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2. music
3. singing

Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
From Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles,
in recognition of the
100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA
& in conjunction with the GSGLA Camporee:
GSGLA
Team Song
Camporee
October 2012
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Introduction
This booklet contains the lyrics for 76 songs identified by a group of long-time
Girl Scout singers as a kind of core collection of songs enjoyed by Girl Scouts
through the years. Some effort was made to assign songs to the year they
were published, if known, but often a song was placed in the decade that the
Scouts remembered learning it in. In any case, there is no need to sing them
in any particular order.
A small subset of songs is called out as The Basic Eight: songs that together
express a number of key Girl Scout traits and values that we feel all Girl
Scouts should know. These are identified in the book with an asterisk
following the song title.
Where we had supplemental information about a song’s provenance or
composer, we’ve provided it as a “Song Snippet.”
The file is formatted for 2-sided printing and being collected in a binder.
General Singing Instructions:
• On Rounds: everyone sings the whole thing through once, then the parts
come in as the numbers indicate. Sing the song the number of times
there are parts; i.e., if there are 3 parts, everyone sings the song three
times through. You can always do a smaller number of parts than is
shown if there are not enough singers, or they are very new to singing
rounds.
• Song actions or instructions are in italics
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
The Basic Eight*
Brownie Smile Song
G For Generosity
Girl Scouts Together
Hello
Make New Friends
On My Honor
Sing Together
When Ere You Make A Promise
These eight songs
together express
key Girl Scout traits
and values.
1910s
Daisy, Daisy
Hark to the Chimes
Home on the Range
Taps
When Ere You Make a Promise*
White Coral Bells
5
1920s
Chairs to Mend
For Health and Strength
Great Tom is Cast
Hello*
Waddlee-Atcha
We’re All Together Again
7
1930s
Brownie Smile Song*
Our Chalet Song
Rise Up, O Flame
Sing Sing Together* (3 part Round)
Sarasponda
The Ash Grove (Down Yonder Green Valley)
This Land is Your Land
White Sand and Gray Sand (3 part round)
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1940s
Don Nobis Pacem
Girl Scouts Together*
Kookaburra
My Paddle/Canoe Song
Peace I Ask of thee O’ River/Peace of the River
Rose
12
1950s
Barges
Dona
Edelweiss
G For Generosity*
Have Fun
I Love the Mountains
Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
Music Alone Shall Live
14
1960s
500 Miles
Blowin’ in the Wind
Buddies & Pals
Girl Scout Spirit
I Know A Place
If I Had A Hammer
Kum Ba Ya
Linger
Moon on the Meadow
One Bottle Pop
Reach
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
17
1970s
Coast-to-Coast
Country Roads
Flicker of the Campfire
Hear the Lively Song
Jamie Boy
Little Canoe
22
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
On My Honor*
On The Loose
The Garden Song
1980s
A Ram Sam Sam
Alive Awake Alert Enthusiastic
Dum Da Dada
Oompa Grace
Turn the World Around
Weenie Man
26
1990s
40 Years on an Iceberg
Banjo Song
Black Socks
Boom Chicka Boom
Daisy on My Toe
I Can Make a Difference
Moose (Juice)
30
2000s
Cowgirl Grace
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
GS Beat
I am One Voice
No Bananas in The Sky (chant)
Say When
When I Was One/Pirate Song
33
2012 & Beyond
The WAGGS World Song
35
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1910s
Daisy, Daisy
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true
I'm half crazy over the love of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you’ll look sweet, upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two
Frequently sung second verse:
Harry, Harry here is your answer true:
I'm not crazy over the likes of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
You can't afford a carriage
And I'll be switched if I’ll be hitched
On a bicycle built for two!
Hark to the Chimes (Round)
1: Hark to the chimes, come bow your head.
2: We thank thee, Lord, for this good bread.
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.
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.
Taps
Day is done, Gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hill, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Song Snippet: Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield arranged the current tune for "Taps" at Harrison's Landing, Va.,
in July 1862. Girl Scouts & Guides use it to signal the end of the day’s activities (typically at a campfire).
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Taps, Cont’d
Girl Scouts also use the following verses as appropriate:
Daytime Taps
Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars, 'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.
Song Snippet: Daylight version approved by Lady Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide.
Appeared first in "The Guide" magazine, April 11, 1952.
Mariners Taps
Mariners we, Brave & Free
As the sun sets beyond sail and sea
Shipmates true, Loyal crew
We leave you.
Song Snippet: Sung by Mariner Girl Scouts.
Juliette Taps
On this day, We have come
From the North, From the South, East and West.
All your dreams Will live on,
Juliette.
Song Snippet: These words were composed by a Girl Scout Training Group at Macy Center.
When E’re You Make a Promise* (Round)
W.W. Sheild, 1828
1: When e’er you make a promise,
2: Consider well its importance
3: And when made
4: Engrave it upon your heart
White Coral Bells (Round)
1: White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk
2: Lily of the Valley grace my garden walk
Oh, don't you wish that you could hear them ring
That will happen only when the fairies sing.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1920s
Chairs to Mend (Round)
1: Chairs to mend, old chairs to mend,
2: Mackerel, fresh mackerel,
3: Any old rags, any old rags.
