Kansas

The Kansas 4-H

Sa century
ONGBOOK
in the making

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station

and Cooperative Extension Service
 Singing at 4-H club meetings is a tradition that has lived since the early days of 4-H in Kansas. The
following is a compilation of traditional 4-H songs and songs that many of today’s youth are taught in school.

“4-H is a singing organization. Music has a place at every club meeting – local, county, state, and national.
It is a means of individual expression, yet also of group unity. It gives outlet to the joy of accomplishment,
creates enthusiasm for progress, and inspires friendship among all.”
From the Foreword of the 1954 National 4-H Club Song Book

Table of Contents
Activity Songs ......................................................................................................................................................3
Animal songs ......................................................................................................................................................6
Campfire Songs ....................................................................................................................................................8
Mealtime songs ..................................................................................................................................................13
Patriotic songs ...................................................................................................................................................14
Traditional songs ................................................................................................................................................17

Additional resources:
American Camping Association. Sing. Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association Inc.
Becky’s Campfire Songbook (http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/songbook/songbook _index.htm)
Bus Songs (www.bussongs.com)
Cooperative Extension Service Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia State College
cooperating. (1973). Virginia 4-H Sings. Delaware, OH: Cooperative Song Service.
James, Natalie. (1987-88). 1987-88 State 4-H Songbook: That 4-H Fever Catch It! Pond Creek, OK:
Cooperative Extension Service University of Oklahoma.
KIDiddles (www.kididdles.com)
Kid’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes Website Listings (http://www.linkopedia.com/Kids/ Songs _and_Nursery_
Rhymes/index.html)
National 4-H Songbook Committee. (1954). National 4-H Club Song Book. Chicago, IL: National 4-H
Service Committee, Inc.

2
 Activity Songs
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,
Knees and Toes.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,
Knees and Toes.
And Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,
Knees and Toes.

Action:
Touch each part of the body as it is sung. Speed up as you
repeat the verse, or hum through one word each time you repeat.
(Example: hmmm, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes)
Continue to point to each part of the body until the whole song is
hummed.

If You’re Happy If you’re happy and you know it, shout “4-H.”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, shout “4-H”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
surely show it. If you’re happy and you know it, shout “4-H”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will
surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.
surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet.

3
Boom Chick-a-Boom Suggested repeat styles:
I say a boom chick-a-boom (all repeat) ü Valley Girl style (Insert ‘like’ in front of boom;
I say a boom chick-a-boom (all repeat) say every sentence in question form)
I say a boom, chick-a-rocka, chick-a-rocka, chick-a- ü Janitor style (I say a broom sweep-a-broom; I say
boom (repeat) a broom sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-
Uh-huh (repeat) Oh yeah (repeat) a-broom)
One more time (repeat) ü Surfer style (Insert ‘dude’ at the end of each
phrase)
ü Race Car Driver style (I say a vrrroom chick-a-
vrrroom)

Singing in the Rain Elbows in! (Elbows in!)

Refrain: (Swaying) Refrain
I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. Knees bent! (Knees bent!)
What a glorious feeling, I’m ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch- Refrain
ch-ch-ch-ch-ch, hey! Knees together! (Knees together!)
Refrain
Actions: (Build on the actions, so at the end the Tush out! (Tush out!)
members are doing all actions at once.) Refrain
Arms out! (Arms out!) Head back! (Head back!)
Refrain Refrain
Thumbs up! (Thumbs up!) Tongue out! (Tongue out!)
Refrain Refrain

The Shark Song Shark attack! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times)

Baby shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Shark attack!
Baby shark! Lost a leg! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Lost
Mama shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) a leg!
Mama shark! Happy shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times)
Daddy shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Happy shark!
Daddy shark!
Grandma shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Actions:
Grandma shark! Open and close hands like the jaw of a shark. Begin
Grandpa shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) with just hands opening at wrists for ‘baby’, opening
Grandpa shark! at elbows for ‘mama’, open all the way for ‘daddy’.
Went for a swim! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Open at elbow with hands in fists for ‘grandma’,
For a swim! fold arms in front at elbows and open for ‘grandpa’.
Saw a shark! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times) Saw ‘Happy shark’ has dorsal fin in air and a smile!
a shark!
Swim real fast! Do-do-do-do-da-do! (repeat 2 times)
Swim real fast!

