My niece has an amusing print of a Victorian painting called The Bear Dance, and I always think of this song when I see it. Some bears are dancing what appears to be some elaborate folk dance, some playing instruments, others drinking, others fighting.

Here's a traditional song suitable for kids. I suspect that it has more verses -- like an introductory verse, at least -- but this is how I know it.

STORMY WEATHER BOYS

Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail
Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail
Up jumps the shark with his nine rows of teeth
Saying "You eat the dough, boys, and I'll eat the beef.


Chorus

And it's windy weather boys, stormy weather boys,
When the wind blows we're all together boys
Blow your winds westerly, blow your winds blow
Jolly sou'wester boys, steady she goes.


Up jumps the mackerel with his striped back
Saying "Watch your eyes captain, its time for to tack
Up jumps the lobster with his heavy claw
Bites the main boom right off by the jaws.

Chorus again.

Up jumps the halibut, lies flat on the deck
He says "Mr. Captain, don't walk on my neck
Up jumps the herring, the king of the sea
Saying "all other fishes now you follow me.


(Chorus again)

Up jumps the codfish with his chuckle head
He runs out to forward and throws out the lead
Up jumps the whale, the largest of all
He heaves on the windlass pawl after pawl.

(Chorus again)^^