For Health and Strength (Grace, Round)
1:For health and strength 2: and daily bread,
3: We praise Thy name, O Lord.
Great Tom is Cast (Round)
1: Great Tom is 2: cast
And 3: Christ Church bells ring 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
And Tom comes last.
Hello*
(Each part hold their Hello until all 4 are done)
1:Hello, 2:Hello, 3:Hello, 4:Hello
All: We are glad to meet you
All: We are glad to greet you
1:Hello, 2:Hello, 3:Hello, 4:Hello
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Waddlee-Atcha (Action Song)
Waddle-ee-at-cha, waddle-ee-at-cha,
Doodle-ee-do, doodle-ee-do.
Waddle-ee-at-cha, waddle-ee-at-cha,
Doodle-ee-do, doodle-ee-do.
Simplest thing, there isn't much to it,
All you gotta do is doodle-ee-do it.
I like the rest, but the part I like the best goes
Doodle-ee, doodle-ee, doo!
Oh- (Repeat getting faster each time)
Actions:
a) Slap hands on thighs twice
b) Clap hands twice
c) Slice hand left over right (2x)
d) Slice right hand over left (2x)
e) Right hand touch nose, then left shoulder
f) Left hand touch nose, then right shoulder
g) ‘Talk’ hands at shoulder height
Action/song coordination:
(a) Waddle-ee- (b) at-cha, (c) waddle-ee- (d) at-cha,
(e) Doodle-ee- (f) do, (g) doodle-ee-do
Repeat for each two lines
We’re 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.
Who knows when we'll be all together again?
Singing all together again, we're here, we're here!
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1930s
BROWNIE SMILE SONG
Harriet F. Heywood, late 1920's
I've got something in my pocket that belongs across my face,
I keep it very close at hand in a most convenient place;
I'm sure you couldn't guess it if you guessed a long, long while;
So I'll take it out and put it on, it's a great big Brownie Smile.
Our Chalet Song
by Joseph Bovet, 1932; English words by Betty Askwith
High up, high on the mountain, we've founded Our Chalet,
High up, high on the mountain, we've founded Our Chalet,
Its sloping roof and wide shall shelter us without a care,
And each Girl Scout and Guide, shall find a welcome there.
High up, high on the mountain, we've founded Our Chalet.
High up, high on the mountain, we've founded Our Chalet.
And this, its dedication shall never fail nor be undone;
Each race, each creed, each nation, beneath its roof are one.
Song Snippet: The theme song for Our Chalet, the first of the World Centers, was
originally written in French and was first sung at the opening of Our Chalet.
Rise Up, O Flame (Round)
Tune, C. Praetorius, c.1600
1: Rise up O flame, 2: By thy light glowing.
3: Show to us beauty, 4: visions of joy.
For more ambitious round singers, have groups come in at . . .flame (Rise up O, Rise up
O, Rise up O etc).
Sing Sing Together* (Round)
1: Sing Sing together, merrily merrily sing,
2: Sing Sing together, merrily merrily sing,
3: Sing, Sing, Sing, Sing
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can do this as a 5 part round by adding in starts at “Merrily”.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Sarasponda (2-Part Song)
1: Sara-sponda, Sarasponda, Sara-sponda, Ret-set-set,
Sara-sponda, Sarasponda, Sara-sponda, Ret-set-set.
All: Ah - do - ray - oh! Ah - do - ray - boom - day - oh!
Ah - do - ray - boom - day - ret - set - set!
Aw - say - baw - say - oh. Hey!
2: boom-da boom-da boom-da boom-da etc.
All sing song through once, then1/2 group sings song, 1/2 group sing repeats boom-da;
all join in on Ahdorayoh . . .then switch.
Song Snippet: “Sarasponda” is a traditional Dutch spinning song, with the boom-das representing
the foot pedal of the spinning wheel, and the words representing the sounds of the wheel spinning.
A fun alternative set of words:
Voice 1: Chocolate cookie, chocolate cookie, chocolate cookie Yum, Yum Yum! (2x)
Voice 2: An Oreo! A chocolate oreo.
I love the creamy filling in my chocolate oreo. Hey!
Use ‘Coo-kie, Coo-kie’ in place of boom-das
The Ash Grove (Down Yonder Green Valley)
Down yonder, green valley, where streamlets meander,
When twilight is fading, I pensively rove.
Or at the bright noontide, in solitude wander
Amid the dark shades of the lonely Ash Grove.
'Tis there, where the blackbird is cheerfully singing,
Each warbler en-chants with his note from the tree.
Ah, then little think I of sorrow or sadness,
The Ash Grove, enchanting, spells beauty for me.
The Ash Grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking,
The harp thro' it playing has language for me.
Whenever the light, thro' its branches is breaking,
A host of kind faces is gazing on me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
Each step wakes a mem'ry as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden, it's leaves rustle o'er me,
The Ash Grove, the Ash Grove, a-lone is my home.
