A Camp Songbook

Delmont Scout Reservation
and
Resica Falls Scout Reservation
1996

Table of Contents

Action Songs

Traditional Songs

Scouting Songs

 

Camp Specific Songs

Patriotic Songs

National Anthem

Songs with Battle Hymn Tune

Inspirational Songs

Reverent Songs

Rounds

Silly Songs

Miscellanious Songs

Gross Songs

Cheers

Run ons and Short Skits

Acknowledgement


  • Action Songs

    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!!
         

    Baby Beluga

    
              Baby beluga in the deep blue sea,
              Swim so wild and you swim so free.
              Heaven about you, sea below,
              Just a little white whale on the go.
    
              Baby beluga, baby beluga, is the water warm?
              Is your mother home with you, so happy.
    
              Way down yonder where the dolphins play,
              Where they dive and splash all day,
              The waves roll in and the waves roll out,
              See the water squirting out of your spout.
    
              Baby beluga, baby beluga, sing your little song,
              Sing for all your friends, we like to hear you.
    
              When it's late and you're home and fed,
              Curling up snug in your waterbed.
              Stars are shining and the moon is bright,
              Good night, little whale, goodnight.
    
              Baby beluga, baby beluga, with tomorrow's sun,
              Another day has come, you'll soon be waking.
    
              Baby beluga, baby beluga, is the water warm?
              Is your mother home with you, so happy.
    
           Actions: Hands together, make the shape of a small whale jumping
           over the waves.
    
         

    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.
         

    Boom Chicka Boom

    
             I said a-boom-chick-a-boom! [Group echoes.]
             I said a-boom-chick-a-boom! [Group echoes.]
             I said 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).
         

    The Cat Came Back

    
         Old man Johnson had troubles of his own.
         Had a little cat that wouldn't leave him alone.
         He tried and tried to give him away,
         He gave him to a man going far, far away.
    
         CHORUS:
         But the cat came back, the very next day.
         But the cat came back, they thought he was a goner,
         But the cat came back, he just couldn't stay away, away, away.
    
         He gave it to a man going up in a ballon
         Told him to give it to the man in the moon
         The ballon came down about 20 miles away
         And where that man is we just can't say.
            (chorus)
         He gave him to a boy with a dollar note,
         Told him to take up the river in a boat,
         Tied a rock round its neck must have weighed a hundred pounds,
         And now they're dredging the river for the little boy who drowned.
            (chorus)
         He gave hime to a man going way, way out west,
         Told him to give it to the one he favored best,
         First the train jumped track, then it hit the rail,
         And no one is alive today to tell the gruesome tale.
            (chorus)
         Old man Johnson said he'd shoot that cat on sight,
         So he loaded up his shotgun with nails and dynamite.
         He waited and waited for that cat to come around,
         But ninety seven pieces of the man were all they ever found
            (chorus)
         The H-bomb fell just the other day,
         The A-bomb fell in the very same way,
         Russia went, China went, and the USA
         The human race was destroyed without a chance to pray.
       

    Do Your Ears Hang Low?

    
          [Tune: Turkey in the Straw, refrain]
    
           Do your ears hang low?
           Do they wobble to and fro?
           Can you tie them in a knot?
           Can you tie them in a bow?
           Can you throw them over your shoulder
           Like a continental soldier?
           Do your ears hang low.
    
           Do your ears stand high?
           Do they reach up to the sky?
           Do they droop when ththey're wet?
           Do they stiffen when they dry?
           Can you semaphore your neighbor.
           With a minimum of labor?
           Do your ears hang high?
    
           Do your ears hang wide?
           Do they flap from side to side?
           Do they wave in the breeze,
           From the slightest little sneeze?
           Can you soar above the nation
           with a feeling of elevation?
           Do your ears hang wide?
    
           Do your ears fall off,
           When you give a great big cough?
           Do they lie there on the ground,
           Or bounce up at every sound?
           Can you stick them in your pocket,
           Just like Davy Crocket?
           Do your ears fall off?
         

    Dum, Dum, Da, Da

    
              Dum, dum, da, da,
              Da-dum, dum, da, da,
              Da-dum, dum, da, da, da, dum, da-dum, dum, dum
              Dum, dum, da, da,
              Da-dum, dum, da, da,
              Da-dum, dum, da, da, da, dum.
    
