Today when I was going out for lunch with my colleagues, we walked by a day camp and the conversation turned to choosing camps for kids. Being childfree, I don’t have camp things to think about each summer (but I once did).
So what did I do this evening?
I looked up (and sang) camp songs. (The internet does allow me to pursue my myriad interests on a whim.)
Usually, I only remember the first (and maybe the second verse) of a given camp song but I can’t sing the whole thing — I used to know quite a few very well — and this kinda bugs me (since I have very little to worry about in my day-to-day life).
I’m happy to report that this evening I found a great site with a lot of lyrics to Canadian (very different than American) camp songs.
Mind you, I did not find all my favorites — does anyone remember the words to something that goes like: I’ve got four wheels and a running board/I’m a four-door/I’m a Ford/Crash, crash, rattle, rattle/Crash,/BEEP BEEP?
The best thing I found today is the song that’s the reflection of my personal philosophy.
Sing, Sing a Song
Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud, sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sadSing, sing a song
Make it simple to last your whole life long
Don’t worry that it’s not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a songSing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love that could be
Sing for you and for me
I did — I sang quite a few in the privacy of my home!
I chose to ignore the small voice (not in my head) that asked me if the kids at camp could stand my singing.
For the record, I always told the kids, “I know I can’t sing but I enjoy it. Maybe some of you think you can’t sing well either but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the singsong. It doesn’t stop me.”
…we all have a song to sing.
And that’s the corny post for today. I miss camp (and my faded youth) but maybe I can relive those feelings after I get the Bambi for my birthday.
Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters) had a great version of that song.
PS Reminds me of this by The Playmates, but I don’t think it’s what you’re looking for –
[Very Slow]
While riding in my Cadillac,
What to my surprise.
A little Nash Rambler was following me –
About one third my size.
The guy must’ve wanted to pass me up
As he kept on tooting his horn. Beep! Beep!
I’ll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn.
Beep beep. Beep! Beep! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep. Beep! Beep!
[Slow]
I pushed my foot down to the floor
To give the guy the shake.
But the little Nash Rambler stayed right behind;
He still had on his brake.
He must have thought his car had more guts
As he kept on tooting his horn. Beep! Beep!
I’ll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn.
Beep beep. Beep! Beep! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep. Beep! Beep!
[Normal]
My car went into passing gear
And we took off with gust.
Soon we were doing ninety –
Must’ve left him in the dust.
When I peeked in the mirror of my car,
I couldn’t believe my eyes:
The little Nash Rambler was right behind –
I think that guy could fly.
Beep beep. Beep! Beep! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep.
[Faster]
Now we’re doing a hundred and ten –
This certainly was a race.
For a Rambler to pass a Caddy
Would be a big disgrace.
The guy must’ve wanted to pass me up
As he kept on tooting his horn.
I’ll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn.
Beep beep. Beep! Beep! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep.
[Fastest]
Now we’re doing a hundred and twenty –
As fast as I could go.
The Rambler pulled along side of me
As if we were going slow.
The fellow rolled down his window
And yelled for me to hear,
“Hey, Buddy, how can I get this car
Out of second gear?!â€
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!