Song Snippet: “The Ash Grove” is a traditional Welsh folk tune, though the
current words date from the early 1800’s.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
This Land is Your Land
by Woodie Guthrie 1940/44
Chorus:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island,
From the redwood forest, to the Gulf Stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.
As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me the endless skyway,
I saw be-low me that golden valley,
This land was made for you and me. [Chorus]
I've roamed and rambled, and I followed my footsteps
To the spark-ling sands of her diamond deserts,
And all a-round me a voice was sounding,
This land was made for you and me. [Chorus]
White Sand and Gray Sand (Round)
1: White sand and 2: gray sand
3: Who will buy my 4: white sand?
Who will buy my gray sand?
Song Snippet: The sand referred to was used to dry the ink when folks used separate pen and ink.
White sand was new, so more expensive. Gray sand was used, so cheaper.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1940s
Canoe Song (Round)
Margaret Embers McGee 1918
1: My paddle's keen and bright,
2: flashing like silver,
Follow the wild goose flight, Dip, dip and swing.
Dip, dip and swing it back, flashing like silver,
Swift as the wild goose flies, Dip, dip and swing.
Dona Nobis Pacem (3 part canon)
1: Do - o - na, no - o - bis, pa - a - cem, pa - cem;
Do - o - o na - a, no - o - bis, pa - a - a - cem.
2: Do - na, no - o - bis, pa - cem,
Do - na, no - bis, pa - a - a - a - cem.
3: Do - na, no - o - bi - is, pa - cem,
Do - na, no - bis, pa - a - a - a - cem
All three parts are sung together. All sing the first ‘verse’, then group one goes on to ‘verse
2’, while groups 2 & 3 sing the first verse again. Then Group 1 goes to verse 3, group 2
does verse 2 and group 3 does verse 1. At this point sing it all through three times, each
time moving on to the next verse (from 3 go to 1 again) so every group has sung every
verse. The first verse should end up being sung 5 times.
Song Snippet: ―Dona Nobis Pacem (Dough-Na No-Bees Pa-Chem) is a traditional round, with Latin words
meaning “Give us Peace.”
Girl Scouts Together*
Gladys Goff, 1941
Girl Scouts together, that is our song,
Winding the old trails, rocky and long.
Learning our motto, living our creed,
Girl Scouts together in every good deed.
Girl Scouts together, happy are we;
Friendly to neighbors far o'er the sea.
Faithful to country, loyal to home,
Known as true Girl Scouts wherever we roam.
Song Snippet: “Girl Scouts Together” received only an honorable mention in the 1941 Girl Scout
National Song Contest, but it has outlived its rivals and remains a favorite worldwide to this day.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Kookaburra
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry, merry king of the bush is he;
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
How gay your life must be.
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Eating all the gumdrops he can see;
Stop, Kookaburra, stop, Kookaburra,
Leave some there for me.
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Counting all the monkeys he can see;
Stop, Kookaburra, stop, Kookaburra,
Don’t you dare count me.
Make New Friends (Round)
1: Make new friends 2: but keep the old
One is silver and the other gold
Peace of the River
Glendora Gosling and Viola Wood
Peace, I ask of thee, O River, peace, peace, peace,
When I learn to live serenely, cares will cease.
From the hills I gather courage, visions of the day to be,
Strength to lead & faith to follow, all are given unto me
Peace, I ask of thee, O River, peace, peace, peace.
Song Snippet: “Peace” was written during leader training aboard a river boat on the Kentucky River.
Rose (Round)
1: Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose,
2: Will I ever see thee wed?
3: I will marry at thy will, sire,
At thy will.
Song Snippet: Enormous variations abound for the lyrics and origins of this favorite round. It is thought to be
English in origin and is frequently sung with Hey Ho and Ah Poor Bird.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1950s
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
Chorus:
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
I can see those barges dead ahead [Chorus]
Song Snippet: “Barges” has been a Girl Scout favorite for at least 50 years. Legend tells that it was written by
a sick girl, looking out of her window to see the barges on the river below.
DONA
On a wagon bound for market,
There's a calf with a mournful eye.
High above him there's a swallow,
Winging swiftly through the sky.
CHORUS:
How the winds are laughing.
They laugh with all their might.
Laugh and laugh the whole day through
And half the summer's night.
Dona, dona, dona, dona dona dona,
Dona, dona, dona do.
Dona, dona, dona, dona,
Dona, dona, dona do.
"Stop complaining" said the farmer,
"Who told you a calf to be?
Why don't you have wings to fly with?
Like the swallow so proud and free." CHORUS
Calves are easily bound and slaughtered,
Never knowing the reason why.
But whoever treasures freedom,
Like the swallow, has learned to fly. CHORUS
Song Snippet: Originally composed in Yiddish in 1940-41 for a Yiddish-language stage show in New York.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Edelweiss
Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me.
Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow, Bloom and grow forever!
Edelweiss, Edelweiss, Bless my homeland forever.
Song Snippet: Despite sounding like an Austrian folk song, Edelweiss was written in 1959 by Rodgers and
Hammerstein for their Broadway musical, “The Sound of Music.” The edelweiss is a small, white Alpine
flower found in Austria.
