Fun songs

Bear In Tennis Shoes

The other day (echo), I met a bear, (echo)
In tennis shoes (echo), a dandy pair. (echo)
(All repeat with no echo.)

He said to me, why don’t you run
Because you ain’t, got any gun.

And so I ran, away from there
But right behind, me was that bear.

Ahead of me, there was a tree
A great big tree, Oh glory be!

The nearest 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, a way up there.

Now don’t you fret, now don’t you frown.
‘Cause I caught that branch, on the way back down.

The moral of, this story is: Don’t talk to bears, in tennis shoes.

That’s all there is. There ain’t no more. So tell me what, are you singing for? (Don’t repeat the last verse.)

Bill Grogan’s Goat

This is a repeat song. The audience repeats every line after the song leader.

Bill Grogan's Goat, Was feelin' fine,
Ate three red shirts, Right off the line.

Bill took a stick, Gave him a whack,
And tied him to, The railroad track.

The whistle blew!, The train grew nigh,
Bill Grogan's Goat, Was doomed to die.

He gave three groans, Of awful pain,
Coughed up the shirts, And flagged the train!

Bingo

There was a farmer had a dog
And Bing-o was his name-o.
B – I – N – G – O,
B – I – N – G – O,
B – I – N – G – O,
And Bing-o was his name-o.

verse:
2) (clap) – I – N – G – O
3) (clap) – (clap) – N – G – O
4) (clap) – (clap) – (clap) – G – O
5) (clap) – (clap) – (clap) – (clap) – O
6) (clap) – (clap) – (clap) – (clap) – (clap)

Blowing In The Wind

How many roads must a man walk down,
Before you can call him a man?
How many seas must the white dove sail,
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?

Chorus:
The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

How many year must a mountain exist,
Before it is washed by the sea?
How may years must some people exist,
Before they’re allowed to be free?
How many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?

(Chorus)

How many times must a man look up,
Before he can see the sky? How many years must one man have Before he can hear people cry? How many deaths will it take ‘til he knows That too many people have died?

(Chorus)

Clementine

In a cavern, in a canyon
Excavating for a mine,
Dwelt 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.

(Chorus)

Drove she ducklings to the water,
Ev'ry morning just at nine
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine.

(Chorus)

Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles soft and fine
But alas, I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine.
(Chorus)

Then the miner, 'forty‑niner,
Soon began to peak and pine
Thought he oughter find his daughter,
Now he's with his Clementine.

(Chorus)

In my dreams she still doth haunt me,
Robed in garments soaked in brine.
Though in life I used to hug her,
Now she's dead I draw the line.

(Chorus)

Country Roads

Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue Ridge mountains, Shenandoah River,
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze.

Chorus:
Country roads, take me home,
To the place, I belong
West Virginia, mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads.

All my mem’ries gather round her,
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water.
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, tear drop in my eye.

(Chorus)

I hear her voice in the mornin’ hours she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away.
And driving down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday.

(Chorus)

Deep In The Heart Of Texas

The stars at night - are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The prairie sky - is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas.

The sage in bloom - is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas.
Reminds me of - the one I love
Deep in the heart of Texas.

The cowboys cry - ki-yip-pie-yi
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The rabbits rush - around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas.

The coyotes wail - along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The doggies bawl - and bawl and bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas.

Do Your Ears Hang Low

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 hang high?
Do they reach up to the sky?
Do the droop when they're wet?
Do they stiffen when they're 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 elation?
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 little Davy Crockett?
Do your ears fall off?

Down In The Valley

Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow;
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow;
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.

Write me a 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?

Build me a castle forty feet high,
So I can see her, as she rides by;
As she rides by, dear, as she rides by;
So I can see her, as she rides by.

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.

Follow Me Boys

Sergeant Reilley said, There’s a fight to win!
Follow me boys, follow me!
And it won’t be done ‘till we all pitch in.
Lift your chin with a grin and follow me!

Chorus:
Follow me boys, Follow me!
When you think you’re really beat,
That’s the time to lift your feet,
And follow me boys, follow me!
Pick them up, put them down, and follow me.

It’s a long, long time, but we’ve got the will.
Follow me boys, follow me!
When we reach the top then it’s all down hill.
Till you drop, don’t stop, and follow me!