4
Alice the Camel
Alice the camel has five humps (repeat 2 times)
So, go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom!
Bonnie
Alice the camel has four humps (repeat 2 times)
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
So, go, Alice, go!
My Bonnie lies over the sea,
Boom, boom, boom!
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
So bring back my Bonnie to me.
Alice the camel has three humps (repeat 2 times)
Bring back, bring back, oh, bring back my Bonnie to
So, go, Alice, go!
me, to me.
Boom, boom, boom!
Bring back, bring back, oh, bring back my Bonnie to
me.
Alice the camel has two humps (repeat 2 times)
So, go, Alice, go!
Action:
Boom, boom, boom!
Members stand/sit each time they sing a word
beginning with the letter ‘B’.
Alice the camel has one hump (repeat 2 times)
So, go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has no humps (repeat 2 times)

‘Cause Alice is a horse!
Boom, boom, boom!
Banana Song
Actions:
Bananas unite! (All put hands together above head.)
Stand in a long line. Bump hips together on ‘Boom,
Bananas split! (Part hands, keeping above head.)
boom, boom!’.
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas. (Move right arm
down to side.)
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas. (Move left arm down
to side.)
You lean to the left, and you lean to the right.
You peel your banana, and, uh, take a bite.
Go bananas; go, go bananas. (Silly motions like
flailing arms about and jumping around.)
Go bananas; go, go bananas.

5
 Animal songs
The Bear Song
Leader: And then I see
The other day (everyone echoes every line) Ahead of me
I met a bear A great big tree
Out in the woods Oh, glory me
Away out there
And so I jumped
He looked at me Into the air
I looked at him But I missed that branch
He sized up me Away up there
I sized up him
Now don’t you fret
He said to me And don’t you frown
Why don’t you run I caught that branch
I see you ain’t On the way back down
Got any gun
That’s all there is
And so I ran There ain’t no more
Away from there Unless I see
But right behind me That bear once more
Was that bear

Little Green Frog

(X means close your eyes and scrunch your face, :P Honk! Honk! (make
means open your eyes and stick out your tongue.) horn motion) Went the
X, :P went the little green frog one day, big, bad truck one day.
X, :P went the little green frog. Split, splat (clap as you
X, :P went the little green frog one day, say split, splat) went
So we all went X, :P, Ah! the little green frog.
Well, the little green
Well, we all know froggies go, sha-la-la-la-la frog don’t X, :P no
Sha-la-la-la-la, sha-la-la-la-la (wave hands in the air) more,
‘cause he got licked (make licking noise instead of
Well, we all know froggies go, sha-la-la-la-la saying ‘licked’) up by a dog.
They don’t go X, :P, Ah!

Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts

Great green gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts,
Mutilated monkey’s meat,
Little birdies’ dirty feet,
Great green gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts,
And I forgot my spoon!

6
The Ants Go Marching Verses: (replace the number where underlined in
The ants go marching one by one. ascending fashion; replace the corresponding phrase
Hoorah! Hoorah! were underlined)
The ants go marching one by one.
Hoorah! Hoorah! 2. tie his shoe
The ants go marching one by one; 3. climb a tree
The little one stops to suck his thumb, 4. shut the door
And they all go marching down into the ground 5. take a dive
To get out of the rain. 6. pick up sticks
Boom, boom, boom, boom! 7. pray to heaven
8. to roller-skate
9. check the time
10. to shout “the end” (the song ends after ‘end’ is
sung or shouted)

