February is the month in which we celebrate the anniversary of Scouting. Most Cub Scout packs celebrate with a blue and gold banquet. Music can be a fun and important part of the Blue and Gold program. Here, I have chosen just a few songs that can help you plan the music part of your show.
Before I share the songs with you, let me give you some tips for leading the singing.
- It helps to have an accompanist on guitar or piano. I know that most scouting groups only sing a cappella. In fact, some songs sound great without accompaniment. But I think an accompaniment adds a lot to most songs. Find someone who plays the guitar and get him the music a few days or weeks before and let him know what he wants to do.
- Have fun! Get a little silly with the silly songs! Young children love to goof around, and they love it even more if an adult can do it with them. It takes patience, love, and determination, but it’s worth it. Of course, you don’t want them swinging off the rafters, so a certain amount of control is still needed.
- Movement songs are great because children can move. Songs like “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” fit very well.
- The songs that are based on the creativity of the participants are also a lot of fun. “Jenny Jenkins,” “There Ain’t No Bugs On Me,” and “Chumbara” are excellent. Children have to make up words to create new verses, and they are easy to do.
- If the mood is right, close with something like “Taps.” Somehow brings the group back into focus.
These are some of the songs I would do:
My Bonnie:
This is a good song to get the guys moving. Every time you chant the letter “B”, you alternate between sitting and standing. For example: my B.onnie (standing) lies on the ocean, Mi B.onnie (sit) lies on the sea, my B.onnie (standing) stands over the ocean. Oh, B.ring (sit) B.ack (stand) my B.onnie (sit) for me.
B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), or B.ring holder) B.ack (sit) my B.onnie (stand) for me, for me. B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), or B.ring holder) B.ack (sit) my B.onnie (stand up) for me.
I like to go faster every time we sing it.
If you’re happy and you know it:
When you’re ready for a little movement, this is fun to do. In the Great American Campfire Songbook, I’ve written three verses for you to sing along to, but you can make up more of your own. If you can’t think of any, the kids can probably help you.
chumbara:
Chumbara is a popular song from Canada and is a 3 syllable word over and over again. To make up new verses, just use any 3-syllable word. Names, places, and foods are all good words to use, such as: E-mi-ly, spa-ghet-ti, blue-ber-ry, or pi-a-no. You can experiment and use words of 2, 4 or more syllables. The good thing about these songs is that you can try whatever you want!
My Bonnie stands over the ocean:
You have to be sitting down for this song. Every time you get to ab, you stand up or sit down, going back and forth between sitting and standing.
faucets:
This is a nice and peaceful song to end. It uses the melody of the bugle call ‘Taps’. You can find the lyrics, music and chords in The Great American Songbook. You can also find just the lyrics by googling ‘Taps’.
Of course, there are many more songs that you could use; These are just some of my suggestions. Good luck and have a great Blue and Gold!