Island-names to link with songs

Subject: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 07:44 PM

I'm writing a childrens' musical. I'm using the idea of a voyage to various islands where each group does a song and dance routine or two before the main ship and crew moves on. I like to use familiar songs - old ones usually. I sometimes write parodies. So far I'm thinking about:
Christmas Island -- lots of ideas here.
Sandwich Islands - "Teddy Bears' Picnic".
Easter Island - "Chicken Reel" with clogging. ?Rabbits.
Thursday Island - where it's going to be Friday tomorrow - "Where did Robinson Crusoe go with Friday on Saturday Night."
Treasure Island - with pirates.

There are so many creative minds here among Mudcat friends. I thought I'd ask.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:18 PM

And there are some floating ideas to attach here and there - "Rings on my Fingers". "Island in the Sun". "She Wears Red Feathers". Simple tunes and colourful ideas are what I'm seeking.
J

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Bert
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:53 PM

Is this the kind of thing you're looking for?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Micca
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:55 PM

Jamaica farewell (in the DT)
Beautiful Barbados
"Beautiful, beautiful Barbados
gem of the Caribbean sea
come back to my island Barbados
come back to my island and me"

Westering Home( there was a thread about this in the last few years) and a damned good song to sing it is) the island mentioned is Islay in the Inner Hebrides

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:57 PM

Vera Lynne singing " Isle be seeing you" ??

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Stewart
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:42 PM

Here's an Easter song for Easter Island.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 10:04 PM

Thank you all. Yes! This is a good start. I like that idea, Leadfingers.
Westering Ho/Westering Home I'd forgotten about. That would be a good one.
Of course there's also "Island in the Sun".
Gets me going too when I tune in here.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Schantieman
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:27 AM

There were three drunken maidens, came from the Isle of Wight...

The Mingulay Boat Song
...over the sea to Skye
anything by Roy Harris and Tom Lewis?

and a little further afield...

Rolling Down to Old Maui
Van Dieman's Land

Steve

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Mark H.
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:07 AM

Something Egyptian, set in the Faroes?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Schantieman
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:31 AM

...and, borrowed from another thread....

If Isla StClair married Barry White, then divorced him (or perhaps he died (again)) and then married Bryan Ferry, would she become ....

(all together now)

Isla White-Ferry

?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:29 AM

Is malabar an island? All I know is it's exotic. Still, the coast of malabar is a lovely song.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Mr Happy
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:37 AM

Ellen Vannin?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: bfdk
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:06 AM

Eh... Virgin Islands - or is that too mature? ;-))

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:12 AM

Yellow bird up high in banana tree - for the Canary Islands? (Yes, I know they were named after dogs....)

LTS

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Chip2447
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:10 PM

I suppose Isle of Brest is out.
Isle of Brest


Chip

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: The Walrus
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:10 PM

A nonsense song for the Scilly Isles?

"Carry Me Back into Bimini" is probably too mature

I'm sure there is an appropriate hymn you can use for for Ascension Island.

Any song about traffic for Rhode Island (sorry, I'm in a punningmood at the moment)

W

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Fergie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:23 PM

"Maggie come Back" on Tory Island?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Herge
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:41 PM

What about dancing the waves of Tory?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:47 PM

`Beatiful Isle of Somewhere?

"Somewhere the sun is shining
Somewhere the angels dwell
Hush now thy sad repining
God lives- and all is well"

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: MMario
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:49 PM

"Bali Hai" for Bali Hai?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:50 PM

How about "New York, New York" and a chorus line for Manhattan Island?

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: MMario
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:52 PM

I like the thought of "King of the Cannibal Islands" for the Sandwich Islands - but I have a twisted mind.

"it's raining men" for the Isle of Man?

"Pepino" for Sicily

"steam heat" for iceland

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:45 PM

Aloha Oe...spelling? For the Hawaiian Islands.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Rowan
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 06:48 PM

"Old TI" could get a mention, as could "My island home". And my warped sense of humour started thinking about tongue twisters and when an isthmus leaves an island in its wake. And when a series of pleasure dives go wrong on the Maldives.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:04 PM

These are great. Thank you so much. How could I forget the Scilly Isles - near the place of my ancestors - and so many possibilities for them.
And the Virgin Islands and Brest - probably have to do an adult version of the play.
Traffic of various kinds on Rhode Island is a possibility too.
and The Maldives -- although a bit close to home considering those poor tourists who got left in the middle of the ocean a while back.
I did think I'd like to do a cannibal routine - might tone it down using "The Witch Doctor"
The Canary Islands -- Little girls in yellow bird suits.
The Isle of Man and I thought of The Isle of Dogs too.
Dancing The Waves of Tory is a great idea. I usually include a folkdance in my productions - hadn't thought of one for this one.
I'll ponder all this a while. Thank you so much good friends.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:10 PM

and the Faroes -- That's a winner. Thank you Mark.
Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:25 PM

Scotland is surrounded by islands, some of which have been mentioned above: add to this; "Isles of Hirta" (St Kilda), Eilean Mullagh (Mull), Isle of May (hear the puffins calling), Isle of Eigg, Orkney anthem, The Dark Island, and The Island of Tiree.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:30 PM

Probably my favourite island song is Island in the Sun -

"Oh island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will spend in praise
Of your forests, waters and smiling sands"

(if that's the words - it's one I've heard in the distance, in that sexy Caribbean accent, all my life).

