Three Patriotic Songs To Learn

The words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" were written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. He had watched the bombing of Fort McHenry by the British and at dawn saw the American flag still flying. He knew the British attack had been turned back.

The Star Spangled Banner

      G            D   Em

Oh say can you see,

B          Em           A7  D
By the dawn's early light,

               G                D
What so proudly we hailed,

            G
At the twilight's last gleaming?

                                          D      Em

Whose broad stripes and bright stars,

B                   Em    A7  D
Through the perilous fight,

               G                  D
O'er the ramparts we watched,

                G
Were so gallantly streaming.

                     D7  G

And thy rocket's red glare,

                    D7   G  D7
Thy bombs bursting in air,

          G       D          G     D
Gave proof through the night,

D7            G    Em   A7   D
That our flag was still there.

      G                    C              E7   Am            G  D

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

               G     D       G      Em       G            D7   G
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Preamble to the Constitution (1787)

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

You're A Grand Old Flag

The song was written in 1905 by George M. Cohan. Cohan was an American actor, playwright, theatrical producer and writer of popular songs.

               F
You're a grand old flag, you're a high-flying flag
                                                               C7
And forever in peace may you wave
                                                      F
You're the emblem of the land I love
            G7                                            C7
The home of the free and the brave
               F
Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue
                               D7                            Gm  C7
Where there's never a boast or brag
C7                     F                                 C7
But, Should old acquaintance be forgot
                      G7                   C7                F
Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

Three Cheers For The Red, White and Blue

             A7                                                     D
Three cheers for the Red, White, and Blue,
                  A7                                                                           DThree cheers for the Red, White, and Blue!
                                                             GThe flag of America forever,
           A7                                                    D
Three cheers for the Red, White, and Blue!

Pledge to the Flag

I pledge  allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Written by Francis Bellamy in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.

A great adventurous story is a favorite with my 4 grandsons. Here are a few illustrations from within:

Another popular children's book that folks can relate to where I live, Driving my Tractor, is a good one! It comes in paperback and also with a CD.

These storybooks can be purchased from my daughter by clicking on her photo in the sidebar. I helped her sell barefoot Books a very long time ago. Now I write stories of my own and continue to give piano lessons to adults and children, including 3 to five-year-olds.

Happy Reading and Singing!

-- LadyD

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2008-2016– All rights reserved
Barefoot Books-LadyD

Kindergarten Music: Old MacDonald Had a Farm

One of my sweet grandsons received a play barn with animal toy set. He spends hours with it, pretending to feed and ride the animals. We all chuckle as we hear him make animal sounds. His adorable farmer's voice reminds me of a famous nursery song we all have come to love... Old Mac Donald Had a Farm! Here's a song you may want to sing in your classroom to this familiar tune but with different words.

Shake Your Hand

F                          Bb              F

He would like to shake your hand,

               C7        F

And say hello to you.

                            Bb             F

He will tell you his name is Kelly,

               C7                     F

Now tell him your name too.

(Child says name.)

Hello, Susie; hello, Susie: hello, hello, Susie.

                             Bb             F

He would like to shake your hand.

(Shake hands)

                C7        F

And say hello to you.

Substitute the names of your children for the names Kelly and Susie. Continue singing the song until each child has had a chance to shake someone's hand.

A Barefoot Singalong: Driving my Tractor

Here's my book review if you're interested in my thoughts on this wonderful picture book with CD. This is an interactive, educational and musical journey for the listener. SteveSongs has won numerous awards, including a Parent's Choice Gold Award, a CMW Best Audio Award, a NAPPA Honor and an iParenting Media Award.

Chords & Lyrics: Driving my Tractor

Key: D Major

Time: 4/4 Light, fun swing

D                 D/F#                 G         G/A

Driving my tractor down a bumpy road

        D         D/F#                  G        A7

And in my trailer, there's a heavy load.

                 D                       D/F#          G               G#dim7

There's a black and white cow going moo, moo, moo

D/A   G/A          D    G/A

It's a very busy day.

Chorus

D             

Chug, Chug, Clank, Clank, Toot!

G

Chug, Chug, Clank, Clank, Toot!

D                  

Chug, Chug, Clank, Clank, Toot!

G/A                   D

It's a very busy day.

