Woodcraft Songs

WOODCRAFT SONGS

SONGS FOR ELFINS AND YOUNGER

WOODCRAFT SONGS

A baby sardine

Are you Mr Riley?

Back of the Bus

Bingo

Campfire’s burning

Chant

Come on all children (regional camp 1992)

Do your ears hang low?

Dorcas

Going to the zoo

I Know An Old Woman

Lazy Camper

Link your hands together

Little Green Frog

Long Time Ago

Michael Finnagen

Mighty song of Peace

Morning Town Ride

My baby bumble bee

My Hat it has 5 corners

Octopus’ garden

Puff the magic dragon

Red River Valley

She’ll be coming from Fermanagh when she comes.

Skin

Tango

The Envoi

The 12 Days of Woodcraft

Under the sea

What do I hear? (elephant song)

Who are these folk

William Brown

Worm Song

Yellow Submarine

Songs for Pioneers and older!

A Woodcraft Lass

Army dreamers

Big yellow Taxi

Blowing in the wind

Circle Game

Colours

Colours of the Wind

Down by the Riverside

Fernando

Going to the West

Hartlepool Monkey

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free,

I’m gonna be (500 Miles)

Imagine

Joe Hill

Just a Perfect Day

Last night I had the Strangest Dream

Moonshadow

Oh Danny Boy

One day

Poverty Knock

Scarborough Fair

Sloop john B

Streets of London

Sweet violets

The Boxer

The Cat Came Back

The Drums of Peace

The Hippopotamus Song

The Skye Boat Song

The Sound of Silence

The Titanic

The Tree Toad

Three Little Birds

Time of your Life

Tomorrow

Universal Soldier

Where have all the flowers gone?

Wild Rover

Willie Macbride

Wild Mountain Thyme

When I was single

Wonderwall

A baby sardine

A baby sardine saw its first submarine, she was scared and looked through the peephole.

Oh come, come, come said the sardine’s mum it’s only a tin full of people

Are you Mr Riley?

Are you Mr Riley who owns this Hotel? Are you Mr Riley they speak of so well?

For if your Mr Riley they speak of so highly, then blimey oh Riley you are doing well.

Chorus

Hold your row, what d’you say

For the friendship of woodcraft will not fade away

There was a young man and his name was Lord Jim, He complained that his wife threw tomatoes at him

Now tomatoes are soft they don’t injure the skin. But these ones they did, they were inside the tin.(Chorus)

One day I met a poor boy in the street, He was ever so hungry, no shoes on his feet.

As I has money, and money to spare I went to the fruit shop and bought him a pear.(chorus)

I called on my sweetheart, her name was Miss Brown, She was having a bath so she couldn’t come down.

She said she’d slip on something and be down in a tick, she slipped on the soap and she did come down quick.(Chorus)

One day I died and to heaven did go, and where do you come from they wanted to know.

When I told them from WOODCRAFT it made them all stare, come in said St Peter you’re the first one from there!(Chorus)

Back of the Bus

If you miss me at the back of the bus and you can’t find me nowhere

Come on over to the front of the bus I’ll be riding right there.

Chorus

I’ll be riding right there, I’ll be riding right there.

Come on over to the front of the bus I’ll be riding right there.

If you miss me in the Mississippi mud and you can’t find me nowhere

Come on over to the swimming pool I’ll be swimming right there(chorus)

If you miss me in the cotton fields and you can’t find me nowhere

Come on over to the courthouse I’ll be voting right there(chorus)

If you miss me on the picket line and you can’t find me nowhere

Come on over to the jailhouse I’ll be rooming up there.(chorus)

Repeat first verse

Bingo

There was a farmer had a dog and bingo was his name-o

B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O and bingo was his name-o

(repeat missing out a letter each time)

Campfire’s burning

Campfire’s burning, Campfire’s burning

Pile on timber, pile on timber

Flames are leaping, flames are leaping

And the townsfolk are sleeping

Chant

Oo a lay lay

A lay lay chic a tonga

A massa massa massa

Tango-o

Zimbada bada boodeeay

Unda a, unda ay

Oo ala pallooa pallooay

Come on all children (regional camp 1992)

Come on all children, let’s call each other, we are your sister we are your brother

We share one world, there won’t be another, let us finally make peace in this world

Let there be sunshine let there be flowers let there be thunder, let there be showers

Let there be stars in the darkest hours, let us finally make peace in this world

We are your sons and we are your daughters we are no fighters we are supporters

We’ll save your forests, protect your waters, Let us finally make peace in this world

Repeat first verse then the last line slowly

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 toss them over your shoulder like a regimental soldier? Do your ears hang low?