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
I don’t know why she swallowed the fly, My what a hog, to swallow a dog.
Perhaps she’ll die. She swallowed the dog to catch the cat.
She swallowed the cat, to catch the bird,
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider, She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
that wiggled and wriggled and tickled inside her. that wiggled and wriggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t know why she swallowed the fly. I don’t know why she swallowed the fly.
Perhaps she’ll die. Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a bird. There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
How absurd to swallow a bird. I don’t know how she swallowed a cow.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider, She swallowed the cow to catch the dog.
that wiggled and wriggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the dog, to catch the cat.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.
I don’t know why she swallowed the fly. She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
Perhaps she’ll die. that wiggled and wriggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat. I don’t know why she swallowed the fly.
Imagine that, she swallowed a cat. Perhaps she’ll die.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider, I know an old lady who swallowed a horse...
that wiggled and wriggled and tickled inside her. She’s dead of course!!!
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. (Refer to Kansas 4-H Camp
I don’t know why she swallowed the fly. Songs CD)
Perhaps she’ll die.

7
 Campfire Songs
Do Your Ears Hang Low In a Little Canoe
Do your ears hang low, Just a boy and a girl in a little canoe
Do they wobble to and fro, With the moon shining all around.
Can you tie them in a knot, As he glides his paddle up and down,
Can you tie them in a bow, You can’t even hear a sound
Can you throw them over your shoulder And they talked and they talked
Like a continental soldier? ‘Til the moon grew dim
Do your ears hang low? And he said, “You better kiss me,
Or get out and swim.”
Do your ears hang high, So, what’re you going to do,
Do they reach up to the sky, In a little canoe,
Do they wrinkle when they’re wet, With the moon shining all a-
Do they straighten when they’re dry, With the boat swimming all a-
Can you wave them at your neighbor Girls swimming all around.
With an element of flavor?
Do your ears hang high?

Down by the Bay “Did you ever see a bear,

Chorus: Combing his hair,
Down by the bay, Down by the bay?”
Where the watermelons grow, Chorus
Back to my home,
I dare not go. “Did you ever see a bee,
For if I do, With a sunburned knee,
My mother will say, Down by the bay?”
Chorus

The Rooster We had a gas pump,

I had a hen, No gas would it give.
No eggs would she lay. We had a gas pump,
I had a hen, No gas would it give.
No eggs would she lay.
Then one day a rooster Then one day a rooster
Came in our yard, Came in our yard,
And caught that hen And caught that gas pump
Off her guard. Off its guard.
She’s layin’ eggs now, It’s givin’ Shell gas,
Just like she used to. Just like it used to.
She’s layin’ eggs now, It’s givin’ Shell gas,
Just like she used to. Just like it used to.
Ever since that rooster came by. When that rooster
Came in our yard.

8
 The Window I Want to Sing
Chorus: I want to sing, sing, sing,
The window, the window, I want to shout, shout, shout,
The second story window, I want to sing, I want to shout,
With a heave and a ho, Praise the Lord (Go 4-H)
And a mighty throw,
We threw it out the window. When the gates are open wide,
(When you ask me why I’ll say)
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, I want to stand by Jesus’ side
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, (I always stand up for 4-H)
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, I want to sing, I want to shout,
Threw him out the window. Praise the Lord. (Go 4-H)
Chorus

Jack and Jill went up the hill There was a Moose

To fetch a pail of water There was a great, big moose (repeat)
Jack fell down and broke his crown He drank a lot of juice (repeat)
And threw it out the window. There was a great, big moose (repeat)
Chorus And he drank a lot of juice (repeat)
(Continue with other nursery rhymes.) Oh, way, oh, way (repeat)

