Simple Gi!s

Song Book

We gather every Friday as a community to sing and dance. Our ceremony gives everyone (children, parents and staff) a positive sense of belonging through ritual, music and dance and is the heart and soul of our community. Thank you for joining us and please sing a long!

Sincerely,

Joe and Claire

Table of Contents

Simple Gifts! ! ! ! 2Buffalo Gal!! ! ! ! 3Birds They Sing! ! ! ! 3Paw-Paw Patch! ! ! ! 4Firefly! ! ! ! ! 4We Shall Overcome! ! ! 5Accentuate the Positive! ! 6Leaving Old Texas! ! ! 7Defying Gravity! ! ! ! 7Space is Dark! ! ! ! 8De Colores!! ! ! ! 9Walking in the Woods! ! ! 10Danger Down the Road! ! 11Paradise! ! ! ! ! 12Little Buddy! ! ! ! 13Follow the Drinking Gourd! ! 14My Dad the Bridge Tender! ! 15Las Mañanitas! ! ! ! 16Watch the Stars! ! ! ! 16Sixteen Tons! ! ! ! 17With My Own Two Hands! ! 18Froggy Went a Courtin!! ! 19

We’re Going to be Friends! ! 20Home on the Range! ! ! 21Chlorophyll!! ! ! ! 22Fishin’ Blues! ! ! ! 23Down in the Meadows! ! ! 24Sunset on the Sage! ! ! 25The Swing! ! ! ! ! 26

1

Simple Gifts Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, 1848, and later others added verses

Tis the gift to be simple,‘Tis the gift to be free,‘Tis the gift to come down where we want to be,And when we find ourselves in a place just right,We’ll be in the valley of love and delight.

(CHORUS)When true simplicity is gained,To bow and bend we will not be ashamed,To turn, to turn, will be our delight,And by turning, turning, we’ll come ‘round right.

‘Tis the gift to be gentle,‘Tis the gift to be fair,‘Tis the gift to wake and breathe the morning air,To walk every day in the path that we choose,‘Tis a gift we pray we may never, never lose.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

‘Tis the gift to be knowing,‘Tis the gift to be kind,‘Tis the gift to wait to hear another’s mind,That when we speak our feelings we might come out true,‘Tis the gift for me and the gift for you.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

‘Tis the gift to be loving,‘Tis the best gift of all,Like a warm spring rain bringing beauty when it falls,And as we use this gift we may come to believe,It is better to give than it is to receive.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

2

Buffalo GalCool White (John Hodges), 1844

As I was walking down the streetDown the street, down the streetA pretty little gal I chanced to meetAnd we danced by the light of the moon

(CHORUS)Buffalo gal won’t you come out tonightCome out tonight, come out tonightBuffalo gal won’t you come out tonightAnd we’ll dance by the light of the moon

I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockingsAnd her knees was a knockin’ and her toes was a rockin’I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockingAnd we danced by the light of the moon

(CHORUS)

Birds They SingJoe Bruno, Summer of 2000

Birds they singMake the bells to ringIt’s the dawning of the dayMorning sun shines oneveryoneAs we walk along on our wayha la la . . la la lala la la (X2)

3

Paw-Paw Patch Traditional

Where, oh where, oh where is little Susie?Where, oh where, oh where is little Susie?Where, oh where, oh where is little Susie?Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.

Come on, boys, and let’s go find her.Come on, boys, and let’s go find her.Come on, boys, and let’s go find her.Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.

(CHORUS)Picking up paw-paws; put ‘em in your pocket.Picking up paw-paws; put ‘em in your pocket.Picking up paw-paws; put ‘em in your pocket.Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.

Note: A paw-paw is a subtropical fruit (asiminia triloba). It grows on a small tree/shrub as a wild plant. The fruit are small, oblong to pear-shaped with the flavor resembling both apple and banana.

Firefly Joe Bruno and class, 3rd year spring camp out at Pedernales Falls 1998

The dipper’s hanging in the skyI can see it through the fireflies.The stars are pouring from the cupas my friends and I keep looking up –I wish I could be a firefly.

The moon is riding round the earth.The fireflies are giving birth.The light bursts out, I see the flameIt’s all a pattern in the game –I wish I could be a firefly.

