From junior high school through college, I spent my summers working, playing, and singing with the Boy Scouts at Slippery Falls Scout Ranch outside of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. I started out as a camper and ended 15 years later as the Camp Program Director. Of all my adventures at Slippery Falls, the parts I remember most fondly are the campfires and camp songs.
If you’ve never been, it’s hard to describe the importance of singing at camp. You sing in the morning, at meals in the dining hall, walking down the trails in the heat of the day and, of course, around the campfire. By the third day or so, even the most jaded 13 year old will be walking down the trail humming the tunes they heard the night before. Camp just wouldn’t be camp without the music.
There are many kinds of camp songs. Action songs build camaraderie by making everyone look foolish together. Epic songs seem to grow new verses each year like moss on a tree. Classic folk songs are woven into our shared memories and stick around because they always have. Melancholy songs stay with you at the end of the day, mingle with the sounds of the woods at night, and carry into your sleeping bag as you drift off to sleep.
Here, I’ve gathered together ten of my own personal favorites. Many are old friends, bringing to mind a specific day and time from my camping memories. Many are still reliable work horses. I’ll trot them out when I’m asked for a song at a family barbeque or sing-along. Still others have found a new home as bedtime lullabies for my two young boys.
Of course, everyone’s list will be different and there’s no shortage of songs to choose from. If you’d like to explore more, a couple of good places to start are ultimatecampresource.com or scoutsongs.com. Both have been invaluable in helping me track down many of the just-out-of-reach lyrics from my own fading memories.
Happy Singing!
GRAND OL’ DUKE OF YORK
GEE MOM, I WANNA GO HOME
DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?
THE CAT CAME BACK
VIVE L’AMOUR
RED RIVER VALLEY
MAGIC
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
THE PADDLE SONG/LAND OF THE SILVER BIRCH
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GRAND OL’ DUKE OF YORK
This is a great action song for opening a campfire – especially on the first night of camp. The young boys will likely already know the song and love it, the older boys will mumble and complain because they’re too old for this, and the adults will creak and groan because they’re really too old for this. But deep down, all of them will love it!
Here’s a Wiki entry explaining the song’s history. And here’s a YouTube video for the tune.
——-
The Grand ol’ Duke of York
He had ten thousand men
He marched them up the hill
And then he marched them down again
And when you’re up you’re up
And when you’re down you’re down
And when you’re only halfway up
You’re neither up nor down
(Stand up when you sing “up”
Sit when you sing “down”
And be halfway up for “halfway up”)
(Repeat three times, getting faster each time)
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GEE MOM, I WANNA GO HOME
Like many camp songs, this one is adapted from an old army tune, in this case from WWI. It’s also one of those epic songs that grow new verses like weeds. One of my favorite camp pastimes is to trade verses with other campers for songs like this one. At one time, I think I knew about 100.
Here’s a video of the army version with a few more verses to choose from.
—-
The girls at the teepee,
They say are mighty fine,
They’re either under seven,
Or over ninety-nine.
Chorus:
I don’t want no more of camping life,
Gee mom, I want to go, oh, mom, I want to go,
Gosh, mom, I want to go home.
The food at the teepee,
They say is mighty fine.
A roll fell off the table
and killed a friend of mine
(Chorus)
The t-shirts at the teepee
They say are mighty fine,
Me and my buddy can both fit into mine
(Chorus)
The watermelon at the teepee
They say is might fine,
the counselors get the red part
And we get all the rind
(Chorus)
The coffee at the teepee
They say is might fine,
It’s good for cuts and bruises
and tastes like iodine.
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DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?
This is one of my all time favorites – but I didn’t know about the last two verses until recently! Each verse also has hand gestures that make it even better, but they’re a little hard to describe. The wiki describes some of them, and here’s a video for the tune.
—–
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 o’er your shoulder
Like a Continental Soldier?
Do your ears hang low?
Do your ears reach high?
Do they stretch up to the sky?
Do they wrinkle when they’re wet?
Do they straighten when they’re dry?
Can you semaphore your neighbor
With a minimum of labor?
Do your ears reach 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 Crocket?
Do your ears fall off?
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THE CAT CAME BACK
Another favorite, and another with an endless count of verses. Some of them can be fairly graphic and tap directly into the ick-factor that every 12-year-old boy knows and loves. Here’s a wiki for some interesting background and a video for the classic melody – it’s got a kickin baseline. You also don’t want to miss the non-standard version by the muppets.
—
Old Mr. Johnson had troubles of his own.
He had a yellow cat that wouldn’t leave its home
He tried and he tried to give the cat away
He gave it to a man goin far, far away
Chorus:
But, the cat came back the very next day.
But the cat came back
It just wouldn’t stay away, away, away
Hey, Hey, Hey
The man around the corner said he’d kill
that cat on sight. He loaded up his gun with nails and
dynamite.
He waited and he waited for the cat to come around.
Ninety-seven pieces of that man were all they found.
(CHORUS)
He gave it to a boy with a dollar note
he told him to take it up the river in a boat.
They tied a rope around his neck
It must’ve weighed a pound
Now they drag the river for that boy who has
drowned…..