           First time through: pat both knees twice, then right hand to
           left shoulder twice; pat knees twice, then left hand to right
           shoulder twice.
           Second time through: pat both knees once, then right hand to
           left shoulder once; pat knees once, then left hand to right
           shoulder once; pat knees, then cross arms, uncross arms and then
           snap fingers.
           Third time through: left hand on right elbow, flutter right
           hand; right hand on left elbow, flutter left hand.
           Fourth time through: brush hands, then right hand on left elbow;
           left hand on right elbow.
           Fifth time through: cross arms, lean alternately forward and
           back.
         

    FAST FOOD

    
         Tune: A ram sam sam
    
           Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
           Kentuckey Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
           Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
           Kentuckey Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
           McDonald McDonalds
          Kentuckey 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
           Chuckey Cheese and a Dairy Queen
           Dairy Queen A Dairy Queen
           Chuckey Cheese and a Dairy Queen
           Roy Rogers Roy Rogers
           Chuckey Cheese and a Dairy Queen
    
          Actions
           Pizza Hut - Make shape of a hut in the air
           Kentuckey Fried- Flap elbows up and down in the manner of a
           demented chicken
           McDonalds - Put hands on top of head and bribg 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
           Rel Lobster - hold up arms and bring fingers down on thumbs
           like lobser claws snaping
           Dairy Queen - mimic milking a cow
           Chuckey Cheese - mimic throwing up a pizza
           Roy Rogers - miminc riding a horse
         

    Little Bunny Fu-Fu

    
             Little bunny Fu-fu, hoppin' though the forest,
             Scoopin' up the field mice and boppin' them on the head.
             Along came the good fairy, and she said:
             "Little bunny Fu-fu, I don't want to see you
             Scoopin' up the field mice and boppin' 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.'
         

    Goin' On a Lion Hunt

    
          [Audience echos 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.]
         

    If I were not a Boy Scout...

    [Tune: This is the Music Concert]
    
    	If I were not a Boy Scout, I wonder what I'd be
            If I were not a Boy Scout, a ......
    
    
          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!
    	 [or] Hey Man!  Cool Man!  Far out!  Wow!
         
          10.A farmer I would be
             Here's a cow, there's a cow, and here's another yuck!
             [or] Come on Betsy give... the baby's gotta live
    
          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!
             [or] Needle!  Thread!  Stick 'em in the head!
    
          16.An electrician I would be
             Positive, negative bbzzzzt zap
    
          17.A fireman I would be
             Jump lady, jump... whoaa slpat!
    
          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, pick out the good stuff
    	 [or] Pile that garbage.  Pile that garbage.  Pile it to the sky.
    
          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 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 ...
         
         32.A DJ I would Be,
             Miles of smiles on the radio dial.
         
         33. A Stewardess I would be,
    	 Here's your coffee, here's your tea.  hear's your paper bag, urrrp
    
         34. A Baker I would be,
             Donuts!  Eclairs!  Buy My Buns!
    
         35. A Lifeguard I would be,
    	 Save yourself, Man. I'm working on my tan!
    	 [or] Mouth to Mouth Resuscitate, What a way to get a date.
    
         36. A Lawer I would be,
    	 Honest.  I swear, My client wasn't there
    
         37. An Undertaker I would be,
    	 6 x 4, nail them to the floor.
    
         38. An Engineer, I would be,
    	 Push the button, push the button, kick the darn machine.
    
         39. A Ranger I would be,
    	 Get eaten by a bear, see if I care.
    
         40. A Scoutmaster I would be,
             Do this, do that, I'm gonna take a nap.
          
    
          Finally: A Girl Scout I would be!
    
        

    I'm a Little Hunk of Tin

    
        I'm a little hunk of tin, nobody knows where I have been..
        Got four wheels and a running board, I'm a four-by-four-by-four..
        Honk-honk, rattle-rattle, rattle crash, beep-beep
        Honk-hank, rattle-rattle,  rattle crash, beep-beep
        Honk-honk, honk, honk. 
    
          Actions: honk-pull ears; rattle-shake head; crash-cover face
          with hands; beep-push on nose with flat of hand
         

    There were Three Jolly Fishermen

    
           There were three jolly fishermen,
           There were three jolly fishermen,
           There were three jolly fishermen,
           Fisher, fisher, men, men, men,
           Fisher, fisher, men, men, men,
           There were three jolly fishermen.
    
           The first one's name was Abraham,
           The first one's name was Abraham,
           The first one's name was Abraham,
           Abra, Abra, ham, ham, ham,
           Abra, Abra, ham, ham, ham,
           The first one's name was Abraham.
    