Chorus:
Er-er-uh-er-er-er (repeat)
The Pajamas Song Oh, a, oh aye (repeat)
We wear our silk pajamas Er-er-uh-er-er-er (repeat)
In the summer when its hot
We wear our woolen undies The moose’s name was Fred (repeat)
In the winter when its not He drank his juice in bed (repeat)
And sometimes in the springtime The moose’s name was Fred (repeat)
And sometimes in the fall And he drank his juice in bed (repeat)
We jump between the covers Chorus
With nothing on at all
He drank his juice with care (repeat)
Glory, glory, hallelujah, But he spilled it in his hair (repeat)
Glory, glory, what’s it to ‘ya, He drank his juice with care (repeat)
Glory, glory, hallelujah, But he spilled it in his hair (repeat)
With nothing on at all! Chorus

God Bless My Underwear Now he’s a sticky moose (repeat)

God bless my underwear, He’s a moose full of juice (repeat)
My only pair, Yeah, he’s a sticky moose (repeat)
Stand beside us, and guide us, He’s a moose full of juice (repeat)
Through the wash and the wear and the tear. Chorus
Through the washer, and the drier,
And the clothesline, back to me.
My only pair…
It’s Fruit of the Loom.

9
 Tom the Toad Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Your shell is flat, just like your head.
Why are you lying in the road? Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Your shell is flat, just like your head.
Why are you lying in the road? You moved too slow to save your life,
You did not see that car ahead We’ll scrape you up with a putty knife.
Now on your skull’s a tire tread. Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Oh, turtle Ted
Oh, Tom the toad Your shell is flat, just like your head.
Why are you lying in the road?

Oh, Sue the skunk M-I-L-K

Oh, Sue the skunk Chorus:
Why did you make my tires go, “Clunk”? Don’t give me no pop, no pop,
Oh, Sue the skunk Don’t give me no tea, no tea,
Oh, Sue the skunk Just give me that milk,
Why did you make my tires go, “Clunk”? Moo, moo, moo, moo,
You did not look from east to west, Wisconsin milk,
Now on the road, there’s such a mess. Moo, moo, moo, moo.
Oh, Sue the skunk
Oh, Sue the skunk Give me a long M (mmmmm)
Why did you make my tires go, “Clunk”? Give me a short m (m)
But…
Oh, Sam the snake Chorus
Oh, Sam the snake Continue with I, L, and K, and ‘milk’
Why do you lie out there and bake?
Oh, Sam the snake
Oh, Sam the snake Boom, boom
Why do you lie out there and bake? Chorus:
You did not see that truck go by Boom, boom ain’t it great to be crazy,
Now you look like a butterfly. Boom, boom ain’t it great to be crazy.
Oh, Sam the snake Giddy and foolish the whole day through.
Oh, Sam the snake Boom, boom ain’t it great to be crazy.
Why do you lie out there and bake?
Way down south, where bananas grow,
Oh, opossum Pete A flea stepped on an elephant’s toe.
Oh, opossum Pete The elephant cried, with tears in his eyes,
There’s nothing left but hair and feet. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?”
Oh, opossum Pete Chorus
Oh, opossum Pete
There’s nothing left but hair and feet. A horse, and a flea, and three white mice,
You thought you’d beat that bus across, Sat on the curbstone shooting dice,
Now you look like a pile of moss. The horse, he slipped and fell on the flea,
Oh, opossum Pete “Whoops,” said the flea,
Oh, opossum Pete “There’s a horse on me!”
There’s nothing left but hair and feet. Chorus

10
 Pop Little Skunk
One bottle of pop, (sung to the tune of ‘Dixie’)
Two bottles of pop, Well, I stuck my head in a little skunk hole,
Three bottles of pop, and the little skunk said,
Four bottles of pop, “Well bless my soul, take it out, take it!
Five bottles of pop, Take it out, remove it!”
Six bottles of pop,
Seven bottles of pop, Well, I didn’t take it out and the little skunk said,
Pop! “If you don’t take it out, you’ll wish you were dead!
Take it out, take it out, remove it!
Fish and chips and vinegar,
Vinegar, vinegar, Well, I didn’t take it out and the little skunk said,
Fish and chips and vinegar, Shhhhhhh!” (hold nose while singing) I removed it!
Pepper, pepper, pepper, salt. (Too late)

Don’t throw your trash in my backyard,

My backyard, my backyard,
Don’t throw your trash in my backyard,
My backyard’s full.

