Silly Camp Songs

One of the best ways to get people involved in singing around a campfire is to sing silly songs. The ones who will join in, get involved and sing the loudest are: you guessed it; young children! Especially those of cub scout age. Who doesn't love to listen to the laughter of children? If you can get kids laughing, and having a good time, it won't be long before just about everyone is having fun.

Once you get the group singing silly camp songs, they won't want to stop. At least the kids won't. I like to do a good mix of silly songs along with traditional campfire songs, songs that involve movement and one or two of the quieter, not so rowdy campfire songs. Of course, you can do it however you want. Every campfire is different. Sometimes, it lends itself to lively singing, and sometimes to quieter, more subdued singing. You just need to get a feel of what will be best for the group you are with.

Here are some of my favorite silly songs;

John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt:
This is one of those songs that most people already know. If they don't, it is one of the easiest to learn. This is fun when you get to the end. Each time you repeat it you sing louder than the time before: John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt la da de da da da da!

Found a Peanut:
Sung to the tune of "Clementine", this is one of those songs that could repeat over and over. If you start singing this with your kids in the car, you better put a time limit on it because it could drive you crazy! As you sing this camping song, you can come up with your own actions to fit the words.

Nobody Likes Me:
If your group likes songs about eating worms, this song fits the bill. Before you sing this song, you might want to go out and buy some gummy worms to pass around. The group could eat their gummy worms while they sing this song.

Do Your Ears Hang Low:
This is sung to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw". Here are the actions:
Do your ears hang low (put hands behind ears to look like you have big ears)
do they wobble too and fro (sway your fingers)
Can you tie 'em in a knot (draw a knot in the air)
Can you tie 'em in a bow (draw a bow in the air)
Can you throw 'em o'er your shoulder (act like your throwing a bag over your shoulder)
Like a continental soldier (salute)
Do your ears hang low (same as above)

I Like Bananas, Coconuts and Grapes:
This one sounds silly as you do each verse. The first verse is sung normal. In each verse after that, replace all the vowels with an 'a' or 'e' or one of the other vowels. I have gone into more detail in The Great American Campfire Songbook how to sing this song. It is lots of fun.

McGregor Was Dead:
This is fun to sing faster and faster each time you sing it. It's hard to get all the syllables in without stumbling over your tongue!

Cannibal King:
This is a favorite at girl's camp. It is especially fun if you sing the end faster each time you get there. You'll feel like Jerry Lewis when he said, "My tongue got in front of my eyetooth and I couldn't see what I was sayin'." This song has four verses, but dont let that scare you off. Once you learn the first verse, the following verses are easy to learn. They are very similar to the first verse.

I hope you enjoy the fun songs I have included in The Great American Campfire Songbook. Good luck and remember to just have fun.

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