Here are some additional works of SteveSongs:

Music Time with SteveSongs - Volume One



Marvelous Day

  photo credit: Standing for Yet Another Spring via photopin (license)
*affiliate links in post*

I recommend Driving my Tractor for preschool/kindergarten libraries and home library, too. Here's a review from School Library Journal:

"A farmer drives his tractor down a bumpy road through various seasons, gradually loading one cow, two donkeys, three pigs, four sheep, and five chickens onto his trailer... A jolly read-aloud, and the accompanying CD with a jazzy version adds to the charm, with both an instrumental track and SteveSongs (of PBS fame) singing the text." 

Happy Reading!



-- LadyD


 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2008-2015 – All rights reserved
Barefoot Books-LadyD

Turkey Rests and The Mulberry Bush

                                                 

My grandchildren love to sing to the tune, The Mulberry Bush. Here are 7 songs for your classroom or for homeschool.

Start the Day With a Smile

C

This is the way we start the day,

G

Start the day, start the day.

C

This is the way we start the day,

      G                C

So early in the morning.

C

First we smile and shake a hand,

G

Shake a hand, shake a hand.

C

First we smile and shake a hand,

     G                 C

So early in the morning.

C

Then we sit down quietly,

G

Quietly, quietly.

C

Then we sit down quietly,

      G                C

So early in the morning.

C

We listen very carefully,

G

Carefully, carefully.

       C

We listen very carefully,

       G                C

So early in the morning.

Today's Helpers

C

Todd will be the helper today,

G

Helper today, helper today.

C

Todd will be the helper today,

G                       C

He will put the blocks away.

(Substitute the name of one of your children for the name Todd, and the appropriate job for the phrase put the blocks away. 

Let's Pick Up Today

C

Let's pick up the blocks today,

        G

The blocks today, the blocks today.

C

Let's pick up the blocks today,

        G                   C

And put them all away.

Additional verses: Let's pick up the toys today; Let's pick up the books today; Let's pick up the puzzles today; etc. 

Shapes In the Air

C

This is a circle as you can see,

(Draw a circle in the air with your finger.)

G

You can see, you can see.

C

This is a circle as you can see,

          G                  C

Now draw it in the air with me.

(Repeat for other shapes.)

Calendar Song

       C

The calendar shows the name of the month,

        G

The name of the month, the name of the month.

        C

The calendar shows the name of the month,

        G                           C

For every month of the year.

        C

The calendar shows the days of the week,

        G

The days of the week, the days of the week.

         C

The calendar shows the days of the week, 

        G                            C

For every month of the year.

        C

The calendar shows the dates of the month,

        G

The dates of the month, the dates of the month.

         C

The calendar shows the dates of the month,

        G                            C

For every month of the year.

C

Today is the first day of the month,

G

Day of the month, day of the month.

C

Today is the first day of the month,

G                               C

Of the month of September.

(Substitute the appropriate date and month for the words first and September.)

There Are Seven Days

C

There are seven days in the week,

G

Days in the week, days in the week.

C

There are seven days in the week,

        G                         C

And now I'll say them all.

              G

There's Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,

G

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

C

Saturday ends our week, now,

G                             C

Aren't you proud of me?

Bundling Up

C

This is the way we put on our coats,

G

Put on our coats, put on our coats.

C

This is the way we put on our coats.

     G                        C

To keep our bodies warm.

Additional verses: This is the way we put on our mittens to keep our hands warm; This is the way we put on our snow pants to keep our legs warm; This is the way we put on our boots to keep our feet warm; This is the way we put on our hats to keep our heads warm.

Barefoot Books

Two great books that come to mind for Fall reading, this delightful counting book, 'One Moose, Twenty Mice' and paperback book with great music song, 'Driving My Tractor.' For more details, click on my daughter's photo in the side bar.

Since it's almost turkey time, my grandchildren and I made these fun turkey pinecones. We used them in piano lessons to learn about music rests. (shhh, don't play!) Then I gave them to my students to celebrate our Thanksgiving break. You can see the post, here. So simple to make by twisting rainbow pipe cleaners!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! Wishing you joy around your table with family and friends!


 photo credit: Abstract Tree via photopin (license)



-- LadyD


“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2008-2015 – All rights reserved
Barefoot Books-LadyD