(CHORUS)
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VIVE L’AMOUR
This is a traditional song with origins lost in the mists of time. It’s another good opener for a campfire or any gathering. It actually can be quite beautiful if people are brave enough to go for the harmonies. Actually, after a drink or two (not at camp, of course) people always seem to find their inner crooner and you can get some pretty wild interpretations – or at least a good video.
Here’s an amazing video for the tune. The fellow sang all of the parts himself and overlaid them into a fantastic rendition.
—-
Let every good fellow, now join in our song,
Vive la compagnie!
Success to each other, and pass it along,
Vive la compagnie!
Chorus:
Vive la, vive la, Vive l’amour.
Vive la, vive la, Vive l’amour.
Vive l’amour, vive l’amour,
Vive la compagnie!!
A friend on your left, and a friend on your right,
Vive la compagnie!
In love and good fellowship, let us unite,
Vive la compagnie!
(Chorus)
Now wider and wider, our circle expands,
Vive la compagnie!
We’ll sing to our comrades, in far away lands
Vive la compagnie!
(Chorus)
With friends all around us, we’ll sing out our song
Vive la compagnie!
We’ll banish our troubles, it won’t take us long
Vive la compagnie!
(Chorus)
Should time or occasion, compel us to part
Vive la compagnie!
These days shall forever, enliven our heart
Vive la compagnie!
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RED RIVER VALLEY
This is one of my all time favorites. It’s a traditional cowboy song with many variations. My personal favorite is the arrangement by Arlo Guthrie that I’ve reproduced below. It also makes a great bedtime lullabye for my boys. We usually start our bedtime routine with at least the first two verses.
Here’s a wiki for some history. This fellow provides a great guitar version for the tune.
—
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 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
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
(Chorus)
Do you think of the valley you’re leaving
O how lonely and how dreary it will be
And do you think of the kind hearts you’re breaking
And the pain you are causing to me
(Chorus)
They will bury me where you have wandered
Near the hills where the daffodils grow
When you’re gone from the Red River Valley
For I can’t live without you I know
(Chorus)
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MAGIC
This one is a new favorite. I never sang it at camp, but I wish I had. It’s a beautiful song that I don’t yet know much about. I thought I’d share it here to remind myself and everyone else that campfire songs don’t end just because your camping days are over. I’ve heard it live, but I’ve only been able to find one video for the tune. A big thanks to the Rock Hill Girl Scouts for posting it.
—-
When I was young I thought the stars,
were made for wishing on
and every hole inside a tree
would hide a lepracoun
and houses all had secret rooms
if one could find the door
but who believes in magic, anymore?
Chorus:
Magic is the sun that makes
a ranibow out of rain
magic keeps the dream alive
to try and try again
Magic is the love that stays
when good friends have to leave
i do believe in magic
i believe
When i grew up
the grown ups said
one day id wake to find
that magic was a childish game
id have to leave behind
like clothes that would no longer fit
or toys that I’d ignore
I’d not believe in magic, anymore
Chorus
A child a friend a smile a song
the courage to stand tall
and loves the greatest magic
of them all
Chorus
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YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
Here’s another great campfire song turned lullabye. This is one that most people will know – at least the chorus. And they’ll be glad to hear the rest for a chance to learn. I often used this one near the end of the gathering to start slowing down the pace.
Here’s a wiki for some history and a great Jimmy Davis video for the tune.
—
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried.
Chorus:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
I’ll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me and love another,
You’ll regret it all some day:
(Chorus)
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between.
But not you’ve left me and love another;
You have shattered all of my dreams:
(Chorus)
In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
When I awake my poor heart pains.
So when you come back and make me happy
I’ll forgive you dear, I’ll take all the blame.
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THE PADDLE SONG/LAND OF THE SILVER BIRCH
This is a beautiful somber song to close a campfire. Actually, it’s two songs that can be combined in many different ways. The first one (The Paddle Song) works great as a three part round. It also makes for a perfect chorus for the second longer song, Land of the Silver Birch.
Both are Canadian folk songs as explained in the wiki. Here’s a video of an old timer delivering an inspired version of Land of The Silver Birch. Here’s a beautiful version that weaves the two songs together.
—
The Paddle Song
Our paddles keen and bright,
Flashing like silver;
Swift as the wild goose flight,
Dip, dip, and swing.
Dip, dip, and swing them back,
Flashing like silver;
Swift as the wild goose flight,
Dip, dip and swing.
Land of the Silver Birch
Land of the silver birch
Home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose
Wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom
High on a rocky ledge
I¹ll build my wigwam
Close to the water¹s edge
Silent and still
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom
My heart grows sick for thee
Here in the lowlands
I will return to thee hills of the north
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom
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PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
It’s always great to include a song that everyone knows and loves. They may not remember the words, but they’ll be grateful for being drawn back to their younger days, and the chance to learn the song again. This one is my favorite – and, by the way, another great lullabye.
Here’s a wiki for some history and, of course, the video is Peter, Paul, and Mary.
—
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Little jackie paper loved that rascal puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow wheneer they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name. oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
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.
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
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