           The second one's name was I-I-saac,
           The second one's name was I-I-saac,
           The second one's name was I-I-saac,
           I-I, I-I, saac, saac, saac,
           I-I, I-I, saac, saac, saac,
           The second one's name was I-I-saac.  
    
           The third one's name was Ja-a-cob,
           The third one's name was Ja-a-cob,
           The third one's name was Ja-a-cob,
           Ja-a, Ja-a, cub, cub, cub,
           Ja-a, Ja-a, cub, cub, cub,
           The third one's name was Ja-a-cob.
    
           They all went up to Jericho,
           They all went up to Jericho,
           They all went up to Jericho,
           Jer-i, Jer-i, cho, cho, cho,
           Jer-i, Jer-i, cho, cho, cho,
           They all went up to Jericho.
    
           They should have gone to Amsterdam,
           They should have gone to Amsterdam,
           They should have gone to Amsterdam,
           Amster, amster, shh, shh, shh,
           Amster, amster, shh, shh, shh,
           They should have gone to Amsterdam.
         

    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.
         

    Little Rabbit

    
             In a cabin in the woods, little old man by the window stood.
             Saw a rabbit hopping by, knocking at his door..
             "Help me, help me, help me." shout the rabbit,
             "Before the hunter shoots me dead."
             Come little rabbit, come inside; safely at my side.
         

    The Muffin Man.

    
           Do you know the muffin Man,
           the Muffin Man, the muffin man.
           Do You know the muffin man,
           who lives on gingerbread lane.
    
           Yes I know the muffin man,
           the muffin man, the muffin man.
           Yes I know the muffin man,
           who lives on gingerbread lane.
     
           We all know the muffin man,
           the muffin man, the muffin man.
           We all know the muffin man,
           who lives on gingerbread lane.
    
            Start with one person, asking another.  Then third verse together.
            Then each of them finds another person to ask and it keeps repeating
            until everyone knows the muffin man.
    
         

    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.]
             A-root-ta-ta, root-ta-ta. root-ta-ta-TA
    
          Add each of the following, in turn:
             Thumbs Up     Arms Out     Elbows In
             Knees Bent    Knees together  Toes together
             Butt out      Chest out   Head Back   Tongue out
         

    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.
         

    TRADITIONAL SONGS

    Acres of Clams

    
         I've wandered all over this country,
         Prospecting and digging for gold;
    
         I've tunnel'd, hydraulicked, and cradled,
         And I nearly froze in the cold.
         And I nearly froxe in the cold,
         And I nearly froze in the cold,
         I've tunnel'd, hydraulicked, and cradled,
         And I nearly froze in the cold.
    
    
         I rolled up my grub in my blanket,
         I left all my tools on the ground,
         I started one morning to shank it
         For the country they call Puget Sound.
         For the country they call Puget Sound,
         For the country they call Puget Sound,
         I started one morning to shank it
         For the country they call Puget Sound.
    
         No longer the slave of ambition,
         I laugh at the worls and its shams,
         And I think of my happy condition
         Surrounded by acres of clams.
         Surrounded by acres of clams,
         Surrounded by acres of clams,
         And I think of my happy condition
         Surrounded by acres of clams.
         

    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.
         

    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?
         

    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.
         

    CHARLIE ON THE M.T.A

    
           Let me tell ya of a story 'bout a man named Charlie, on a tragic
           and faithful day.  He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and
           family, went to ride on the M.T.A
    
           Chorus: But did he ever return?  No, he never returned, and his fate
                is still unlearned.  (Poor old charlie).  He may ride forever
                'neath the streets of Boston, he's the man who never returned.
    
           Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendel Square Station and he 
           changed for Jamaca Plains.  When he gott there the conductor 
           told him, "one more nickle,"  Charlie couldn't get off that
           train
    
           Well all night long Charlie rides through the stations, saying,
           "What will become of me?  How can I afford to see my sister in
           Chelsea or my cousin or Roxbury?"
    
           Charlie's wife goes down to the Scully Square station, every day 
           at a quarter past two.  And through the open window, 
           she hands Charlie a sandwich as the train goes a rumbling through.
             

    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."
    
         

    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.
         

    The Erie Canal

    
           I've got a mule, her name is Sal,
           Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
           She's a good ol' worker and a good ol' pal,
           Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
           We've hauled some barges inour day,
           Filled with lumber, coal, and hay,
           And now we know ev'ry inch of the way
           From Albany to Buffalo.
    