4

We Shall OvercomeCharles Tindley, and later Guy Carawan, Candy Carawan, and others associated with the Highlander Research and Education Center, 1900

We shall overcomeWe shall overcomeWe shall overcomeSome dayFor deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcomeSome day

We’ll walk hand in handWe’ll walk hand in handWe’ll walk hand in handTodayFor deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcomeSome day

We will live in PeaceWe will live in PeaceWe will live in PeaceToday

For deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcomeSome day

We are not afraidWe are not afraidWe are not afraidTodayFor deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcomeSome day

The whole wide world aroundThe whole wide world aroundThe whole wide world aroundTodayFor deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcomeSome day

5

Accentuate the PositiveJohnny Mercer

You’ve got to accentuate the positiveEliminate the negativeLatch on to the affirmativeDon’t mess with Mister In-Between

You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximumBring gloom down to the minimumHave faith or pandemonium’sLiable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate my last remarkJonah in the whale, Noah in the darkWhat did they doWhen everything looked so dark

(CHORUS)Man, they said we gottaAccentuate the positiveEliminate the negativeLatch on to the affirmativeDon’t mess with Mister In-Between

You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximumBring gloom down to the minimumHave faith or pandemonium’sLiable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate my last remarkJonah in the whale, Noah in the darkWhat did they doWhen everything looked so dark

(CHORUS)

6

Leaving Old Texas (The Cowman’s Lament) Traditional

I’m bound to leave old Texas nowThey’ve got no use for the long-horn cowThey’ve plowed and fenced my cattle rangeAnd the people there are all so strange

I’ll take my horse, I’ll take my ropeAnd hi the trail upon a lopeSay adios to the AlamoAnd turn your head toward Mexico

Defying GravityJesse Winchester, 1972

We live on a big round ballI never do dream I may fallAnd even one day if I doI’ll jump off and smile back at your

I don’t even know where we areThey tell you we’re circling a starWell, I’ll take their word, I don’t knowBut I’m dizzy so it may be so

We’re riding a big round ballI never do dream I may fallAnd even one day if I doI’ll jump off and smile back at you

7

Space is Dark Joe Bruno and class, 1979

Space is dark there’s no gravityFloating around my friends and meThe planets are orbiting around the sunWhen we go to the moon we have so much funThe view from the moon is a sight to seeThe colors of earth are so prettyThe people down there I can hardly seeBut I hope that they are as happy as Me…..e…..e

La…..a…..aLa…..a…..aLa…..a…..a

Space is dark there’s no gravityFloating around my friends and meThe planets are orbiting around the sunWhen we go to the moon we have so much funThe view from the moon is a sight to seeThe colors of earth are so prettyThe people down there I can hardly seeBut I hope that they are as happy as Me…..e…..e

La…..a…..aLa…..a…..aLa…..a…..a

Space is dark, there’s no gravity

8

De ColoresTraditional

Spanish

De Colores,de Colores se visten los camposen la primavera.De Colores,de Colores son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.De Coloresde Colores es el arco iris que vemos lucir.

(CORO)Y por eso los grandes amoresde muchos colors me gustan a mi.(Cantar Dos Veces)

Canta el gallo,Canta el gallo con el kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri.

La gallina,la gallina con el cara cara cara cara cara.

Los pollitos,los pollitos con el pio pio pio pio pi.

(CORO)

English

De Colores, bright with colors the mountain and valleys, dress up in the springtime.De Colores, bright with colors all the little birds, fill the skies in the daytime.De Colores, bright with colors the rainbow brings joy with the glory of spring.

(CHORUS)And a bright love with colors has found us with peace all around us that makes our hearts sing. (sing twice)

Hear the rooster, hear the rooster singing with his kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri.

In the morning, in the morning the hen sings her cara cara cara cara cara.

All day singing,baby chicks all day sing pio pio pio pio pi.

(CHORUS)

9

Walking in the WoodsJoe Bruno, 1973

The sunrise ain’t so far awayI can see through the treesand hear the whisper of a larkfloating on the breeze.

There’s nothing like the break of dawnto make my soul feel goodI’m glad that I can see it allwalking through the woods.

The clouds they ain’t so far awayI can touch them with my heartand see them through a spider’s webas they slowly drift apart.

There’s nothing like a summer’s dayto make my soul feel goodI’m glad that I can see it allwalking through the woods.

The river ain’t so far awayIt’s flowing through our mindsand the lark he sings a song of lovecause he knows no other kind.

There’s nothing like a look at lifeto make my soul feel goodand I’m glad that I can see it allwalking through the woods.

10

Danger Down the RoadJoe Bruno, Summer of 2000

Danger down the roadDanger down the roadDanger down the road

We will find a way to protect our souls;We’ll find a way as we’re growing old.Every time they try to do us in,That is when the good times will begin.