Assign three groups with a verse each to do a round.

Whooping Cough
Chorus:
Well, a way down yonder, not far off (repeat)
A blue jay died of a whooping cough (repeat)
Well, he whooped and he whooped and he whooped all
day (repeat)
He whooped his head and tail feathers away (repeat)
When I say ollie, you say oy!
Ollie (Oy)
Ollie (Oy)
Ollie, ollie, ollie (Oy, oy, oy)

Second verse, same as the first,

But a whole lot louder and a whole lot worse (do not
repeat)
Chorus

11
 The Billboard Song
One time I was out walking,
On a cold and dreary day.
I came upon some billboards, Soap and Towel
And much to my dismay, Soap, soap, soap and
The signs were torn and tattered, towel
From the storm the night before, Towel and water, please.
The wind and rain had done its work, Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
And this is what I saw: wash your dirty knees

Smoke CocaCola cigarettes, Head, heart, hands and health

Chew Wrigley’s Spearmint beer, These are things we pledge
Ken-L-Ration dog food keeps your complexion clear, Go for it, go for it, go for it, go for it
Simonize your baby with a Hershey’s candy bar, That’s the winning edge!
And PepsiCola beauty cream is used by every star.
Little Hunk of Tin
So, take your next vacation in a brand-new Frigidaire, I’m a little hunk of tin
Learn to play piano in your winter’s underwear, Nobody knows what shape I’m in
Doctors say that babies should smoke until they’re I’ve got four wheels and a running board
three, I’m not a Chevy and I’m not a Ford.
And people over 65 should bathe in Lipton tea.
(In flow-through teabags. Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, rattle, crash, beep, beep
(repeat)
Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, crash beep, beep
Honk, honk.

I’m a super 4-Her

Betcha don’t know what I can do
I’ve got four leaves and a motto, too.
I’ve got green blood running through and through
Head, head, heart, heart, hands, health (repeat two
times)
Head, head

)
12
 Mealtime Thanks Songs

Johnny Appleseed Be Present

Oh, the Lord is good to me, Be present at our table Lord
And so I thank the Lord, Be here and everywhere adored
For giving me the things I need, These mercies bless and grant that we
The sun and the rain and the apple seed, May strengthened for thy service be.
The Lord is good to me. Amen.

Superman For Health and Strength

Thank you Lord for giving us food For health and strength
Thank you Lord for giving us food And daily food
By His hands, we all are fed We praise thy name
Thank you Lord for giving us food O Lord.
Thank you Lord for giving us food
Praise God for Bread
God Our Father Morning (Noon-time or Evening) has come,
(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques) The board is spread,
Thanks be to Him who gives us bread.
God our Father Praise God for bread.
God our Father
Hark to the Chimes
Once again Hark to the chimes
Once again Come bow thy head
We thank thee, God
We do ask thy blessing For this good bread.
We do ask thy blessing
Evening Grace
Amen. (Sung to the tune of What Child is This)
Amen.
We thank you Lord at our evening meal,
For the blessings, friendships
and love we feel.
Oh guide our minds and
our hearts we pray,
Let us all make tomorrow a joyful day.

13
 Patriotic Songs

America
My country, ‘tis of Thee, Let music swell the breeze
Sweet land of liberty And ring from all the trees
Of thee I sing. Sweet freedom’s song.
Land where my fathers died, Let mortal tongues awake;
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride, Let all that breathe partake;
From every mountain side, Let rocks their silence break
Let Freedom ring! The sound prolong.