(Chorus)

Though the journey’s end is beyond our sight.
Follow me boys, follow me!
If we do our best then we’ve done all right.
Pack your load, hit the road, and follow me!

(Chorus)

We were all packed in when the sergeant said,
Follow me boys, follow me!
We got off our backs and prepared our attack,
When our sergeant hollered, Follow me!

(Chorus)

There’s a job to do, there’s a fight to win,
Follow me boys, follow me!
And it won’t be done till we all pitch in.
Lift your chin with a grin, and follow me!

(Chorus)

Ghost Riders In The Sky

An old cow poke went riding out one hot and windy day,
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way,
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw,
A-plowing through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw.

Chorus:
Yipi-ki-a, Yipi-ki-o, Ghost riders in the sky.

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel.
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel.
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky.
For as he saw the riders coming hard he could hear their mournful cry.

(Chorus)

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat.
They’re ridin’ hard to catch that herd, but they ain’t caught them yet.
They’ve got to ride for-evermore on that range up in the sky.
On horses snortin’ fire, as they ride, I hear their mournful cry.

(Chorus)

As the riders loped on by, he heard them call his name,
If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on the range,
Then cowboy better change your ways or with us you will ride,
Trying to catch the devil’s herd across the endless sky.

(Chorus)

Ging Gang Goolee

Ging gang goolee, goolee, goolee watcha,
Ging gang goo, ging gang goo.
Ging gang goolee, goolee, goolee watcha,
Ging gang goo, ging gang goo.
Hayla, hayla shayla, hayla shayla hayla ho.
Hayla, hayla shayla, hayla shayla hayla ho.
Shally wally, shally wally, shally wally, shally wally.
Oompah, oompah, oompah.

Happiness Runs

Happiness runs in a circular motion
Life is like a little boat upon the sea
All your thoughts are deeper than the ocean
You can be happy if you let yourself be
Happiness runs, happiness runs,
Happiness runs, happiness runs.

Happy Trails

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (A)

Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (B)

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Hi Ho! Nobody Home

Hi, ho, nobody home.
Meat nor drink nor money have I none.
Still I will be merry.
Hi ho, hi ho.

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.

Chrous: 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.

Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurely down the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.

(Chorus)

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

(Chorus)

I Points To Mine-self

I points to mine-self,, 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.

Top notcher (top of head)
Sweat browser (brow)
Eye blinker (eye)
Horn blower (nose)
Soup strainer (moustache)
Chin chowser (chin)
Rubber necker (neck)
Hand clapper (hand)
Foot stomper (foot)

If You’re Happy

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
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.

If you’re happy and you know it, stamp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it, stamp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it, then you really ought to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, stamp your feet.

If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray”
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray”
If you’re happy and you know it, then you really ought to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray”.

If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
If you’re happy and you know it, then you really ought to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.

I’m An Old Cowhand

I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande
But my legs ain't bowed and my cheeks ain't tanned
I'm the cowboy who never saw a cow
Never roped a steer 'cause I don't know how
I sure ain't fixin' to start in now
Yippee i oh ki-ay! Yippee i oh ki-ay!

I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande
And I learned to ride before I learned to stand
I'm a ridin' fool who is up to date
I know every trail in the Lone Star State
'Cause I ride the range in a Ford V-8
Yippee i oh ki-ay! Yippee i oh ki-ay!

I’m an old cowhand from the Rio Grande
And I come to town just to hear the band
I know all the songs that the cowboys know
'Bout the Big Corral where the dogies go
Cause I learned them all on the radio
Yipee i oh ki-ay! Yippee i oh ki-ay!

I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande
Where the West is wild ‘round the borderland
Where the buffalo roam all around the zoo
And the Indians run up a rug or two
And the old Bar X is just a barbeque
Yippee i oh ki-ay! Yippee i oh ki-ay!

In a Little Cottage

In a little cottage in the middle of the wood,
A little old man by the window stood,
Came a little rabbit hopping by,
Knocking at his door.

Help me! Help me! Help me he said,
Before the hunter shoots me dead.
Come little bunny, come with me.
Happy we will be.