Teach the children howTeach the children nowTeach the children how.

How to love the land –How to hold a handHow to take a standDon’t you know we can.

Danger down the roadDanger down the roadDanger down the road

11

ParadiseJohn Prine

When I was a child, my family would travelTo western Kentucky, where my parents were bornThere’s a backward old town that’s often rememberedSo many times that my memories are worn

(CHORUS)And daddy won’t you take me back to Mulenberg countyDown by the Green River, where Paradise layI’m sorry my son, but you’re too late as askin’Mr. Peabody’s coal train has hauled it away

Sometimes we’d travel right down to the Green RiverTo the abandoned old prison down by Avery HillWhere the air smelled like snakes, we’d shot with our pistolsBut empty pop bottles was all we could kill

(CHORUS)Then the coal company came, with the world’s largest shovelAnd they tortured the timber and stripped all the landThey dug for the coal till the land was forsakenThen they wrote it all down as the progress of man

(CHORUS)

When I die let my ashes flow down the Green RiverLet my soul roll on up to the Rochester damI’ll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin’Just five miles away from where I am

(CHORUS)

12

Little BuddyJoe Bruno

You’re my little buddy, flying ‘round the house.Zig and zagging up and down and landingRight on top of the couch.

You’re my little buddy, swimming in the pool.Hanging on to mama jumping up and downAnd feeling cool.

(CHORUS)Every time I see you makes me jump for joy.You’re my living jewel much better than a toy.Your feathers and your charm make you a colorful boy.YOU ARE MY ANGELO…

You’re my little buddy, swinging is your thing. I love to see you danceIt really makes me want to laugh and sing.

Hoo be doo be doo bopHoo be doo be da

Hoo be doo be doo bopHoo be doo be doo be da do

(CHORUS)

You’re my little buddy, flying ‘round the house.Zig and zagging up and down and landingRight on top of the couch.Zig and zagging up and down and landingRight on top of the couch.

13

Follow the Drinking GourdA Map and timetable for the underground Railway; Follow the Big Dipper; it points to the North Star- and freedom.

When the sun goes down and the first quail calls,Follow the drinking gourd.The old man is a-wait-in’ for to carry you to freedom,Follow the drinking gourd.

(CHORUS)Follow the drinking gourd,Follow the drinking gourd,Follow the drinking gourd,For the old man is a-wait-in’For to carry you to freedom,Follow the drinking gourd.

Now the river bank’ll make you a might good road,The dead trees will show you the way.Left foot, peg foot, traveling in onFollow the drinking gourd.

(CHORUS)

Now the river ends between two hills,Follow the drinking gourd,There’s another river on the other side,Follow the drinking gourd.

(CHORUS)

When the little river meets the great big riverFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedomFollow the drinking gourd.

(CHORUS)

14

My Dad the Bridge TenderJoe Bruno

My dad the bridge tender, is a mighty mighty manHe blows that horn and stop the trafficCycles, cars and vansLights a flashin’, children dashin’, stopping all those wheelsThe man up in the tower liftin’ 40 tons of steel

(CHORUS)Papa he’s a big manPeople come from miles aroundBoats they blow their air hornsDon’t you know their southern-bound

The snow birds cruise the coastal from Canada to MaineCruisin’ down the water way to see that man of fameThe bridge goes up the bridge goes downGuiseppe’s in controlThe barge is moving swiftly now she’s really on a roll

(CHORUS)

Pauline is his sweetheartThey’ve been married 50 yearsShe calls him every hourSweet music to his hearsLights a flashin’, children dashin’, stopping all those wheelsThe man up in the tower liftin’ 40 tons of steel

(CHORUS)

Lights a flashin’, children dashin’, stopping all those wheelsThe man up in the tower liftin’ 40 tons of steel

The man up in the tower liftin’ 40 tons of steel

15

Las MañanitasTraditional Mexican Birthday Song

Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey DavidHoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a tiDespierta mi bien despierta mira que ya amanecióYa los pajaritos cantan. La luna ya se metióQue linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarteVenimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte Ya viene amaneciendo Ya la luz del día nos dio Levántate de mañana. Mira que ya amaneció

Watch the StarsPentangle

Watch the stars, see how they runWatch the stars, see how they runYou know the stars run downto the setting of the sunWatch the stars, see how they run.

