Kid's songs, 2-3 chord

Subject: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: Harper42
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 10:38 AM

I'm teaching a children's mountain dulcimer workshop this summer. I want to teach some fun to sing songs, which have only 2-3 chord. I don't want to start them out with Twinkle, Twinkle little Star and Mary Had a Little Lamb!!    One tune that (almost) comes to mind..... Isn't there a song to the tune of "Boil them Cabbage Down" with lyrics something like.....The Girls won't leave the Boys Alone.??

We will learn to play the tunes in hour long workshops, 2 days in a row, then play in a children's concert the following day. So they must be easy tunes, but must also be fun to sing.   

Thanks for your help!

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 11:00 AM

"The Boys Won't Leave The Girls Alone" - is a line from "Tell Me Ma"

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: Marje
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 11:02 AM

You're thinking of the song that's usually known as I'll Tell my Ma, and I think it's in the DT database under that name. It's an Belfast children's street song and was recorded by the Clancy Brothers (and no doubt others). It's not the same tune as the cabbage song, though, it's a bit more tuneful, but it's still a simple tune and I guess three chords would do it.

I think it was the boys who wouldn't leave the girls alone when that recording was made, but hey, that was about 40 years ago, maybe things have changed.

Other easy ones might be Banks of the Ohio and On Top of Old Smoky.

Good luck,
Marje

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: GUEST,Jean - guest
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 02:09 PM

Go Tell Aunt Rhody is a good tune. Boil Them Cabbage is great too, and very easy to play. Old Joe Clark. What'll I Do With the Baby-O. Are You Sleeping/Frere Jacques. Jennie Jenkins.

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:06 PM

Two chord songs (I use them for beginning ukulele!):
Polly Wolly Doodle is great because you hold each chord for so long.
Believe it or not, so is Hank Williams' Jambalaya- I stumbled upon it by accident and the kids love it!

Buffalo Gals when they get a little faster changing between chords.

I have a long list at school; I'll check it next week and get back to you if you still need ideas then!

Allison

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:09 PM

Baby Beluga (3)

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: s&r
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:12 PM

One man went to mow a meadow is great because you always change on the word meadow.

Stu

Subject: RE: Kid's songs, 2-3 chord
From: GUEST,M'Grath of Altcar
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 06:45 PM

Eat Worms is a perfect song for small children. The disgusting lyric is in the DT.

It can be played with just two chords and I will gladly supply a printable file with dots and/or dulcimer tab if you wish.

Good luck with the workshops.