Do your ears stand out? Can you wave them all about? Can you point them east and west, can you point them north and south?

Can you pass the peanut butter with a flutter, flutter, flutter? Do your ears stand out?

Do your ears stand high? Do they reach up to the sky? Do the stand up when their wet, do they hang down when they’re dry?

Can you semaphore your neighbour with a minimum of labour? Do your ears stand high?

Do your ears glow red? Do they keep you warm in bed? Do they squash up all the mozzies as they fly around your head?
Are you frightened by their light when you wake up in the night? Do your ears glow red?

Dorcas

Dorcas ate some marmalade and Dorcas ate some jam

Dorcas ate some potted meat and Dorcas at some spam

Dorcas drank some lemonade and then some ginger beer

And then Dorcas wondered why Dorcas felt so queer

Whoops came the marmalade and whoops cam the jam

Whoops came the potted meat and whoops came the spam

Whoops came the lemonade and then the ginger beer

And then Dorcas knew why Dorcas felt so queer.

Going to the zoo

Daddy’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow, Daddy’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow

Daddy’s taking us to the zoo tomorrow, We can stay all day

Chorus We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo, how about you, you, you

You can come too, too, too, we’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo,

See the elephant with his long trunk swinging, great big ears and long trunk swinging

Sniffing up nuts with his long trunk swinging, we can stay all day. (chorus)

See all the monkeys scritch, scritch scratching, Jumping all around and scritch scritch scratching

Hanging by their long tails scritch, scritch scratching, we can stay all day.(chorus)

Well we stayed all day, we’re getting sleepy, sitting in the car getting sleep, sleep sleepy

Home already we’re sleep sleep sleepy, we have stayed all day.(chorus)

I Know An Old Woman

I know an old woman who swallowed a fly,

I don't know why she swallowed a fly,

Perhaps she'll die.

I know an old woman who swallowed a spider,

That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly

I don't know why she swallowed the fly,

Perhaps she'll die.

I know an old woman who swallowed a bird, how absurd! To swallow a bird…

I know an old woman who swallowed a cat, Imagine that! To swallow a cat…

I know an old woman who swallowed a dog, what a hog! To swallow a dog…

I know an old woman who swallowed a goat, just opened her throat and swallowed a goat…

I know an old woman who swallowed a cow; I don't know how she swallowed a cow…

I know an old woman who swallowed a horse; She’s dead—of course!

Lazy Camper

What shall we do with the lazy camper?

Tickle his feet with a bunch of thistles…

Put his feet in a bucket of water…

Make him wash up all the dishes…

Toss him up in a holey blanket…

Carry him out to the council circle…

Link your hands together

Link your hands together, A circle we’ll make

This bond of our friendship, no power can break

Let’s all sing together, In one merry throng

Should any be weary we’ll help them along

Should any be weary we’ll help them along.

Let us then laugh lightly, if sadness should fall

May joyous laughter spring form us all

Helping each other we’ll lighten our load

Arms linked with comrades, we’ll travel the road

Lets us march together, with firm step and strong

As out of the darkness we all go along

All sorrow is banished we’ll march to the light

Link your hands together we’re strong in our might

Little Green Frog

Gallumph went the little green frog last night, Gallumph went the little green frog last night

Gallumph went the little green frog last night, and his eyes went glumph, glumph, glumph.

Chorus

But…We all know frogs go lah di dah di dah, lah di dah di dah, lah di dah di dah,

We all know frogs go lah di dah di dah, they don’t go glumph, glumph, glumph.

Swim, swim went the Hamble mullet last night… and his tale went swim, swim, swim

Sting, sting went the bumble-bee last night… and his stinger went sting, sting, sting

Oink Oink went the big fat pig last night… and his snout went oink oink oink

Quack Quack went the rubber duck last night… and his beak went quack quack quack.

Long Time Ago

Long time ago a girl came along and no one wanted to know

But a man named Leslie Paul listened on and knew what he must do

A children’s group for boys and girls of any race and creed

Democracy will be its theme and the WOODCRAFT it will be

ChorusFriendship peace and democracy are the woodcraft aims today

To live in a world without barriers, and to camp and sing and play.