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt,
That’s my name too.
Whenever I go out,
The people always shout.
They say, “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt”
Da-da, da-da, da-da, da.

Johnnie Verbec

There was a little Dutchman, His name was Johnnie Verbeck.
He was a dealer in sausages, sauerkraut and spec.
He made the finest sausages that ever you did see.
But one day he invented a wonderful sausage machine.

Chorus:
Oh, Mister Mister Johnnie Verbeck, How could you be so mean?
I told you you'd be sorry for inventing that machine
Now all the neighbors' cats & dogs will never more be seen
For they'll be ground to sausages in Johnnie Verbeck's machine

One day a little Dutch boy came walking in the store.
He bought a pound of sausage and laid them on the floor.
The boy began to whistle, he whistled a merry tune,
And all the little sausages went dancin' 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 was having a nightmare and walking in her sleep,
She gave the crack an awful yank and Johnnie Verbeck was meat.

(Chorus)

Kum By Yah

Kum By Yah, My Lord, Kum By Yah.
Kum By Yah, My Lord, Kum By Yah.
Kum By Yah, My Lord, Kum By Yah.
Oh Lord, Kum By Yah.

Someone’s crying Lord, Kum By Yah.
(repeat pattern)

Someone’s praying Lord, Kum By Yah.
(repeat pattern)

Someone’s singing Lord, Kum By Yah.
(repeat pattern)

Kum By Yah, My Lord, Kum By Yah.
(repeat pattern)

Kum By Yah

(Scout Law Version)

A Scout is trustworthy, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is loyal, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is helpful, Lord, Kum ba yah.
O Lord, Kum by yah.

A Scout is friendly, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is courteous, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is kind, Lord, Kum ba yah.
O Lord, Kum ba yah.

A Scout is obedient, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is cheerful, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is thrifty, Lord, Kum ba yah.
O Lord, Kum ba yah.

A Scout is brave, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is clean, Lord, Kum ba yah.
A Scout is reverent, Lord, Kum ba yah.
O Lord, Kum ba yah.

Leapfrog Song

(Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic)

As one woodpecker pecked up the peg.
The other woodpecker pecked down. (repeat 3 X)
As the end of the day drew near.

Chorus:

They were only playing Leapfrog, (repeat 3 times)
As the end of the day drew near

As one sly snake slipped up the stake,
The other sly snake slipped down.

As one hedgehog edged up the hedge,
The other hedge hog edged down.

As one blue bat blew into the bowl,
The other blue bat blew out

As one pink porpoise popped into the pool.
The other pink porpoise popped out

As one brown bear backed up the bank,
The other brown bear backed down

As one white whale whipped over the waves.
The other white whale whipped down.

As one slippery seal slid onto the shore.
The other slippery seal slid off.

As one eager eagle eased under the eaves,
The other eager eagle eased out.

As one black bug bled blue-black blood.
The other black bug bled blue.

Oh, Susanna

I’ve 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; I’ve 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 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.

(Chorus)

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,
That brightened our pathway a while.

Chorus:
Come and sit by my side if you love me.
Do not hasten to bid me a-dieu,
But remember the Red River Valley,
And the cowboy that has loved you so true.

Do you think of the valley you’re leaving?
Oh, how lonely, how sad it will be.
Oh, think of the fond heart you’re breaking
And the grief you are causing me to see.

(Chorus)

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 time that we shared ‘mid the flowers.

(Chorus)

Redwing

There once was an Indian maid a shy little prairie maid
who sang all day a love song gay as through the fields she'd while the hours away.
She loved an Indian brave this shy little prairie maid
And then one day he rode away to battle far away.

Oh the moon shines tonight on pretty Red Wing,
The breeze is sighing, the night birds crying,
For a far far away her brave is dying
And Red Wing's crying her heart away.

She watched for him day and night,
She kept all the campfires bright,
And under the sky,
Each night she would lie,
And dream about his coming by and by
But when all the braves returned the heart of Red Wing yearned
For far far away her warrior brave fell bravely in the fray.

Now the Moon shines tonight on pretty Redwing,
The breeze is sighing, the night birds crying,
For a far beneath his star her brave is sleeping,
While Redwing's weeping her heart away.