My native country Thee Our father’s God, to Thee,

Land of the noble free Author of Liberty,
Thy name I love, To Thee we sing.
I love thy rocks and rills, Long may our land be bright
Thy woods and templed hills; With freedom’s holy light;
My heart with rapture thrills Protect us by Thy might,
Like that above. Great God, our King.

America The Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies O beautiful for heroes prov’d
For amber waves of grain In liberating strife
For purple mountain majesties Who more than self their country loved,
Above the fruited plains And mercy more than life.
America! America! America! America!
God shed His grace on thee May God thy gold refine
And crown thy good with brotherhood Till all success be nobleness,
From sea to shining sea And ev’ry gain divine.

O beautiful for Pilgrim feet O beautiful for patriot dream

Whose stern, impassioned stress That sees beyond the year
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Thins alabaster cities gleam,
Across the wilderness Undimmed by human tears,
America! America! America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw, God she His grace on thee
Confirm thy soul in self-control, And crown thy good with brotherhood
Thy liberty in law. From sea to shining sea.

14
 Star Spangled Banner You’re A Grand Ole Flag
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, You’re a grand ole flag
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last You’re a high-flying flag
gleaming? And forever in peace may you wave.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, You’re the emblem of
Through the perilous fight, The land I love,
O’er the ramparts we watched The home of the free and the brave.
Were so gallantly streaming? Every heart beats true
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, ‘Neath the Red, White, and Blue
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still Where there’s never a boast nor brag.
there. But should auld acquaintance be forgot.
Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave Keep your eye on the Grand Ole Flag.
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

God Bless America

God bless American, Land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above,
From the mountain to the prairie,
To the ocean white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

Home on the Range

Chorus: How often at night, when the heavens are bright
Home, home on the range With the light from the glittering stars,
Where the deer and the antelope play Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word If their glory exceeds that of ours.
And the skies are not cloudy all day. Chorus

Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand Where the air is so pure, the zephyrs so free,
Flows leaisurely down the stream; The breezes so balmy and light,
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along That I would not exchange my home on the range
Like a maid in a heavenly dream. For all of the cities so bright.
Chorus Chorus

15
This Land
Chorus: I roamed and rambled; I followed by footsteps,
This land is your land, This land is my land, To the sparkling sands of the Silver Diamond Desert
From California to the New York Island,
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters, And all around me a voice was calling:
This land was made for you and me. This land was made for you and me.
Chorus
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me the endless skyway. The sun was shining as I was strolling,
I saw below me the golden valley, The wheat fields waving, the dust clouds rolling,
This land was made for you and me. As the fog was lifting, a voice was calling:
Chorus This land was made for you and me.

Wildcat Victory Yankee Doodle

Fight, you K-State Wildcats Chorus:
For alma mater, Fight! Yankee Doodle, keep it up,
Fight! Fight! Fight! Yankee Doodle dandy.
Glory into combat Mind the music and the step
For the purple and the white And with the girls be handy.
Faithful to our colors
We shall ever be Yankee Doodle went to town,
Fighting, ever fighting A riding on a pony,
For a Wildcat victory! Stuck a feather in his cap,
Go State! And called it macaroni.
Chorus

Father and I went down to camp

Along with Captain Gooding,
And there we saw both men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
Chorus

There was Captain Washington

Upon a slapping stallion
Giving orders to his men
There must have been a million
Chorus

16
 Traditional Songs
Take Me Out to the Ballgame I’m Looking Over a 4-
Take me out to the ballgame H Clover
Take me out to the crowd I’m looking over a 4-H
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack clover that I overlooked
I don’t care if I never come back before
And it’s root, root, root for the home team, One is for head, the
If they don’t win it’s a shame second for heart,
For its one, two, three strikes, “You’re out!” Third is hands; They’re
At the old ball game. doing their part.
There’s no need explaining the one remaining,
It’s health that we’re striving for.
I’m looking over a 4-H clover that I overlooked before.

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad

I’ve been working on the railroad Make New Friends
All the live-long day, Make new friends, but keep the old
I’ve been working on the railroad One is silver and the other’s gold.
Just to pass the time away.