Then there's The Rose of Arranmore:

"My thoughts today, though I'm far away
Live on Tirconell's shore,
The salt sea air and the cailins fair
And lovely green Gweedore..."

(People in the Aran Islands off Galway sing it too, though it's a Donegal song.)

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:15 PM

Great! Yes I thought I might make "Island in the Sun" one of the connecting songs.
The islands around Scotland are good too. This area was settled by Scotts (and Germans).

My own personal favourite song about an isle is - "Isle of Beauty Fare Thee Well" about England - although many websites will tell you it's about Ireland -- It's not!

My cast is made up of under 10 year-olds - with a few willing parents. It's a tiny community out here. We're re-creating the old concerts held in the local hall in the days when the school still functioned. Except I make it a musical play with linking songs. Many of the parents went to the old school so it's a nostalgic affair. This is our second year. Before that the hall held its last school concert in 1982.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Rowan
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 02:46 AM

Although it's not (so far as I know) a song, you might be able to fit aspects/bits of Donne's "No man is an island" into the epic.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Jim Lad
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 04:06 AM

Jake The Peg for The Isle of Man.

Aunty Mary Had a Canary... She could handle the Virgin Islands Too.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 08:40 AM

If you might want an instrumental between something - what about "Nantucket sleighride'

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 08:53 AM

Muck, Rum?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Isles

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:43 AM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "Christian Island," an old Gordon Lightfoot song about a man and his boat. There is also Jamaica Farewell, "26 Miles," about Catalina Island (obviously not a folk song, but nearly old enough by now)and "Greenland Whale Fisheries," depending upon whether or not you categorize Greenland as an island, or something greater.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 07:22 PM

Now you've done it TJ. I've been trying to get That Santa Catalina song out of my head since I first came up with this idea. Hadn't managed it 'till about yesterday. Now it's back!
Thankyou for the ideas though.
An epic -- I like that, Rowan. A Musical Epic. A musical Short Epic or we won't have an audience. The Minhamite - No-man/woman/child-is-an-island Musical Epic.
And thanks Mr Happy I'll browse around there.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Mr Happy
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 10:05 AM

'......depending upon whether or not you categorize Greenland as an island, or something greater.'

In the same vein, there's all the songs which mention Australia!!

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: GEST
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 10:38 AM

The search engine at GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador showed 34 pages of results for the word ISLAND. Here are a few selections from the first four pages:

Isle Of Newfoundland
The Islander
Thank God We're Surrounded By Water
This Island
Girl From Red Island
Island To Island
My Island Home
Baccalieu Island

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: vectis
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:15 AM

How about I'm dreaming of a Wight Christmas?

Ducks and runs

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 01:41 PM

Ellen Vannin, Vectis just reminded me! (Isle of Man)

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Kajikit
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 03:03 PM

For the Cannibals, don't forget the classic 'thousand hairy cannibals, sitting down to lunch' for a singalong... beloved of children everywhere (at least those who have heard it, and if they haven't, hey it's only got one verse!) Then there's 'never bath in an Irish Stew'

For Africa (Madagascar?), how about 'I'm being swallowed by a boa constrictor'.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 03:28 PM

You probably can't use ideas like these, but what the hey:

Joshua Gone Barbados

When Old Bill Bailey Plays His Ukulele (Down in Honolulu)

There's an Island Way Out in the Sea (Where the Babies All Grow on Trees) (don't know the real title of this one)


Bob

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: bfdk
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 05:30 PM

Isle of Eigg... reminded me that there's a song about that - the McCalmans used to sing it.

Isle of Eigg
(Robin Laing)


T'was in the merry month of May / When balmy winds first blow
I met my love in Arisaig / Where rhododendrons grow
I met my love in Arisaig / In the shadow of Craig Mhor
The sun shone on the Isle of Eigg / Far from the silver shore.

And in the months that followed / Our love and friendship grew
Warmed by the summer sun / And a love that was so new
We walked among the hills / And by the crashing ocean's roar
The sun shone on the Isle of Eigg / Far from the silver shore.

Autumn came to Arisaig / With colours fair to view
Birds were flying south again / Soon we followed too
A said song echoed in the hills / Lochaber no more
The sun shone on the Isle of Eigg / Far from the silver shore.

