroes proved, in liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
'Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dreams
That sees beyond the years;
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.
You're a Grand Old Flag
You're a grand old flag, you're a high-flying flag,
Forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of, the land I love,
The home of the free and the brave.
Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue,
Where there's never a boast or a brag.
But should old acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
This Land is Your Land
Chorus
This land in your land, this land is my land,
From California, to the New York Island,
From the redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.
As I was walking, that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway,
I saw below me that golden valley,
This land was made for you and me.
I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps,
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
And all around me a voice was sounding,
This land was made for you and me.
I followed your low hills and I followed your cliff rims,
Your marble canyons and sunny bright waters,
This voice came calling, as the fog was lifting,
This land was made for you and me.
As the sun was shining and I was strolling,
Through the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
I could feel inside me and see all 'round me
This land was made for you and me.
Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle went to town, a-riding on a pony;
Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni.
Chorus
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step and with the girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp along with Captain Gooding
And there we saw the men and boys, as thick as hasty pudding.
There was Colonel Washington, upon a strapping stallion,
A-giving orders to his men, I guess there was a million.
And there I saw a cannon barrel as big as mother's basin,
And every time they touched it off they scampered like the nation.