Don’t you hear the whistle blowing? This Little Light of Mine
Rise up so early in the morn, This little 4-H light of mine,
Don’t you hear the captain shouting, I’m going to let it shine…Repeat 3 times
“Dinah, blow your horn!” Let it shine, Let it shine,
All the time.
Dinah, won’t you blow, Dinah, won’t you blow,
Dinah, won’t you blow you horn All around the neighborhood…
Dinah, won’t you blow, Dinah, won’t you blow, Hide it under a bushel, no!…
Dinah, won’t you blow you horn Don’t you go and blow it out…

Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah,

Someone’s in the kitchen, I know. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah, John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt,
Strumming on the old banjo and singing: His name is my name too;
Fee-fi-fid-dle-ee-i-o Whenever we go out,
Fee-fi-fid-dle-ee-i-o Hear the happy people shout:
Fee-fi-fid-dle-ee-i-o John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt!
Strumming on the old banjo. Ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra (Repeat)

17
Kansas 4-H For All
Chorus:
Kansas 4-H is for all Kansas kids
Where ever their homes may be
What ever their health and hands let them do
As high as their hearts let them see
Where ever their heads want to take them
Joining together’s the key
Kansas 4-H helping all Kansas kids
Grow as high as their hearts let them see.
Kids who are over-protected
Kids who can learn without trying
Those who are sadly ignored
Those who must give it their all
Kids who are told they’re more precious than gold
Kids who think school is a way to be cool
And those who need some small reward
And those who don’t like it at all
Kids who have many resources
Kids from the town and the city
Those who must scrape to the bone
Kids from the farm and the street
Kids who depend upon lots of good friends
Kids who are stars in their customized cars
And those who seem always alone.
And those who are still on their feet.
Yes…
Yes…
Chorus
Chorus
Kids who have strong healthy bodies
Kids who are bound to be leaders
Those who must overcome pain
Those who will follow their trail
Those who can cope with stress and hope
Kids who are looking for new things to try
And those for whom living is strained
And those too afraid they might fail
Kids for whom life is too structured
Kids who are bursting with talent
Those who have free time to spare
Those who can’t find much to do
Kids who have learned that life can be earned
Kids who have pride and feel good inside
And those who just no longer care.
And those who always feel blue.
Yes…
Yes…
Chorus
Chorus
© Larry L. Booth
February 22, 1982

18
Ode to Kansas It Only Takes a Spark
Fair State of Kansas, prairies unfolded, It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
Borne out of tumult, borne out of strife, And soon all those around
Yours be the glory, ever unfolding, Can warm up to its glowing.
With love we cling to thee. That’s how it is with 4-H spirit,
Once you’ve experienced it.
Fair State of Kansas, mother of freedom, The love you feel
Ages shall hail thee, star-crowned and glor’ous; Within your heart,
Strong sons and daughters lift to thee their homage; You’ll want to pass it on.
Humbly we cling to thee.

Fair State of Kansas, bounden our duty

To carry forward our torch of vision;
Sun washed and star crowned, thou of all art fairest,
We give our lives to thee.

O, Heavenly Father, keep Thy children faithful, Sheet music and RealPlayer files available for the
Faith in our Nation, glorious and free, following songs at: www.4hcentennial.org/history/
Onward and upward echo loud voices, songmain.asp
Hail! Ensign of the Free.
Plowing Song
(The following verse was written especially for Chorus:
January 29, 1957.) Sons of the soil are we,
Lads of the field and flock,
Fair State of Kansas, Abilene our fairest, Turning our sods, asking no odds;
Home of our Leader, fearless and strong, Where is a life so free?
This night we hail him, grant him high courage, Sons of the soil are we,
Hail, Chief, We sing to Thee. Men of the coming years;
Facing the dawn, brain ruling brawn,
Lester Weatherwax Lords of our lands we’ll be.
Tune: Flemming
Also-Integer Vitae A growing day, and a waking field,
And a furrow straight and long,
A golden sun and a lifting breeze,
And we follow with a song.
Chorus