Boys and girls in groups they met with a leader as their friend

They learned to hike and enjoy themselves no marching songs for them

For wars they hated and believed that soldiers have no place

In a world where people live in peace despite their creed or race.

Michael Finnagen

There was an old man called Michael Finnagen, he grew whiskers on his chinnagen

The wind came along and blew them in again

Poor old Michael Finnagen Begin again

There was an old man called Michael Finnagen, He got drunk from drinking gin again

Thus he wasted all his tin again

Poor old Michael Finnagen begin again

There was an old man called Michael Finnagen, he kicked up an awful din again

Because they said he must not sin again

Poor old Michael Finnagen begin again,

There was an old man called Michael Finnagen, He grew fat and then grew thin again

Then he died and had to begin again Poor old Michael Finnagen begin again.

Mighty song of Peace

The mighty song of peace will soon be ringing, soon be ringing, soon be ringing

The mighty song of peace will soon be ringing all over this land

All over this land, this land, All over this land, this land

The mighty song of peace will soon be ringing all over this land

Unity…Justice…Friendship…Freedom…WOODCRAFT.

Morning Town Ride

Train whistle blowing, makes a sleepy noise Underneath the blankets go all the girls and boys

Chorus: Rockin’ rollin’ ridin’ Out along the bay All bound for morning town many miles away

Driver at the engine, fireman rings the bell, sandman swings the lantern to show that all is well

Maybe it is raining, where our train will ride, all the little travellers are warm and snug inside.

Somewhere there is sunshine, Somewhere there is day, Somewhere there is Morning Town, many miles away.

My baby bumble bee

I’m looking for my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m looking for my baby bumble bee…Oh there it is!

I’m playing with my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m playing with my baby bumble bee…Oh it stung me!

I’m squashing up my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m squashing up my baby bumble bee…Yuck what a mess!

I’m licking up my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m licking up my baby bumble bee…Ugh I feel sick!

(next page)

I’m puking up my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m puking up my baby bumble bee…Ah that’s better!

I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee, Won’t my mummy be surprised with me

I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee…Oh I’m so lonely!

My Hat it has 5 corners

My hat it has 5 corners, 5 corners has my hat

and had it not 5 corners, it would not be my hat

(repeat replacing words with actions)

Octopus’ garden

I'd like to be under the sea, In an octopus's garden in the shade

He'd let us in, knows where we've been, In his octopus's garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see, In an octopus's garden with me

I'd like to be under the sea, In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would be warm below the storm, In our little hideaway beneath the waves

Resting our head on the sea bed, In an octopus's garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around, because we know we can't be found

I'd like to be under the sea, In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about, The coral that lies beneath the waves

Oh what joy for every girl and boy, Knowing they're happy and they're safe

We would be so happy you and me, No one there to tell us what to do

I'd like to be under the sea, In an octopus's garden with you

Puff the magic dragon

Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mists in a land called Honalee

Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff, and brought him string and sealing wax and other fancy stuff.

Chorusx2

Puff the Magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mists in a land called Honalee

Together they would travel in a boat with billowed sail Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff’s gigantic tail

Noble kings and princes would bow when ere they came, Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name. chorus

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys, painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys

One grey night it happened Jackie Paper came no more. And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. chorus

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain. Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.

Without his lifelong friend Puff could not be brave. So Puff the magic dragon sadly crept into his cave. chorus

Red River Valley

From this valley you say you are going, we will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile

For they say you are taking the sunshine that has brightened our pathways awhile.

Chorus

Come and sit by my side if you love me, do not hasten to bid me adieu

Just remember the red river valley and the cowboy who loved you so true(next page)

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

Do you think of the valley you’re leaving, of how lonely and dreary it will be

Do you think of the kind hearts you’re breaking and the pain you are causing to me

They will bury me where you have wandered, near the hills where that daffodil grow

When you’re gone from the Red River Valley, for I can’t live without you I know.

She’ll be coming from Fermanagh when she comes.

She’ll be coming from Fermanagh when she comes (hip hop)

She’ll be coming from Fermanagh when she comes.

She’ll be coming from Fermanagh, coming from Fermanagh, coming from Fermanagh when she comes.

Chorus

Singing ay ay ippy ippy ay, Singing ay ay ippy ippy ay, singing ay ay ippy, ay ay ippy, ay ay ippy ippy ay.

She’ll be riding on two donkeys when she comes… clip clop