Here's a new song you can use with children as an ice breaker, and it's also a great way to teach children waltz time. You help each child sing his/her own verse to introduce him/herself to the next child, and so forth until each child has had a turn. The tune is taken from "Jock Stewart," a traditional Irish ballad and Scottish drinking song, popularized by Jeannie Robertson and Archie Fisher.


COME SINGING WITH ME
Music: "Jock Stewart" (traditional)
New lyrics: Stephen L. Suffet © 2002

My name it is [name of child]
I'm a handsome young lad [lass],
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come singing with me,
And together we'll sing without end.


Examples:

My name it is Sarah,
I'm a handsome young lass,
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come singing with me,
And together we'll sing without end.

My name it is Sean,
I'm a handsome young lad,
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come singing with me,
And together we'll sing without end.


Variations:

Substitute "dancing" for "singing" and "dance" for "sing," like so:

My name it is Wanda,
I'm a handsome young lass,
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come dancing with me,
And together we'll dance without end.


Or "waltzing" and "waltz," for example:

My name it is Ishmael,
I'm a handsome young lad,
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come waltzing with me,
And together we'll waltz without end.


And a possible last verse which the leader can sing:

My name it is [your own name],
I'm a handsome old lad [lass],
And I'm happy to call you my friend,
So count one, two, three,
And come singing with me,
And together we'll sing to the end.


Enjoy the song!

--- Steve