          Chorus:
    
           Low bridge, ev'rybody down!
           Low bridge, for we're comin' to a town!
           And you'll always know your neighbor,
           You'll always know your pal,
           if you've ever naviagted on the Erie Canal.
    
           We better get on our way, old pal,
           Fiften miles on the Erie Canal.
           'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal,
           Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
           Get up there mule, here comes a lock,
           We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock,
           One more trip and back we'll go,
           Right back home to Buffalo.
         

    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.
         

    Handcart Song

    
           Ye Saints who dwell on Europe's shore,
           Prepare yourself for many more
           To leave behind your native land,
           For sure God's judgements are at hand.
           For you must cross the raging main
           Before the promised land you gain,
           And with the faithful make a start
           To cross the plains with your handcart.
    
          Chorus:  
    
           For some must push and some must pull
           As we go marching up the hill;
           So merrily on the way we go
           Until we reach the valley-o!
    
    
           And long befor the valley the valley's gained,
           We will be met upon the plains
           With music sweet and friens so dear
           And fresh supplies our heart to cheer.
           And then with music and with song,
           How cheerfully we'll march along
           And thank the day we made a start
           To cross the plains with our handcart.
    
          Chorus:
         

    Happy Wanderer

    
           I love to go a-wandering
           along the mountain track,
           And as I go,
           I love to sing
           My knapsack on my back.
    
           Chorus
           Valdaree, valdarah, valdaree,
           Valdarah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
           Valdaree, valdarah
           My knapsack on my back.
    
           I love to wander by the stream
           that dances in the sun
           so joyously
           it calls to me
           "Come join my happy song."
          
           I tip my hat to all I meet,
           and they wave back to me
           The blackbird call
           so load and sweet
           from every greenwood tree.
    
           High overhead the Skylark wings.
           He never stays at home.
           And just like me,
           he loves to sing
           as over the world he roams.
    
           Oh may I go a-wandering
           until the day I die.
           Oh may I always
           laugh and sing
           beneath God's clear blue sky.
    
          Chorus
         

    I'm Happy When I'm Hiking

    
           Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp, 
           tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp,
           I'm happy when I'm hiking,
           pack up-on my back
           I'm happy when I'm hiking
           Off the beaten track.
           Out in the open country,
           that's the place for me.
           With a true Scouting friends
           to journey's end,
           ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty miles a day.
           Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp, 
           tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp.
         

    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!"
    
         

    Johnnie Verbeck

    
           There was a Dutch-man,
           his name was John-nie Ver-beck.
           He was a dealer in sausages and sauerkraut and spec.
           He makes the finest sausages that ever you did see.
           But one day he invented a wonderful sausage machine.
    
          Chorus
           Oh, Mister Johnnie Verbeck,
           How could you be so mean?
           I told you you'd be sorry for inventing that machine.
           All the neighbors cats and dogs  
           Will never more be seen,
           For they'll be ground to sausage meat
           In Johnnie Verbeck's machine.
    
           One day a little fat boy came a walking in the store
           He brought a pound of sausage and piled them on the floor.
           The boy began to whistle and he whistled up a tune.
           And all the sausages went a dancing 'round the room.
    
          Chorus
    
           One day the machine got busted the blamed thing wouldn't  go.
           So Johnnie Verbeck, he climbed inside to see what made it so.
           His wife, she had a nightmare and walking in her sleep
           She gave the crank an awful yank and Johnnie Verbeck was meat.
    
          Chorus
         

    Land of Oden

    
           In the land of Oden, 
           there lies a mountain,
           Ten thousand miles, in the air
           From edge to edge
           This mountain measures, 
           Ten thousand miles square
    
           A little bird comes a winging
           Once every thousand years or so
           Sharpens its beak on teh mountain
           And then he swiftly flies away
    
           And when this mountain 
           has worn away
           that in eternity will be
           But one single day.
    
           In the land of Oden,
           There lies a mountain
           Ten thousand miles in the air
           In the air
           In the air.
         

    The Mermaid

    
           'Twas Friday Morn When we set sail,
           and our ship wasn't far from the land.
           When our captain spied a pretty mermaid,
           with a comb and a glass in her hand.
    
         CHORUS: Oh, the ocean waves may roll
              and the stormy winds may blow
              But we poor sailors go skipping to the top
              While the landlubbers lie down below, below, below
              While the landlubbers lie down below, below.
    
           Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship,
           and a fine old man was he.
           "This fishy mermaid has warned us of our doom,
           we shall sink to the bottom of the sea."
    
          chorus
    
           Then up spoke the mate of our gallant ship
           and a well spoken man was he.
           "I've married me a wife in old Salem Town,
           and tonight a widow she'll be."
    
          chorus
    
           Then up spoke the cook of our gallant ship,
           and a red hot cook was he.
           "I care more for my pots and my pans,
           than I do for the bottom of the sea."
    
          chorus
    
           Then up spoke the figurehead of our gallant ship
           and a well carved figure was she.
           "I'd rather be a figurehead of this gallant ship
           than a log at the bottom of the sea."
    
          chorus
    
           Then up spoke the cabin boy of our gallant ship
           and a dirty little rat was he.
           "There's nary a soul in old salem town, 
           who gives a lick 'bout me."
    
          chorus
    
           Then three times around went our gallant ship,
           Then three times around went she.
           Then three times around went our gallant ship,
           and she sank to the bottom of the sea.
    
           chorus
    
         

    ... Mighty Fine.... . . Scout Camp

    
             The busses that you ride in, they say are mightly fine,
             But when they turn a corner, they leave the wheels behind.
         Chorus
             Oh, I don't want no more of Delmont Life..
             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 spagetti 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/her yet.
         

    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 scandle
             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.
         

    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.]
          

    Patsy Ory Ay

    
         CHORUS:
          Patsy orry orry ay!
          Patsy orry orry ay!
          Patsy orry orry ay!
          working on the railroad.
    
          Eighteen Hundred and fourty-one,     Eighteen Hundred and Fourty-seven
          that's the year my story begun,      That's the year I went to Heaven
          that's the year my story begun,      That's the year I went to Heaven
          working on the railroad.             working on the railroad.
    
        chorus                            chorus
    
          Eighteen hundred and fourty-two,     Eighteen Hundred and Fourty-Eight,
          that's the year I caught the flu,    St Peter said I was too late,
          that's the year I caught the flu,    St Peter said I was too late,   
          working on the railroad.             working on the railroad.
    
        chorus                            chorus
    
          Eighteen hundred and fourty-three,   Eighteen Hundred and fourty-nine
          that's the year I went to sea,       The Devil said I was on time.
          that's the year I went to sea,       The devil said I was on time.
          working on the railroad.             working on the railroad.
    
        chorus                           chorus
    
          Eighteen hundred and fourty-four,    Eighteen Hundred and fifty,
          that's the year I went to war,       From now until eternity,
          that's the year I went to war,       From now until eternity,
          working on the railroad.             Working on the railroad.
    
         chorus
    
          Eighteen hundred and fourty-five,
          that's the year I caught the hives,
          that's the year I caught the hives,
          working on the railroad.
    
         chorus
    
          Eighteen hundred and fourty-six,
          I dropped me shovels and picked up me picks,
          I dropped me shovels and picked up me picks,
          working on the railroad.
         

    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.
         

    A ram, Sam, Sam

    
        A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli ram sam sam.
        A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli ram sam sam.
        Arra-tay arra-tay, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli ram sam sam
        Arra-tay arra-tay, gooli gooli gooli gooli gooli ram sam sam
         

    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.
         

    Shenandoah

    
              Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
              Far away you rolling river,
              Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
              Away, we're bound away across the wide Missouri.
    
              I long to see your smiling valley, . . .
              'Tis seven long years since last I saw thee, . . .
              When first I took a rambling notion, . . . To sail across the
              briny ocean.
         
         

    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.
         

    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.
          

    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!
         

    Waltzing Matilda

    
         Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
         Under the shade of a collibah tree,
         and he sang as he watched
         And waited till his billy boiled,
         "You'll come a waltzing, Matilda with me."
    
         Chorus:  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 beside teh billabong,
         Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee;
         And he sang as he talked to that jumbuck in his tuckerbag; **
         You'll come a waltzine Matilda with me.
    
         Down came the stockman riding on his toughbred;
         Down came the troopers one, two three.
         Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag? **
         You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
    
         Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,
         "You'll never catch me alive," cried he.
         And his ghost may be heard as your ride by the billabong, **
         You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me.
    
