When I was in grade school (and until college), the medium of instruction was English and the curriculum was that of American orientation. In class, particularly in the first and second grade, we were taught English songs. The class would be singing as their respite from the lessons. One such song that still lingers on my mind is KATY. It was not explained why we needed to learn that song except that it is an American song. It goes like K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy, you're the only G-G-G-Girl that I adore, when the mo-moon shines, over the mountain....
@Joe Riley thanks very much for the short video. Yes, it's that song that I would learn later was intended for the army and that Katy was the apple of the eye of the army men. Another grade school song that I remember is the Old Millstream. It goes like this.... Down by the old millstream where I first met you With your eyes so blue, dressed in gingham too. Can someone supply the continuing lines of that song?
Yes, I remember the school songs as well. I don't remember ever singing K-K-K Katy though. We did sing Down by the Old Millstream, let me see if I can remember the words. Down by the old mill stream, where I first met you. It was there I knew that I loved you true. You were sixteen, my village queen, down by the old millstream. Not sure if I got all the words right or even if I missed a few lines, didn't cheat to go look the song up online. Anyway, do you remember BINGO, you the dog with the name where the letters disappear?
@Joe Riley thanks again for the video. I hope next time you post an mp3 with your own voice for the song, hahahaaa. @Hannah Davis what a truly wonderful song for children, that mill stream song was the first romantic song we learned in school. There is one song that I forgot the title but it goes like this... This old man, he played one, he played knick-knack on ... With the knick-knack paddywack give the dog a bone, this old man came running home. The song advances in number like Shoe for Two, Knee for Three, etc. I hope someone can supply the lyrics again but no fair peeking in the internet. This thread is for reminiscing and not cheating, hahahaaa.
I don't believe I've ever heard of this song. When I was in school we didn't learn many songs at all, and we definitely didn't put on any performances that would require us to learn any songs.
I remember to have learned a tribal song by the days I made it to elementary school. My teacher used to say that we won't be here without those native tribes that subsist today, hence the importance to learn at least such a traditional I can remember some chorus but I have forgotten the name, tribal title name too. However one that I can remember as traditional grade school song was this I don't remember either why we should learn this, but I guess it was due to the teacher being British, LOL
@Carlota Clemens, that song London Bridge is used here as a folk song and also a game song. There are 2 children holding and swaying both hands while the other children would be passing under those connected hand. When the song ends at my fair lady, the child underneath the arms will be the IT and out of the game. Addendum, from what my husband said, that the London bridge in the song is a plain bridge and that one in the video is actually the Tower Bridge.
Pardon me for continuing with this thread. I just want to reminisce my grade school days when we were enjoying the class singing of American songs. As what @Pat Baker said, why the need to learn Katy. That's also the question in my mind now. Clementine is a sad song about a girl whose father perished in a mine. I remember our teacher telling the story of Clementine that it happened during the gold rush, our teacher said. When our class had memorized the song and we did the maiden performed in the classroom, I think half of the class were crying. In a cavern, down the canyon, excavating for a mine, there's a miner, forty-niner, and his daughter Clementine. Take note of how we pronounced cavern and canyon as KAYE-VERN and CANE-YON.
No problem Corie, this thread is interesting and really funny when it comes to the London Bridge, particularly the fact your hubby is pointing at, LOL Never heard that song about Clementine, but I bet it was fascinating listening to your teacher telling the story behind those grade school songs
I remember learning Oh, Susannah when I was young. I also remember how the whole class loved that song, and how my father told me how old it actually was and he even taught me the first verses in Romanian. For those who don't know it, here are a few lyrics: I come from Alabama With a banjo on my knee I'm going to Louisiana, My true love for to see. Oh, Susannah, Oh don't you cry for me For I come from Alabama With a banjo on my knee. As you can see, it's a really simple and fun song.
We sang those songs, too. I haven't thought about them since i don't remember when. That first one mentioned by Corie is, "My Darling Clementine." My daddy hummed and sang that song from my earliest memories. Near a cavern, across from a canyon, Excavating for a mine, Lived a miner, forty-niner And his daughter Clementine Oh my Darling, Oh my Darling, Oh my Darling Clementine. You are lost and gone forever, Dreadful sorry, Clementine. Light she was and like a fairy, And her shoes were number nine Herring boxes without topses Sandals were for Clementine. CHORUS: Drove she ducklings to the water Every morning just at nine, Hit her foot against a splinter Fell into the foaming brine. CHORUS: Ruby lips above the water, Blowing bubbles soft and fine, But alas, I was no swimmer, So I lost my Clementine. CHORUS: How I missed her! How I missed her! How I missed my Clementine, Till I kissed her little sister, And forgot my Clementine. CHORUS: Then the miner, forty-niner, Soon began to peak and pine, Thought he oughter join his daughter, Now he's with his Clementine. CHORUS: In the church yard in the canyon Where the myrtle doth entwine There grows roses and other posies Fertilized by Clementine. Read more: Traditional - Oh My Darling Clementine Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@John Donovan, we learned that Susannah song but it did not linger much. You see, grade schoolers have their favorites and the non-favorites will be easily forgotten. @Bill Boggs now you had corrected me when I said the father perished but it seems it was the daughter who first perished. I think your version is the complete one. Take note, we were taught an abridged version - short so pupils will easily memorize. This is one song that we really didn't like. It goes like this... Wind, wind, wind the bobbin wind, wind, wind the bobbin Pull, pull and tap, tap, tap. Such a very short song but our teacher said it would invigorate us because we used to sing that with appropriate action.