Pete Seeger used to talk about "Zipper Songs"; songs where by changing one word or one line, you can add a new verse. I think Pete credited Lee Hayes with coining the term. One example is: As I went down in the valley to pray Studyin' about that good old way And who shall wear the stary crown Good Lord, show me the way Oh _______ let's go down Let's go down come on down Oh _______ let's go down Down in the valley to pray By using the words "Father", "Mother", "Sister", "Brother", "Sinners"... you can make a new verse. Another example is: Hot tamales and they're red hot Yes she's got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot Yes she's got 'em for sale _____________________________ _____________________________ Hot tamales and they're red hot Yes she's got 'em for sale. Here a two line phrase is inserted in each verse. "I've got a gal that's seven feet tall She sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall." "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust Show me a gal that a man can trust." I've even heard, "I've got a gal that's four feet tall She sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the kitchen." What are some other "Zipper Songs"?
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