         ** replaces third line of chorus.
         


    SCOUTING SONGS

    Be Kind To Your . . . Scouting Friends

    
           [Tune: Stars and Stripes Forever]
    
              Be kind to your . . . Scouting friends,
              That's a pledge from one Scout to another.
              Be kind to your leaders today,
              'Cause for helping they don't get any pay.
              Be kind to your neighbors and friends,
              'Cause by caring you follow Scouting's letter.
               . . . Scouting and friendship are grand,
              And as we grow, the world will know,
              We've made things better.
           

    On My Honor

    
           On my honor, I'll do my best,
           to do my duty to God.
           On my honor, I'll do my best,
           to serve my country as I may.
           On my honor, I'll do my best,
           to do my good turn each day,
           to keep my body strengthened,
           to keep my mind awakened,
           to follow paths of righteousness,
           On my honor, I'll do my best.
           

    Philmont Hymn

    
              Silver on the sage,                Wind in whispering pines,
              Starlit skies above,               Eagles soaring high,
              Aspen covered hills,               Purple mountains rise,
              Country that I love.               Against an azure sky.
              Philmont Here's thee,              Philmont here's to the,
              Scouting Paradise,                 Scouting Paradise, 
              Out in God's country, tonight      Out in God's country Tonight.
         

    Scout Vespers

    
              Softly falls the light of day,
              While our campfires fade away.
              Silently each Scout 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?
           

    Day is Done (Taps)

    
             Day is done, gone the sun,
             From the lake, 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.
    
             Sun has set, shadows come,
             Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
             Always true to the promise that they made.
    
             While the light fades from sight,
             And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
             To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
         

    Boy Scouts of America

    
              We're the Boy Scouts of America
              Scouting for things anew.
              Our activities lead to victories
              in all we set out to do.
    
              We're the Boy Scouts of America,
              We plan hand in hand each day
              To do better than need be done
              till all our goals are won
              champs with a winning way.
    
              We're loyal tto purpose and integrity
              Pledged to the Scout Oath eternally.
              With verve and conviction we sing our song
              to keep America strong.
    
              We're the Boy Scouts of America
              and this we have to say
              Join us and we'll stand beside you,
              beside you all the way.
              The Boy Scouts of America 
              will stand beside you all the way.
         


    PATRIOTIC SONGS

    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.
         

    America The Beautiful

    
          - Katherine Lee Bates
    
             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.
          

    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. 
         

    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.
         


    NATIONAL ANTHEM

    The Star-Spangled Banner

    
           - Francis Scott Key
    
              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 watched were so galantly streaming?
              And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
              Gave proof through 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 home of the brave!
    
              On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
              Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
              What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
              As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
              Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
              In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
              'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave,
              O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
    
              And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
              That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
              A home and a country shall leave us no more?
              Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.
              No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
              From the terrors of flight or the gloom of the grave:
              And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
              O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
    
              Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
              Between their loved ones and wild war's desolation,
              Blest with victr'y and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,
              Praise the pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.
              Then conquer we must when our cause it is just,
              And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
              And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
              O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
    
           

    Francis Scott Key was an lawyer in Washington D.C. at the time of the War of 1812. He received permission from President James Madison to ask the British to release his friend, Dr. William Beanes, who had been taken prisoner. On September 13, 1814, Key was rowed out to a British ship in Baltimore Harbor to secure the release. The request was granted, but Key was detained on- board overnight as a precaution against his warning the garrison of Fort McHenry of the attack the British were about to make.

    During the night, Key witnessed the attack from the deck of the British ship. The hours passed slowly as he anxiously waited for dawn. When the sun finally rose, the sky was gray with low- hung clouds and patches of mist. But as the day grew brighter, Key was able to make out the enormous American Flag9 still flying over the fort, showing that it had not surrendered. Key's exhilaration at the sight began to take poetic shape; using the back of a letter he pulled from his pocket, he jotted down a few lines and phrases.

    When the British withdrew and the Americans had returned to Baltimore, Key added to his lines and entitled the poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry". Shortly afterward he conceived of it being sung to a popular tune of the period, called "To Anacreon From Heaven"; this was the tune we know today as "The Star Spangled Banner".

    The song immediately caught on in Baltimore; the Fort McHenry garrison adopted it, and the local newspapers published it. As rest of the nation began to realize the significance of the events at Fort McHenry, people in other cities began putting Francis Scott Key's words to the tune.

    Contenders for the status of national anthem included such rivals as "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean". "The Star Spangled Banner" eventually prevailed and was made the official national anthem of the United States by an Act of Congress in 1931.