T'was in the merry month of May / When balmy winds first blow
I met my love in Arisaig / Where rhododendrons grow
I met my love in Arisaig / In the shadow of Craig Mhor
The sun shone on the Isle of Eigg / Far from the silver shore.

T'was in the merry month of May / When balmy winds first blow
I met my love in Arisaig / Where rhododendrons grow
I met my love in Arisaig / In the shadow of Craig Mhor
The sun shone on the Isle of Eigg / Far from the silver shore.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 06:41 PM

Thank you everyone. Lots to think about here.
I'll get busy and piece the whole thing together.
I plan to use whole families so that parents can sing some verses and children choruses. Maybe replace a few words here and there. The youngest actor -- not counting a small baby -- is two.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 06:44 PM

England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycle two by two
Winchester Abbey
the tower of big ben..
The rosy red cheeks of the little children.....etc

by Roger Miller!

oh, my the things that are taking up valuable space in my brain...

ENGLAND SWINGS

words and music by Roger Miller


England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two
Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben
The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Now, if you huff and puff and you fin'lly save enough
Money up to take your family on a trip across the sea
Take a tip before you take your trip
Let me tell you where to go
Go to England, oh

England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two
Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben
The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Mama's old pajamas and your papa's mustache,
Falling out the window sill, frolic in the grass,
Tryin' to mock the way they talk, fun but all in vain,
Gaping at the dapper men with derby hats and canes.

England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two
Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben
The rosy red cheeks of the little children

England swings like a pendulum do
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two
Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben
The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:38 PM

open mike - thank you. I like Roger Miller a lot. I'd forgotten that one.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: Lyr Add: SKYE BOAT SONG
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 11:47 AM

The "Skye Boat Song," which depicts the spiriting of Bonny Prince Charlie over to Isle of Skye. I first remember hearing it during a performance of song and dance by a Highland regiment many years ago.

Speed bonnie boat,
like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye

Loud the winds howl,
loud the waves roar,
Thunder clouds rend the air;
Baffled,our foes stand on the shore
Follow they will not dare

Speed bonnie boat....

Though the waves leap,
soft shall ye sleep
Ocean's a royal bed
Rocked in the deep,
Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head

Speed bonnie boat....

Many's the lad
fought on that day
Well the claymore could wield
When the night came,
silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field

Speed bonnie boat...

Burned are our homes,
Exile and death
Scatter the loyal men
Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again...

Speed bonnie boat...

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Cats
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 12:55 PM

Not forgetting the Scilly Islands or am I just being stupid? [Don't answer that!!!]

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 08:05 PM

Thanks Cats - The Walrus came up with them - not me - I'd forgotten them. They are most surely in.
Thanks TJ. The Skye Boat Song is in my head and several of my books but having it here makes things easier. As a kid -- maybe even now - it conjures up images of sailng into the sky and beyond.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 08:42 PM

Isle au Haut

ISLE AU HAUT LULLABY (Hay Ledge Song)
(Gordon Bok)

If I could give you three things,
I would give you these:
Song and laughter and a wooden home
In the shining seas


cho: When you see old Isle au Haut
Rising in the dawn,
You will play in yellow fields
In the morning sun.

Sleep where the wind is warm
And the moon is high.
Give sadness to the stars,
Sorrow to the sky.

Do you hear what the sails are saying
In the wind's dark song?
Give sadness to the wind,
Blown alee and gone.

Sleep now, the moon is high,
And the wind blows cold;
For you are sad and young
And the sea is old.

If I could give you three things
I would give you these:
Song and laughter and a wooden home
In the shining sea.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Rowan
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 09:27 PM

And, from another thread, comes an obvious (athough now changed) name for an island; Ocean Island.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 09:50 PM

Sinsul -- What a lovely song. I'll seek out the tune. Thank you.
Ocean Island Hmmm. Well I guess there are a few river ones.

Oh! Oh! I just thought of Atlantis. A fun one to do along with sinking songs ...
"We'll they built the land Atlantis to sail the ocean blue.
They thought they had a land that the water would never come through
But the Lord's almighty hand ....." and so forth
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Jun 07 - 09:54 PM

Found the tune for ISLE AU HAUT LULLABY in the DT. Yes it's indeed a lovely song.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: goatfell
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:35 AM

what about the isle of innisfree and isle of tiree and the dark island and the road to the isles and the hiking song these last two mention scottish isles.

Subject: RE: Island-names to link with songs
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:50 PM

Thanks Arran. I learned "The Road to the Isles" when I was about 7. Our teacher just loved it. She had us singing it every day. She told us the meanings of the unfamiliar words. The far Coolins must have called her away for ever by now.
Cheers, Joy