G For Generosity*
She wears a G for Generosity
She wears an I for her Integrity
She wears an R for Real Good Sportsmanship
She wears an L for Loyalty, for Loyalty
She wears an S for her Sincerity
She wears a C for Courtesy, for Courtesy
She wears an O-U-T for Outdoor Life, Outdoor Life
And that Girl Scout is ME!
Have Fun
Have fun, our motto is, Have fun, or you will miss
A life of happiness while you're young,
Remember have fun.
Have friends, believe in them, Have friends, receive from them
Good times until the end, while you're young,
Remember have friends.
Have love for all that's good, have love, it's understood,
You'll live the live you should, while you're young,
Remember have love.
Have faith in God above, Have faith in His great love,
You'll find the peace of doves, while you're young,
Remember have faith.
Have fun, our motto is, have fun or you will miss
A life of happiness, while you're young,
Remember have fun, Remember have fun.
This can be sung as a round, with the following groups coming in after “Have fun, our
motto is,
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
I Love the Mountains (optional round)
1: I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills,
2: I love the flowers, I love the daffodils;
I love the fireside when all the lights are low,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da.
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da.
Boom, boom, boom.
Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alle-lu-ia,
Michael, row the boat a-shore, Alle-lu-u-ia.
Sister, help to trim the sail, Alle-lu-ia,
Sister, help to trim the sail, Alle-lu-ia.
Jordan's river is chilly and cold, Alle-lu-ia
Chills the body but not the soul, Alle-lu-ia.
Jordan's river is deep and wide, Alle-lu-ia,
Milk and honey on the other side, Alle-lu-ia.
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alle-lu-ia,
Michael, row the boat a-shore, Alle-lu-ia.
Song Snippet: "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" is a rowing song first mentioned in 1863 as a song sung by
black slaves in the Georgia Sea Islands. Michael in this case is the Archangel Michael, who is being called
on to help when the rowing was tough.
Music Alone Shall Live (Round)
1: All things shall perish from under the sky.
2: Music alone shall live,
3: music alone shall live,
Music alone shall live, never to die.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1960s
500 Miles
If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone.
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.
A hundred miles, A hundred miles,
A hundred miles, A hundred miles,
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.
Lord, I'm one, Lord I'm two, Lord, I'm three, Lord I'm four,
Lord I'm five hundred miles away from home.
Away from home, away from home,
Away from home, away from home,
Lord, I'm five hundred miles away from home.
Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name.
Lord, I can't go back home this-a-way.
This-a-way, this-a-way, this-a-way, this-a-way,
Lord, I can't go back home this-a-way.
Repeat first verse
Blowin’ in the Wind
Bob Dylan, 1962
How many roads must a man walk down,
Before you can call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must the cannon balls 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 years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can 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 ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died? CHORUS X2
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Buddies & Pals (2 part song)
You and me we’re gonna be partners,
You and me we’re gonna be pals,
You and me we’re gonna be partners,
Buddies and pals, buddies and pals.
Each part sings the same words using complementary tunes.
Girl Scout Spirit (Action Song)
I've got that Girl Scout spirit up in my head,
Up in my head, up in my head,
I've got that Girl Scout spirit up in my head,
up in my head to stay (cha, cha, cha!)
Repeat verse with: I've got that GS spirit:
2: deep in my heart;
3: down in my knees,
4: all over me;
5: Head, heart, knees, all-over, all-over
Actions:
Head – hands on head
Heart – place hands over heart
Knees – hands on knees
All Over – “wash” hands from top to bottom
I Know A Place
I know a place where no one ever goes,
There’s peace and quiet, beauty and repose.
It's hidden in a valley beside a mountain stream
And lying there beside the stream I find that I can dream.
Only of things of beauty to the eye,
Snow-peaked mountains towering to the sky,
Now I know that God has made this world for me.
One can imagine herself as in a dream,
Climbing a mountain or down a small ravine.
The beauty of this peace and quiet always shall stay,
To make this place a haven for each and every day.
Oh, how I wish I never had to leave,
And all my life such beauty to receive.
Now I know that God has made this world for me.
Song Snippet: Often sung with Flicker of the Campfire
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
If I Had A Hammer
If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening, all over this land.;
I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land. Ooooo
If I had a bell, I'd ring it in the morning
I'd ring it in the evening, all over this land.
I'd ring out danger, I'd ring out a warning,
I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land. Ooooo
If I had a song, I'd sing it in the morning,
I'd sing it in the evening, all over this land;
I'd sing out danger, I'd sing out a warning,
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land. Ooooo
Well I’ve got a hammer and I’ve got a be-ell,
And I’ve got a song. to. sing. all over this land;
It's the hammer of justice, it's the bell of freedom,
It's the song about the love between my brothers & my sisters
All over this land. Ooooo
Kum Ba Ya
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah,
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah,
Kum ba yah, my Lord, Kum ba yah,
Oh, Lord, Kum ba yah
2.) Someone's cryin' Lord
3.) Someone's singin' Lord,
4.) Someone's prayin' Lord
4.) Someone's laughin' Lord
Song Snippet: "Kumbayah", “come by here” in the Gullah Creole dialect is a spiritual from the 1930s.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Linger
MMM, I want to linger, MMM, a little longer,
MMM, a little longer here with you.