    The flag that flew over Fort McHenry was originally 42 feet long. Each stripe was nearly two feet wide, and the five-pointed stars were two feet from point to point. Tattered and marred by relic-seekers, it is now preserved at the Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology in Washington, D.C.


    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.
         


    BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC TUNES

    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!
             Glory, glory hallelujah!
             Glory, glory hallelujah, 
             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.
         

    Pink Pajamas

    
         (Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic)
    
           I wear my pink pajamas 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.
    
         

    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.
         

    He jumped without a parachute ...

    
          He was flying a Flying Fortress at forty thousand feet 
          He was flying a Flying Fortress at forty thousand feet 
          He was flying a Flying Fortress at forty thousand feet 
          But he ain't gonna fly no more
    
          He didn't see the fighters when they pounced him from the sun 
          He didn't see the fighters when they pounced him from the sun 
          He didn't see the fighters when they pounced him from the sun 
          So he ain't gonna fly no more.
    
          He heard a bang, the plane broke up and spread across the sky 
          He heard a bang, the plane broke up and spread across the sky 
          He heard a bang, the plane broke up and spread across the sky 
          And it ain't gonna fly no more
    
          He jumped without a parachute from forty thousand feet    
          He jumped without a parachute from forty thousand feet    
          He jumped without a parachute from forty thousand feet     
          But he ain't gonna jump no more
    
          They scraped him off the tarmac like a dollop of strawberry jam 
          They scraped him off the tarmac like a dollop of strawberry jam 
          They scraped him off the tarmac like a dollop of strawberry jam 
          And he ain't gona jump no more
    
          They spread him on a postcard and they sent him home to Mum 
          They spread him on a postcard and they sent him home to Mum 
          They spread him on a postcard and they sent him home to Mum 
          'cause he ain't gonna jump no more
    
          They buried him in a matchbox at the bottom of the yard 
          They buried him in a matchbox at the bottom of the yard 
          They buried him in a matchbox at the bottom of the yard 
          'cause he ain't gonna jump no more
    
           His ghost jumps without a parachute from forty thousand feet 
           His ghost jumps without a parachute from forty thousand feet 
           His ghost jumps without a parachute from forty thousand feet 
           And he's gonna keep on jumping evermore
    
    
          Chorus :  Gory, Gory, what a terrible way to die
                 Gory Gory what a terrible way to die
                 Gory Gory. what a terrible way to die
                 And he ain't gonna jump no more
         

    JOHN BROWNS BODY

    
         Verse #1
              He jumped from forty thousand feet without a paracute
              He jumped from forty thousand feet without a paracute
              He jumped from forty thousand feet without a paracute
              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
    
         Verse #2
              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
    
         Verse #3
              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
    
         Verse #4
              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
    
         Verse #5
              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
    
         Verse #6
              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
    
         Chorus
          Notes:-
              Verse #4 is sometimes ommited, 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 emphasize the point that he aint
              gonna jump no more.
    
         

    HE JUMPED WITHOUT A PARACHUTE

    
         This is a Brit version of a song known in the US as
         Never tie a love knot in a paracuters cute
    
         Tune Battle  Hymn of the Republic - John Browns Body
    
         He jumped without a paracute from twenty thousand feet
         He jumped without a paracute from twenty thousand feet
         He jumped without a paracute from twenty thousand feet
         And he aint gorna jump no more
    
         (Ch) - 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 
         They scraped him off the tarmac like a lump of strawberry jam 
         They scraped him off the tarmac like a lump of strawberry jam 
         and he aint gonna jump no more.
    
         (Ch)
    
         They put him in a sardine tin and sent him home to mum 
         They put him in a sardine tin and sent him home to mum 
         They put him in a sardine tin and sent him home to mum 
         and he aint gonna jump no more.
    
         (CH)
    
         They put him on the mantle piece for everyone to see
         They put him on the mantle piece for everyone to see 
         They put him on the mantle piece for everyone to see 
         and he aint gonna jump no more.
    
         (Ch)
    
         They spead him on a slice of bread when the vicar came to tea 
         They spead him on a slice of bread when the vicar came to tea 
         They spead him on a slice of bread when the vicar came to tea 
         and he aint gonna jump no more.
    
         (Last Ch)
    
         

    Paratrooper Song

    
         [Note:  These are the original words. Appropriate substitutions should be
         made for scouting.]
    