Watch the moon, see how it glowsWatch the moon, see how it glowsYou know the moon’s gonna glowWhen the sun goes downWatch the moon, see how it glows.

Watch the wind, see how it blowsWatch the wind, see how it blowsYou know the wind’s gonna blowWhen the sun goes downWatch the wind, see how it blows.

16

Sixteen TonsMade popular by Tennessee Ernie Ford, 1946

Some people say a man is made outta mudA poor man's made outta muscle and bloodMuscle and blood and skin and bonesA mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you getAnother day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shineI picked up my shovel and I walked to the mineI loaded sixteen tons of number nine coalAnd the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons, what do you getAnother day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company store

If you see me comin', better step asideA lotta men didn't, a lotta men diedOne fist of iron, the other of steelIf the right one don't a-get youThen the left one will

You load sixteen tons, what do you getAnother day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company store

17

With My Own Two HandsBen Harper

I can change the worldWith my own two handsMake it a better placeWith my own two hands

Make it a kinder placeWith my own two handsWith my ownWith my own two hands

I can make peace on earthWith my own two handsI can clean up the earthWith my own two hands

I can reach out to youWith my own two handsWith my ownWith my own two hands

I'm going to make it a brighter placeWith my own two hands

I'm going to make it a safer placeWith my own two hands

I'm going to help the human raceWith my own two handsWith my ownWith my own two hands

I can hold youWith my own two handsI can comfort youWith my own two hands

But you've got to useUse your own two handsUse your ownUse your own two hands

With our ownWith our own two handsWith my ownWith my own two hands

18

Froggy Went a Courtin’Unknown

Froggie went a courtin’ and he did ride, A-huh, A-huh,Froggie went a courtin’ and he did ride,Sword and pistol right by his side,A-huh, A-huh.

He rode right up to Miss Mouse’s door, A-huh, A-huh,He rode right up to Miss Mouse’s door, Where he had often been before,A-huh, A-huh.

He took Miss Mousy right on his knee,A-huh, A-huh,He took Miss Mousy right on his knee,Said “Miss Mousy will you marry me?”A-huh, A-huh.

“I’ll have to ask my uncle Rat,”A-huh, A-huh,“I’ll have to ask my uncle Rat,See what he will say to that,”A-huh, A-huh.

Uncle Rat laughed and shook his fat sides, A-huh, A-huh,Uncle Rat laughed and shook his fat sides,To think his niece would be a bride,

A-huh, A-huh.

Where will the wedding supper be,A-huh, A-huh,Where will the wedding supper be, Way down yonder in a hollow tree,A-huh, A-huh.

What will the wedding supper be,A-huh, A-huh,What will the wedding supper be, A fried mosquito and a roasted flea,A-huh, A-huh.

The first to come in were two little ants,A-huh, A-huh,The first to come in were two little ants, Fixin’ around to have a dance,A-huh, A-huh.

Next to come in was a bumble bee,A-huh, A-huh,Next to come in was a bumble bee, Bouncing a fiddle right on his knee,A-huh, A-huh.

The last one in was a big old snake, A-huh, A-huh,The last one in was a big old snake, Chased that party right into the lake,A-huh, A-huh.

19

We’re Going to be FriendsThe White Stripes

Fall is here, hear the yellBack to school, ring the bellBrand new shoes, walking bluesClimb the fence, books and pensI can tell that we are gonna' be friendsI can tell that we are gonna' be friends

Walk with me, Susie LeeThrough the park and by the treeWe will rest upon the groundAnd look at all the bugs we've foundSafely walk to school without a soundSafely walk to school without a sound

Here we are, no one elseWe walk to school all by ourselvesThere's dirt on our uniformsFrom chasing all the ants and wormsWe clean up and now it's time to learnWe clean up and now it's time to learn

Numbers letters learn to spellNouns and books and show and tellPlay time we will throw the ballBack to class, through the hallTeacher marks our height against the wallTeacher marks our height against the wall

And we don't notice any time passWe don't notice anythingWe sit side by side in every classTeacher thinks that I sound funnyBut she likes the way you sing

Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bedWhen silly thoughts go through my headOf the bugs and alphabetAnd when I wake tomorrow I'll betThat you and I will walk together again

I can tell that we are gonna' be friendsI can tell that we are gonna' be friends

20

Home on the RangeTraditional American Folk Song

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 zephyr’s so free, Where the breezes are balmy and light, I would not exchange my home on the range, For all the cities so bright

(CHORUS)

I love the wild flowers in the bright land of ours, I love the wild curlew’s shrill scream, The bluffs and white rocks and the antelope flocks, That graze on the mountain so green.