MMM, it's such a lovely night, MMM it doesn't seem quite right
MMM, that this should be our last with you.
MMM, when comes September, MMM, we will remember,
MMM, our camping (scouting) days and friendships true.
MMM, and as the years go by, MMM, we'll think of you and sigh,
MMM, this is goodnight and not good-bye.
MMM, I want to linger, MMM, a little longer,
MMM, a little longer here with you.
Song Snippet: Traditionally sung at the last campfire of Resident Camp.
Moon on the Meadow
Moon on the meadow, bugs in our ears,
Smoke in our eyes, wet wood and tears;
On up the meadow, water somewhere,
We were the only ones there.
Wild Horse to Slushie, Dry Lakes to Peaks,
Finding a love that everyone seeks;
Hiking through rainbows, sunsets and stars,
Just finding out who we are.
We will return here some lucky day,
Our hearts will guide us, they know the way.
People in cities don't understand,
Falling in love with the land.
Moon on the meadow, bugs in our ears,
Smoke in our eyes, wet wood and tears;
On up the meadow, water somewhere,
With you, my friend, I am there.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
One Bottle Pop (Three part song)
1: One bottle of pop, two bottles of pop,
Three bottles of pop, four bottles of pop,
Five bottles of pop, six bottles of pop,
Seven, seven bottles of pop.
2: Don't put your muck in my dustpan,
My dustpan, my dustpan,
Don't put your muck in my dustpan,
My dustpan's full.
3: Fish and chips and vinegar, vinegar, vinegar,
Fish and chips & vinegar,
Pepper, pepper, pepper, pot.
All three parts are sung together. Each group starts on a different verse and sings all three.
Example: group 2 would start with “Dustpan, then do Fish, then finish with Bottle of pop.
Reach
Reach up to the sky and, open up your eyes, and
Let your troubles fade a-wa-a-a-ay;
Dream your dreams today and, melt your cares away and,
Open up your heart and sing.
Live each day for every day, the old one's gone,
So don't let this one slip away, just
Reach up to the sky and, open up your eyes and,
Open up your heart and sing.
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
Pete Seeger,1955; Joe Hickerson,1960
Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone,
Gone to young girls everyone,
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
(Follow above pattern with following verses)
Young girls to young men... Young men to soldiers...
Soldiers to graveyards... Graveyards to flowers...
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1970s
Coast-to-Coast
From east to west, Camp _________ is the best.
From coast to coast, Camp _________ is the most.
From tree to tree, Camp _________ is for me.
From state to state, Camp _________ is real great.
From lake to hill, Camp _________ is a thrill.
From biffy to biffy, Camp _________ is real spiffy.
From day to night, Camp _________ is all right.
From staff to staff, Camp _________ is a laugh.
Troop _____ can be substituted for Camp _____.
Country Roads
John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff, 1971
Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River;
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, growing 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 memories gather round her,
Miners lady, stranger to blue water;
Dark and dusty, painted on the skies,
Misty taste of moonlight, teardrops in her eyes. CHORUS
I hear her voice in the morning hours, she calls me,
Radio reminds me of my home far away;
And driving down the road, I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday. CHORUS
Flicker of the Campfire
Flicker of the campfire, wind in the pines,
Stars in the heavens, a moon that shines.
A place where people gather, meeting friends of all kinds,
A place where Old-Man Trouble is always left be-hind.
So give me the light of a campfire, warm and bright,
And give me some friends to sing with, I'll be here all night.
For love is for those who find it, I've found mine right here,
Just you and me and the campfire, And the songs we love to hear,
Da da, da da, da da da da da da da da...
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Garden Song
David Mallett, 1975
CHORUS:
Inch by inch, row by row,
Gonna make this garden grow,
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
And a piece of fertile ground.
Inch by inch, row by row,
Someone bless the seeds I sow,
Someone warm them from be-low
Till the rains come tumblin' down.
Pulling weeds and picking stones,
Man is made of dreams and bones.
Feel the need to grow my own,
'Cause the time is close at hand.
Grain for grain, sun and rain,
Find my way in nature's chain,
To my body and my brain,
To the music from the land. CHORUS
Hear the Lively Song (Round)
1: Hear the lively song of the 2: frogs in yonder pond,
Krik, Krik, Krikety-Krik, Brrr-r-r - rum!
Jamie Boy
CHORUS:
Jamie boy, Jamie boy, I see you walkin' by the water,
The water, the shining blue water.
My Jamie boy, Jamie boy, I see you walkin' all alone,
Why are you walkin' all alone?
Some-body should be walkin' with Jamie boy,
Should be talkin' with Jamie boy, somebody I know...
Doo ba, doo ba, doo ba, doo ba CHORUS
Can't you see who is eager to walk with you,
And is eager to talk with you, somebody you know...
Doo ba, doo ba, doo ba, doo ba CHORUS
It is I who is eager to walk with you,
And is eager to talk with you, I love you so...