         "Is everybody happy", cried the Sargeant looking up.
         Our hero, feebly answered "Yes!", and then they stood him up.
         He jumped right out the open door, his static line forgot,
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus: Gory, gory, what a Helluva Way to Die!
              Gory, gory, what a Helluva Way to Die!
              Gory, gory, what a Helluva Way to Die!
              He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         He counted loud, he counted long, he waited for the shock.
         He felt the wind, he felt the clouds, he felt the awful drop.
         He jerked his cord, the silk spilled out, but wrapped around his legs,
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus
    
         The risers wrapped around his neck, connectors cracked his dome.
         The lines were snarled and tied in knots around his skinny bones.
         The canopy became his shroud, as he hurtled to his death.
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus
    
         The days he lived, and loved and laughed, kept running through his mind,
         He thought about the girl back home, the one he left behind.
         He thought about the medics and he wondered what they'd find.
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus
    
         The ambulances were on the spot, the jeeps were running wild.
         The medics jumped and screamed with glee. They rolled their sleaves and
         smiled.
         For it had been a week or more since last a chute  had failed,
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus
    
         He hit the ground, the sound was "SPLAT". His blood went spurting high.
         His comrades then were heard to say, "A helluva way to die".
         He lay there rolling round in the welter of his gore,
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
    
         Chorus
    
         There was blood upon the risers, there was brains upon the chute.
         Intestines were a dangling from the paratroopers boots.
         They picked him up, still in his chute and poured him from his boots.
         He ain't gonna jump no more.
         Chorus
          -The End-
         


    INSPIRATIONAL SONGS

    All Night, All Day

    
                     All night, all day, (O Lordy)
                     Angels watching over me, my Lord.
                     All night, all day,
                     Angels watching over me.
    
                  1. Now I lay me down to sleep.
                     Angels watching over me, my Lord.
                     Pray the Lord my soul to keep.
                     Angels watching over me.
    
                  2. If I die before I wake
                     Angels watching over me, my Lord.
                     Pray the Lord my soul to take.
                     Angels watching over me.
             

    For the Beauty of the Earth

    
                  For the beauty of the earth,
                  For the glory of the skies,
                  For the love from which our birth,
                  Over and around us lies;
                  Lord of all, to Thee we raise
                  This hymn of grateful praise.
    
                  For the wonder of each hour
                  Of the day and of the night,
                  Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,
                  Sun and moon, and stars of light;
                  Lord of all, to Thee we raise
                  This hymn of grateful praise.
    
                  For the joy of human love,
                  Brother, sister, parent, child,
                  Friends on earth and friends above,
                  For all gentle thoughts and mild;
                  Lord of all, to Thee we raise
                  This hymn of grateful praise.
             

    Green Trees Around You

    
           Green trees around you, blue skies above;
           Friends all about you in a world filled with love.
           Taps sounding softly, hearts beating true,
           As Girl Scouts sing Good Night to you.
                     (then you sing Taps)
           

    Jimmy Brown

          
           Run and jump and skip and fall
           You think you're tall 
           But you're so small
           Mama calls for supper
           No more play
           Soon comes tomorow
           There'll be another day
         Chorus:
           Singin Hey la de da
           Oh lah de de
           Oh de ow don do and 
           ali axen free oh
           I can run faster than Jimmy Brown
           I'm the king of the mountain and 
           You'll never get me down.
              
           Up bright and early got a lot to do.  
           Gonna build a castle and go to teh zoo
           And visit mother goose 
           In story book land
           Why does mommy hold my hand?
              (chorus)
          I'm pretty old now, 
          five and a half
          Bonna be like daddy 
          and never laugh
          Cuase when you're old 
          You gotta be strong
          You're not a child 
          for very long
               (chorus)
          I'm full grown now
          On my own
          Oh how I wish 
          I could go back home
          And play all day 
          With my old friends
          Why does childhood 
          Have to end?
               (chorus)
         

    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.
    
         Someone's crying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's crying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's crying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Oh, Lord, Kum ba yah.
    
         Someone's singing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's singing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's singing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Oh Lord, Kum ba yah.
    
         Someone's laughing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's laughing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's laughing, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Oh Lord, Kum ba yah.
    
         Someone's praying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's praying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Someone's praying, Lord, Kum ba yah.
         Oh Lord, Kum ba yah.
         

    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.
         

    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.
              


    REVERENT SONGS

    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.
         

    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.