She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain

She’ll be comin’ round the mountain
When she comes, “Toot, toot!”
(pull down on imaginary whistle cord twice)

She’ll be drivin’ six white horses
When she comes, “Whoa, back!”
(pull back on reins)

And we’ll all go out to meet her
When she comes, “Hi, Babe!”
(wave right hand, palm front, left to right)

And we’ll kill the old red rooster
When she comes, “Hack, hack!”
(chopping motion with right hand)

And we’ll all have chicken ‘n’ dumplings
When she comes, “Yum, yum!”
(rub stomach)

And she’ll have to sleep with Grandma
When she comes, “Snore, snore!”

Shenandoah

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river!
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
Away, you rolling river!
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
Away, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, I’m bound to leave you,
Away, you rolling river!
Oh, Shenandoah, I’ll not deceive you,
Away, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri.

The Ants Go Marching

The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one
The little one stopped to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down, to the ground,
To get out of the rain, boom, boom, boom.

• To tie his shoe
• To climb a tree
• To shut the door
• To dance and jive
• To pick up sticks
• To look to heaven
• To shut the gate
• To check the time
• To say, “The end.”

The Moose

This is an echo song. The audience repeats every phrase sung by the song leader.

There was a great big moose,
Who liked to drink a lot of juice.
(repeat both lines)

Chorus:
Way-oh way-oh.
Way-oh-way-oh-way-oh-way-oh.
Way-oh way-oh.
Way-oh-way-oh-way-oh-way-oh.

The moose’s name was Fred.
He liked to drink his juice in bed.

He drank his juice with care,
But he spilled some in his hair.

Now he’s a sticky moose,
And he’s out there on the loose.

The Dying Cowboy

Oh bury me not on the lone prairie
These words came low and mournfully
From the pallid lips of a youth who lay
On his dying bed at the close of day

Chorus:
Oh bury me not on the lone prairie
Where the coyote howls and the wind blows free
In a narrow grave just six by three
Bury me not on the lone prairie

It matters not I've oft been told
Where the body lies when the heart grows cold
Yet grant oh grant this wish to me
Bury me not on the lone prairie

(Chorus)

Oh bury me not and his voice failed there
But we took no heed of his dying prayer
In a narrow grave just six by three
We buried him there on the lone prairie

(Chorus)

The Grand Old Duke Of York

(Tune: A Hunting We Will Go)

The grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up the hill,

((Everyone stands up))

And marched them down again.

((Everyone sits down))

And when you’re up you’re up;

((Everyone up))

And when you’re down you’re down. ((Everyone down))

And when you’re only halfway up, ((Everyone halfway up))

You’re neither up nor down.

((All up)

((All down))

The 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:
Valderee, Valdera,
Valderee, Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha,
Valderee, Valdera, (repeat last line of verse)

"I tip my hat to all I meet
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds sing so joyously,
From every greenwood tree (chorus)

I love to wander by the brook
That dances in the sun.
So joyously it sings to me,
"Come, join our happy fun." (chorus)

Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die.
And may I always laugh and sing
Beneath God’s clear blue sky. (chorus)

The Happy Voyageur

I love to go a-paddling along the border trail
And as I go, I love to sing, And heave a big gray whale

Chorus:
Val-deri, Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri, Val-dera, And heave a big gray whale (repeat last line of verse)

I love to paddle by the stream that dances in the sun
So joyously it calls to me, "Come, join my happy song!
(chorus)

I tip my hat to all I see and they wave back at me
And loons that call so loud and sweet they fill my heart with glee
(chorus)

High overhead the eagles wing they soar so far from home
I see them glide and I must sing as through the woods we roam
(chorus)

Oh, may I go a-paddling until the day I die!
And may I always laugh and sing beneath the northern sky!
(chorus)

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.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For you know that I know,
And I know that you know,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.

The Old Chisholm Trail

Well, come along boys and listen to my tale
I'll tell you all my troubles on the ol' Chisholm Trail

Refrain:
Come a-ti yi yippy, yippy yea, yippy yea
Come a-ti yi yippy, yippy yea.

I started up the trail October twenty-third
Started up the trail with the U-2 herd

On a ten dollar horse and a forty dollar saddle
Started out punchin' them long horn cattle