Doo ba, doo ba, doo ba, doo ba CHORUS
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Little Canoe (Action Song)
A boy and a girl in a little canoe
(mark the ends of a canoe with your hands)
With the moon shining all around
(flat hand forward, little circles)
As he dipped his paddle, pee-addle,
(paddle)
You couldn't even hear a sound
(hand to ear)
They talked & they talked ‘til the moon grew dim
(talk hands, then one hand sweep from up to flat)
He said “you better kiss me or get out and swim”
(touch lips, then point)
Watcha gonna do in a little canoe
(mark canoe ends)
With the moon shining all a (flat hand forward, little circles)
Boats floatin' all a (wiggle fingers across in front)
Boys swimmin' all around –
(swimming arm motions)
Oh Yeah? (spoken slyly, with raised eyebrow)
On My Honor*
CHORUS:
On my honor I will try
There's a duty to be done and I say "Aye”
There's a reason here and a reason above,
My honor is to try and my duty is love.
People don't need to know my name,
If I've done any harm, then I'm to blame.
If I've helped another, then I've helped me
If I've opened up my eyes to see. CHORUS
I've tucked away a song or two,
If you're feeling low, there's one for you;
If you need a friend, then I will come,
And there's many more where I come from. CHORUS
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
On The Loose
CHORUS:
On the loose to climb a mountain,
On the loose where I am free;
On the loose to live my life
The way I think my life should be.
For I've only got a moment
And the whole world yet to see.
I'll be looking for to-morrow on the loose.
Have you ever seen the sunrise turn the sky completely red?
Have you slept beneath the moon and stars,
A pine bough for your head?
Do you sit & talk with friends, though a word is never said?
Then you're just like me 'n you've been on the loose. CHORUS
There's a trail that I'll be hiking, just to see where it might go,
Many places yet to visit, many people yet to know;
For in following my dreams, I will live and I will grow.
On a trail that's waiting out there on the loose. CHORUS
So in search of love & laughter, I'll be traveling cross this land
Never sure of where I'm going, for I haven't any plan;
So in time when you are ready, come & join me, take my hand
And together we'll share life out on the loose. CHORUS
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1980s
A Ram Sam Sam (2 Part Song)
1: A-ram-sam-sam, A-ram-sam-sam,
Goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, ram-sam-sam.
A-ram-sam-sam, A-ram-sam-sam,
Goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, ram-sam-sam.
2: A ra-fi, a ra-fi, Goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie ram-sam-sam.
A ra-fi, a ra-fi, Goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie, goolie ram-sam-sam.
Actions:
(A)-ram-sam-sam: Pound one fist on the other on ‘-ram-sam-sam’,
swap on-top hand with each.
Goolie, goolie: roll hands over each other in front of you
A ra-fi, a ra-fi: Throw hands up in air
Song Snippet: A Ram Sam Sam is a traditional Moroccan round, sung by Girl Scouts for decades.
Alive Awake Alert Enthusiastic
I'm alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic,
I'm alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic,
I'm alive, awake, alert, I'm alert, awake, alive,
I'm alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic.
Dum Da Dada (Action Song)
Dum dum da da,
Da dum dum da da,
Da dum dum da da da da
(repeat whole 2x)
Spoken: 2, 3, 4
Actions:
1. Slap Knees (2x), opp. shoulder - tap twice Slap Knees (2x), other shoulder - tap twice
2. Slap knees once, opp. shoulder tap, knees, other shoulder tap; Slap knees once, crossknee slap, straight knee slap, snap fingers
3. (Left Arm Out) Tap L wrist, L shoulder, cross arms, Right arm out;
Reverse: Tap R wrist, R shoulder, cross arms, Left arm out.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
On My Honor*
Cindy Dash, 1981
CHORUS:
On my honor I will try
There's a duty to be done and I say "Aye”
There's a reason here and a reason above,
My honor is to try and my duty is love.
People don't need to know my name,
If I've done any harm, then I'm to blame.
If I've helped another, then I've helped me
If I've opened up my eyes to see. CHORUS
I've tucked away a song or two,
If you're feeling low, there's one for you;
If you need a friend, then I will come,
And there's many more where I come from. CHORUS
Song Snippet: Sung by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world
Oompa Grace
(Stamp, clap)
Thank you Lord for giving us food,
Thank you Lord for giving us food,
Thank you Lord for giving us food,
Right where we stand.
(Turn in circles, wave hands in air)
Oompa, oompa, oom pa pa,
Oompa, oompa, oom pa pa,
Oompa, oompa, oom pa pa,
Right where we stand... Let's eat!
