Vreneli is a song kids sing in camp, and I decided it needed more verses, so I wrote some and sang them at Monday's Singaround. Then last night, two masked friends came over, and we all sang it again.

As it was on Monday, the song covered Swiss cheese and cuckoo clocks, but I decided another classic Swiss element was missing - red geraniums, which you put in pots on the balcony on the front of your chalet. At first I didn't think I could fit geraniums in, but then I did. Here are all the verses:

1. Oh, Vreneli, my pretty one, pray tell me where's your home?
My home it stands in Switzerland, 'tis made of wood and stone. 2x
Yo ho ho Tra la la la 7x
tra la la la!

2. Oh, Vreneli, what spheres are those, that hang from yonder trees?
The trees in rows produce the holes that make the fine Swiss cheese. 2x
Yo ho ho etc

3. Oh, Vreneli, what birds are those, that hop on yonder rocks?
Oh those, kind sir, are counting birds that dwell in cuckoo clocks. 2x
Yo ho ho etc

4. Oh, Vreneli, how come you by bright eyes and rosy cheeks?
The roses come from geraniums in salad every week. 2x
Yo ho ho etc
===========================
The point of this song is to make the Yo ho ho's deep, masculine and chesty, while the Tra la la's are high and girlish. Be sure the low voice stays friendly in tone - it's easy to make it sound threatening. This is a camp song, and if you can't make kids laugh in camp, when can you?

I have decided to try singing this in a German accent. Intellectual challenge is said to stave off Alzheimer's.
=========
The DH and I visited Switzerland a couple years ago. I have fond memories of our stay.