W O O D B A D G E P R O J E C T
S O N G S
Here are the words to some common songs. Each provides a useful element of spirituality. We can examine each. For music for these and other songs, try some of the links at the bottom of this page.
Friends Are Special
Friends are special when they sing together,
They can sing the whole day,
They can sing the night away,
They can sing together, they can sing.
Friends are special when they laugh together,
They can laugh the whole day,
They can laugh the night away,
They can laugh together, they can laugh.
Friends are special when they cry together,
They can cry the whole day,
They can cry the night away,
They can cry together, they can cry.
Friends are special when they dream together,
They can dream the whole day,
They can dream the night away,
They can dream together, they can dream.
There are excellent values here. We have the value and importance of friends. The song has a simple tune, with lots of repetiton in the words. This makes it easy to learn (and teach!) and perfect for our purposes.
Happy and You Know It
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) x2
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet (stomp stomp) x2
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp stomp)
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!) x2
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)
If you're happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)x2
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, do all three. (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
Everyone knows this classic. And a lot of people have adapted the words for their own particular message ("If you're happy and you know it shout 'Amen'"), or to meet the physical abilities of the youth ("...do a cartwheel"!) Again, easy words, easy tune, lots of repetition, and it extolls the value of being happy and showing that you are happy. Good value in this song.
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
He's got the whole world in His hands, x3
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got my brothers and my sisters in His hands, x3
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the sun and the rain in His hands,
He's got the moon and the stars in His hands,
He's got the wind and the clouds in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the rivers and the mountains in His hands,
He's got the oceans and the seas in His hands,
He's got you and he's got me in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got everybody here in His hands,
He's got everybody there in His hands,
He's got everybody everywhere in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
This one is more overtly religious. That is not a bad thing when dealing with spirituality, but in the context of the youth's different backgrounds and religious experiences and the various expectations you might want to use some other songs with appropriate messages. Your call.
I Can Sing a Rainbow
Red and yellow and blue and green,
Purple and orange and pink,
I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow too!
Listen to your heart, listen to your heart,
And sing everything you feel,
I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow too.
This one could elicit some good discussion. How can you sing a rainbow? What does it mean? Look at the line "Listen with your heart" - what does it mean? A short song, simple tune, and a very appropriate message.
So, knowing what to look for, and knowing the values we are trying to present, it is easy to go through any list of songs and choose the most appropriate ones.
Here are some useful songs links.
NIEHS Kid's Pages
Kiddidles songs
Songs and rhymes by country
Bus Songs - children's songs
Teacher's Guide to children's songs