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Turn the World Around
We come from the mountains (make a peak with your hands)
We come from the mountains (make a peak with your hands)
Go back to the mountains (take your thumbs, and point backwards, then make peak)
And turn the world around (roll your hands in a circle)
Chorus:
We come (fingers to chest)
From the mountains (make peak)
Go back to the mountains (take your thumbs, and point backwards, then make peak)
And turn the world around. (roll your hands in a circle)
We come from the fire (Hold hands in front of you, palm facing you and wiggle fingers)
We come from the fire (same action)
Go back to the fire (thumbs point back, make "fire" action)
And turn the world around (roll your hands in a circle)
Chorus: replace “fire” & fire hand motion for “mountains”
We come from the water (take right hand and make a water wave with it)
We come from the water (same actions as before)
Go back to the water (thumbs point back, make wave action)
And turn the world around (roll your hands in a circle)
Chorus: replace “water” & water hand motion for “mountains”
We come from the sky (lift hands to sky)
We come from the sky (lift hands to sky)
Go back to the sky (thumbs point back, make "sky" action)
And turn the world around (roll your hands in a circle)
Chorus: replace “sky” & sky hand motion for “mountains”
We come from the mountains (make a peak with your hands)
We come from the fire (Hold hands in front of you, palm facing you and wiggle fingers)
Go back to the sky (thumbs point back, make "sky" action)
And turn the world around (roll your hands in a circle)
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Weenie Man
I know a weenie man
He owns a weenie stand
He sells most anything from hot dogs on down down down down
(hand level starts at head level than lower with each ‘down’)
One day I'll join his life
I'll be his weenie wife
Hot dog! (thumb up arm swing across body) I love that weenie man!
I married the weenie man
We moved to Weenie Land
We had two weenie kids who blew up the cat, POP!
They went to weenie jail
We paid a weenie bail
Hot dog! Those weenie kids are bad!
Spoken:
Break it down now A Weenie weenie weenie on a bun bun bun with mustard sauce
(arms swing out and around with fists closed at once around on weenies, once around on
buns, and staccato on mustard sauce)
A Weenie weenie weenie on a bun bun bun with ketchup too
(repeat motions above)
A Weenie weenie weenie on a bun bun bun with lots of relish
(repeat motions above)
A Weenie weenie weenie on a bun bun bun for me and you, whoo!
(repeat motions above, throw hands up for Whee)
Song Snippet: Tune is an old song called "My Girl's a Corker" from the late 19th century.
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
1990s
40 Years on an Iceberg (Action Song)
Forty years on an iceberg (make triangle ‘iceberg’ with hands)
Over the ocean wide (wave motion)
Nothing to wear but jammies, (hands on shoulders, then on knees)
Nothing to do but slide – Whee!
(Sliding on ice pose, one hand forward, one back)
The air was cold and frosty, (shiver, arms around body)
The frost began to bite (gently pinch neighbors)
I had to hug a polar bear (hug neighbors)
To keep me warm at night! OH!
Repeat, each time dropping the words to a line but keeping the motions while humming.
Always say “Whee!”, even when humming.
Banjo Song
I used to play on my banjo
But my banjo got broke.
I took it to the mender's shop
But the mender's shop was shut.
I took it to another mender
To see what they could do.
And now the strings on my banjo
Are just as good as new.
For the second verse, you put le-le in every other syllable (or ly-ly or loo-loo, according to
the vowel) - two le's, except extra at the end of even-numbered lines. So the second verse
becomes:
I u-lu-lu-sed to pla-la-lay on my-ly-ly banje-le-lo
But my-ly-ly banje-le-lo got bro-lo-lo-lo-loke.
I too-lo-look it to-loo-loo the me-le-lender's sho-lo-lop
But the me-le-lender's sho-lo-lop was shu-lu-lu-lu-lut.
I too-lo-look it to-loo-loo ano-lo-lother me-le-lender
To see-le-lee what they-le-ley could do-loo-loo-loo-loo.
And now-low-low the stri-li-lings on my-ly-ly banje-le-lo
Are ju-lu-lust as goo-lo-lood as new-lew-lew-lew-lew.
Black Socks (2-part song)
Black socks, they never get dirty,
The longer you wear them, the blacker they get;
Someday, I think I will launder them,
But something keeps telling me, don't do it yet, not yet, not yet, not yet.
All together, then one group repeats "not yet" while other group sings verse, then switch
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
Boom Chicka Boom (Repeat Song)
I said boom chicka-boom!
I said boom chicka-boom!
I said boom-chicka-rocka-chicka-rocka-chicka-boom!
Uh huh!
Oh yeah!
One more time... _____________ style!
Fill-in the blank & then repeat with actions shown:
Underwater: fingers dribbling against your lips
Loud/Quiet: as loud/quiet as you can!
Slow Poke: as slow & drawn out as possible
Opera Style: opera voice
Tongue in Cheek: with tongue in cheek
Grandpa style: pull lips over teeth
Baby style: baby voice
Janitor style:
I said a Broom-Pusha-Broom, (push a broom)
I said a Broom-Pusha-Broom,
I said a Broom-pusha-mopa-pusha-mopa-pusha-broom.
Parent Style:
I said a boom go to your room (point finger forward, then point away)
I said a boom go to your room
I said a boom go to your room and don't come out 'til next June.
Teach 4-5 verses only; your pick.
End with “No more times!”” No more Styles!”
Daisy on My Toe
There is a daisy on my toe, it is not real, it does not grow.
It's just a ta-ttoo of a flower,
So I look pretty when taking a shower.
It's on the second toe of my left foot,
A stemless flower - it has no root.
Spoken: Why? 'Cause that wouldn't look very good!