(CHORUS)

21

ChlorophyllJoe Bruno

Chlorophyll – the chemical that gives us food.Chlorophyll – it puts us in a happy mood.Chlorophyll – makes oxygen for the air.Chlorophyll – green colors everywhere.

(CHORUS)Photosynthesis, you know,always keeps us on the go.Changing sunlight, water, and the air,into everything we share.

Chlorophyll – the forest full of trees.Chlorophyll – it’s working in the leaves.Chlorophyll – makes pollen for the bees.Chlorophyll – it sometimes makes us sneeze.

(REPEAT FROM BEGINNING)

Fishin’ BluesWritten in Beaumont, TX

Betcha goin’ fishin’ all the timeBaby’s goin’ fishin’ tooBet your life that your lovin’ wife isGonna catch more fish than you.

(CHORUS)Many fish’ll bite if you got good baitHere’s a little something I would like to relateMany fish’ll bite if you got good baitI’m a goin’ fishin’, yes I’m a goin’ fishin’And my baby’s goin’ fishin’ too.

I went on down to my favorite fishin’ holeAnd I grabbed me a pole and a linePut my pole on in, caught a nine pound catfish, Took it home for suppertime.

22

(CHORUS)

Baby brothers ‘bout to run me outta my mindSayin’ can I go fishin’ with you? So I took him on down to the fishin’ holeAnd what’ya think that he did do?

He pulled a great big fish fromThe bottom of the pondHe laughed and he joked ‘cause he was Real gone.

(CHORUS)

Put ’em in the pot, put ’em in the panCook ’em ‘til it’s nice and brownThen you make a batch of buttermilk hoe cakes mamaChew them things and chomp ’em all down.

(CHORUS)

23

Down in the Meadows1930’s American Song

Down in the meadow, in an itty bitty poolSwam three little fishes, and the Mamma fish too“Swim,” said the Mamma fish, “Swim if you can,”And they swam, and they swam all over the dam.

(CHORUS)A boop boop diddum dadum wada-ma-chooA boop boop diddum dadum wada-ma-chooA boop boop diddum dadum wada-ma-chooAnd they swam, and they swam, all over the dam.

“Stop!” cried the Mamma fish, “or you’ll get lost!”But the three little fishies didn’t wanna be bossedThe three little fishies went out on a spreeAnd they swam, and they swam right out to the sea.

(CHORUS)

"Whee!" yelled the little fishies, "Here's a lot of fun We'll swim in the sea till the day is done"They swam and they swam, and it was a larkTill all of a sudden they saw a shark!

(CHORUS)

"Help!" cried the little fishies, "Gee! look at all the whales!" And quick as they could, they turned on their tailsAnd back to the pool in the meadow they swamAnd they swam and they swam back over the dam

24

Sunset on the SageCommander Cody

When the sun sets on the sageI’ll say, “How do you do?”That’s when cowboys go to sleep“Olee olee ay ee ooo.”

And the cattle they are lowin’ Going home to restSay “A-di-os”, when the sun setsOn the sage.

Fare thee well, oh fare thee wellI’ll say goodbye to youSupper’s waitin’ on the table“Olee olee ay ee ooo.”

And my pony he is waitin’ in the Dust for meSay “A-di-os” when the sun setsOn the sage.

The sky is all aglowThe shadows are fallingIt’s high time to goCan’t you hear the voices calling?

No more weepin’, no more tearsI want a smile from youWe’ll be parting for a while“Olee olee ay ee ooo.”

But our hearts will still rememberThat our love was trueSay “A-di-os”When the sun sets on the sage.

25

The SwingPoem by Robert Louis StevensonMusic by John Emery

How would you like to go up on a swingUp in the air so blue?Oh, I do think it’s the pleasantest thingEver a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall‘Til I can see so wideRivers and trees, cattle and allOver the countryside.

‘Til I look down on the garden greenDown on the roof so brownUp in the air I go flying againUp in the air and down!

How would you like to go up on a swingUp in the air so blue?Oh, I do think it’s the pleasantest thingEver a child can do!

La La La La La La La La La…

‘Til I look down on the garden greenDown on the roof so brownUp in the air I go flying againUp in the air and down!

How would you like to go up on a swingUp in the air so blue?Oh, I do think it’s the pleasantest thingEver a child can do!Oh, I do think it’s the pleasantest thingEver a child can do!

26