A guiding thought, and a skillful hand,

And a plant’s young leaf unfurled,
A summer’s sun and a summer’s rain,
And we harvest for the world.
Chorus

© 1927 Fannie R. Buchanan and Rena M. Parish

© 1948 National 4-H Service Committee

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Dreaming My home must have its mother,
My home must have a high tree May I grow sweet and wise;
Above its open gate; My home must have its father,
My home must have a garden With honor in his eyes;
Where little dreamings wait; My home must have its children;
My home must have a wide view God grant the parents grace
Of field and meadow fair, To keep our home through all the years
Of distant hill, of open sky, A kindly, happy place.
With sunlight ev’ry where.
© 1927 Fannie R. Buchanan
My home must have a friendship and Rena M. Parish
With ev’ry happy thing; © 1948 National 4-H Service Committee
My home must offer comfort
For any sorrowing;
And ev’ry heart that enters
Shall hear its music there National 4-H Pledge
And find some simple beauty I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
That ev’ry life may share. My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service
And my health to better living
For my club, my community, and my country.

Fredrick Stanley Smith

© 1941 by National 4-H Service Committee

20
Index

Alice The Camel .......................................................6 M-I-L-K ..................................................................11

America ...................................................................15 Make New Friends ..................................................18
America The Beautiful ............................................15 National 4-H Pledge................................................20
Be Present ...............................................................14 Ode To Kansas ........................................................20
Boom Boom ............................................................12 Plowing Song ..........................................................20
Boom, Chick-a-Boom ...............................................5 Pop ..........................................................................12
Bonnie .......................................................................6 Praise God For Bread ..............................................14
Do Your Ears Hang Low ...........................................9 Singing In The Rain ..................................................5
Down By The Bay .....................................................9 Soap and Towel .......................................................13
Dreaming.................................................................21 Star Spangled Banner..............................................16
Evening Grace .........................................................14 Superman ................................................................14
For Health And Strength .........................................14 Take Me Out To The Ballgame ...............................18
God Bless America .................................................16 The Ants Go Marching..............................................8
God Our Father .......................................................14 The Bear Song...........................................................7
Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts ......................................7 The Billboard Song .................................................13
Hark To The Chimes ...............................................14 The Camel Song........................................................6
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes ................................4 The Little Skunk .....................................................12
Home On The Range...............................................16 The Pajamas Song ...................................................10
I Want To Sing .........................................................10 The Rooster ...............................................................9
If You’re Happy .........................................................4 The Shark Song .........................................................5
I’m A Little Hunk Of Tin ........................................13 The Window ............................................................10
I’m Looking Over A 4-H Clover .............................18 There Was A Moose ................................................10
In A Little Canoe.......................................................9 There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly .......8
It Only Takes A Spark .............................................21 This Land ................................................................17
I’ve Been Working On This Little Light Of Mine .......................................18
The Railroad............................................................18 Tom The Toad..........................................................11
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt ...........................18 Whooping Cough ....................................................12
Johnny Appleseed ...................................................14 Wildcat Victory .......................................................17
Kansas 4-H For All .................................................19 Yankee Doodle ........................................................17
Little Green Frog .......................................................7

21
 This publication is adapted by:
Katherine Kramer James P. Adams
4-H Youth Development Intern Associate Professor,
4-H Youth Development
Reviewed by:
Diane Mack Beth Hinshaw
Extension Specialist, Extension Specialist,
4-H Youth Development 4-H Youth Development
Rod Buchele
Extension Specialist,
4-H Youth Development

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended,
nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.
Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved.
In each case, credit The Kansas 4-H Songbook, Kansas State University, June 2005.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
UNN June 2005
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as
amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Fred A. Cholick, Director.