There's a daisy on my toe,
My right foot loves my left foot so! (Kick heels together while making Kiss noise)
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
I Can Make a Difference
I can make a difference, yes I can;
I can be a friend and lend a hand.
I can make a choice to take a stand
And I can change the world!
Oh, you can make a difference, yes, it’s true;
You can choose the things you say and do;
You can help the earth and people too
And you can change the world!
Oh we can make a difference if we try;
We can work together, you and I;
We can do our part so by and by
We can change the world!
We can change it; yes, we can change it;
We can change the world! (Yes we can!)
Moose (Juice) (Repeat Song)
There was a great big moose....
Who liked to drink a lot juice....
(Repeat lines again)
CHORUS:
Singin’ o way o
Way o way o way o way o
Way o way o
Way o way o way o way o
The moose’s name was Fred.....
He liked to drink his juice in bed.....
(Repeat lines) CHORUS
He drank his juice with care.....
But he got some in his hair.....
(Repeat lines) CHORUS
Now he’s a sticky moose.....
A moose covered with juice..... (draw out)
On the loose…. (go/sing up on ‘loose’ & draw out even more than juice)
CHORUS
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
2000s
Cowgirl Grace
Been out on the trails all dusty and tired
Been riding and ropin’ all day
Now ‘round the chuck wagon we bow down our heads
And sing out the cowgirl’s grace.
Alleluia - Amen, Amen.
Alleluia - Amen, Amen.
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Billie Joe Armstrong/Green Day, 1997
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road,
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test and don’t ask why,
It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time.
CHORUS:
It’s something un-predictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good times.
Tattoos and memories and dead skin on trial.
For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while CHORUS 2X
GS Beat
(Clap to the rhythm)
We've got the beat
The Girl Scout Beat, it goes...
(To the beat of the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Knees, Knees, Clap, Clap, Snap, Snap, Clap.
Knees, Clap, Snap, Clap,
Knees, Snap, Clap
I am One Voice
Don Eaton, 1990
I am one voice and I am singing, (3x) I am not alone.
We are ten* voices, we are singing, (3x) We are not alone.
We are one hundred^ voices singing, (3x) We are not alone.
We are a thousand voices singing, (3x) We are not alone.
* Or use number of voices leading;
^ Use increases that make sense for the group
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Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
No Bananas in The Sky (chant)
There are NO bananas in the sky, in the sky
There are NO bananas in the sky, in the sky
There's a sun and moon and a coconut cream pie
But there are NO bananas in the sky, in the sky
Actions:
NO: sweep hands from crossed position at the chest outwards & away from the body
Bananas – in the Sky: hand brushes above right shoulder, then left shoulder
Sun: hand brushes at right shoulder
Moon: hand brushes at left shoulder
Coconut cream pie: flat hands make small circles at waist
Say When
Say when... will we ever meet again?
Say when... will we ever meet again?
Say when... will we ever meet again?
Say when, my friend, say when.
Say where... and I'll meet you right there (continue with where)
Say why... do we have to say goodbye? (continue with why)
Say when... will we ever meet again?
Say where... and I'll meet you right there,
Say why... do we have to say goodbye?
Say when, say where, say why.
When I Was One/Pirate Song (Action Song)
When I was one (hold up one finger)
I sucked my thumb (suck your thumb)
The day I went to sea, (make waves with a hand)
I climbed aboard a pirate ship (climb ladder)
And the Captain (salute) said to me:
"We're going this way, (two foot hop left), That way, (two foot hop right),
Forwards, (two foot hop forward), Backwards, (two foot hop back),
Over the Irish Sea, (wave motions with two hands)
A juicy plum (eating motion towards mouth)
to fill my tum (rub your belly)
And that's the life for me!"
Other Verses:
Two: tied my shoe (tie your shoe)
Three: scraped my knee (brush your knee)
Four: shut the door (shut an imaginary door)
Five: did the jive (do a little dance)
Six: picked up sticks (pick up sticks)
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Seven: went to heaven (point upward,
act 'angelic')
Eight: closed the gate (close gate)
Nine: stood in line (look impatient)
Ten: did it again (look exasperated)
Songs Sung by Girl Scouts Through the Decades
2012 & Beyond
The WAGGS World Song
Tune - Jean Sibelius, 1950; English words - Gavin Ewart, 1952
Our way is clear as we march on,
And see! Our flag on high,
Is never furled throughout the world,
For hope shall never die!
We must unite for what is right,
In friendship true and strong,
Until the earth,
In its rebirth,
Shall sing our song!
Shall sing our song!
All those who loved the true and good,
Whose promises were kept,
With humble mind, whose acts were kind,
whose honor never slept;
These were the free! And we must be,
Prepared like them to live,
To give to all,
Both great and small,
All we can give!
All we can give!
Song Snippet: The “World Song,” highlights the principles and spirit of the Girl Scout and Girl Guide
Movement. It was adopted in 1950 at the 13th World Conference in Oxford, England with the original in
French lyrics. The music was originally composed as a march for one of Finland's oldest Scout companies
and was adapted with the approval of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. This is much better known by Girl
Guides in other countries than here in the US, and we want it to be better known here, which is why it’s in the
‘future’.
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