Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny

Subject: Childhood Song in Canada
From: GUEST,Lindy
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 02:42 PM

When I was a child going to school in Ontario, Canada in the early 1960's and in about Grade 3 we used to sing a song that I don't remember the title of or all the verses. I have never been able to track it down in children's song books so hopefully someone might recall the name of it and all the verses. Also, don't know if it was a song only taught to Canadian school children or not.
Here is what I remember and it went something like this,

All alone for a loaf of bread
All alone went Johnny
Watch the traffic his mother said
Yes, answered Johnny
But he forgot what his mother said
And he forgot the light was red
He felt a big bump
And he thought he was dead
??????????????????
??????????????????

I believe it was a song to teach safety to children when crossing the street.
That's all I can remember, although I know there were more verses.
If anyone knows who wrote it, the name of the song and the complete song verses, I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada
From: Susan of DT
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 04:37 PM

Not the same song, but related songs to teach children safety and songs to teach tolerance:
Previous thread
See particularly Let the ball roll in this thread as a similar song.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Guest - Cathy
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 02:00 AM

Wow! I went to school in Canada in the 60's (also late 50's)
as a child and this song sounds so familiar to me. I even came across an old book of children's rhymes (from Canada) but could not find that song.
Seems like he (the little boy)did get hit by a car and he was ok but I do not recall how the verses went.
I think there were more verses like you said and I wish I could remember them. Did go to the thread menioned by Susan of DT but did not know any of the songs on that thread.
I hope someone will know this song you are trying to track down as I am curious myself now.
Ha, maybe Joni Mitchell knows of it. She went to school as a child in Canada but not in Ontario, although that song might have been taught to children in all the provinces and territories of Canada.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Janice Currie
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 08:05 PM

Funny, I was thinking of this today and thinking I should teach it to the little girls next door!
The song I remember was about 'Jerry'; not Johnny.

All alone for a loaf of bread, all alone went Jerry
Watch the signal, his Mother said; yes, answered Jerry.
but he forgot what his Mother said, and he forgot the light was red,
He felt a big bump and he thought he was dead,
Poor little Jerry.

They carried him home and they put him to bed,
Poor little Jerry.
You're lucky you're living, the Doctor said. Yes, answered Jerry,
They bandaged his leg, they bandaged his head, I'll never do that again, he said.
I'll always watch when the light is red.
Wise little Jerry.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lindy
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 01:16 AM

Hi Janice,

That is probably the right name (Jerry) (not Johnny) :-)
So long ago when I learned this song, I knew it started with a "J."
I think this may very well be the song! Now that I have read your message about this song, I do recall the verses now about the Doctor, and especially now remember "They bandaged his leg,they bandaged his head, I'll never do that again, he said,"

Thanks very much! Did you also go to school in Canada?

Wow! Never thought I would hear back from someone who knew this children's song from so long ago! Really appreciate it!!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lindy
Date: 18 Nov 12 - 02:01 AM

To Janice Currie (Posted message on 12, Nov. 12)

Or to anyone else who knows the answer.

Do you know who the writer is of this song - written so long ago for school children in Canadian schools?

Do you know the actual title of the song?

I can still remember the tune - singing it as I type this message!:-)

We used to sing it all the time in school in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Janice Currie
Date: 23 Dec 12 - 09:22 PM

Hi,
Sorry for not responding sooner. I had forgotten I had written this post.
I have no idea what the name of the song is/was. We called it "All Alone for a Loaf of Bread" but that probably wasn't the real title.
I went to school in Toronto and think I must have learned this about 1960.
Regards.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 11:44 AM

I learnt this song when at school in Ontario in the late 60's.
So pleased to find this link, as over the last 25 years there hasn't been a day I haven't thought of the song...... I married a Jerry!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 07:16 PM

Yes, I remember the Jerry song very well and taught it to my four or five year old in the mid fifties. We lived in Saskatchewan where she attended a Montessori School. It is interesting to me as an octogenarian to see the development of children's literature. As a child growing up in the depression, we had no books but stories were handed down by parents or relatives and included a lot of vocal sounds. I especially remember things like, Little Red Riding Hood and the the fun parts of, What big teeth you have, Grandmother/the better to eat you my dear sort of things. My children had books that were read to them along with little rhymes and songs. My grandchildren (l980's) had the books, plus videos such as LADY AND THE TRAMP, SESAME STREET BARNEY, etc. Now my great great grand daughter lives in the big city of London, UK and and has all of the above plus videos of her reading, dancing singing.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 16 - 08:01 AM

All alone for a loaf of bread
All alone went Jerry
Watch the signals his mother said
yes, answered Jerry
But he forgot what his mother said
And he forgot that the light was red
He felt a big bump...
And he thought he was dead
Poor little Jerry

They took him home
And they put him to bed
Poor little Jerry
Lucky you're living the doctor said
Yes, answered Jerry
They mended his leg
And they mended his head
I'll never forget again he said
I'll always STOP....
when the light is red
Wise little Jerry

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lindy
Date: 25 Apr 16 - 07:54 PM

So happy to see that people remember this song. I can still sing it and remember the tune. I remembered most of the verses but had forgot a few lines here and there. So very glad to see the entire song in print again. Many, many thanks!!!
We sang it in Ontario, Canada during in late 50's & early 60's.
I wonder if it was taught or sung in schools later then that time?

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 19 Nov 16 - 06:06 PM

I am so happy to find the lyrics to this song!! I went to school in Nova Scotia in the 1970's (elementary) and I remember this song very well! I still hum it to myself and want to teach the children at my school. What a great memory and a happy blast from the blast!!
Thanks-you!!
Dan

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 17 - 05:27 PM

Ha! Learned this song in the 70s in North Bay, Ontario. Was singing it to my teenager just yesterday as a joke and now neither one of us can get it out of our heads. I Googled it on a lark and never thought I would find anything. Thanks, guys, this is awesome!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 17 - 05:01 PM

Right on!! I have taught this song to so many little ones and I was taught it in kindergarten. Ontario, Canada.
We sang it JERRY...
only difference is we sang, "They mended his leg and they mended his head. I'll never forget again, he said. I'll always stop when the light is red. Wise little Jerry."

I love it!!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 18 - 08:09 AM

Nostalgia!!!!Too funny...I woke up with this song in my head & was happy to find it as I googled it!
I grew up in Midland Ontario 1949-2018... it was part of the "Health & Safety" curriculum. "Elmer the Safety Elephant " used to visit the school & teach street smart rules. As I drive down the roads now & see someone riding their bike on the wrong side of road I think of Elmer! He taught us to walk facing traffic...ride with traffic...stop lights etc. ??????????????We used to get stickers with safety rules so sticker books are not a new concept!

Remember Health class...we had to show our hands & nails on the desk to make sure they were clean?????. Thanks

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,John
Date: 09 Aug 21 - 12:17 PM

I was taught this song in the mid-1950s in kindergarten, in Vancouver, B.C. (University Hill Kindergarten, beside UBC). The only lyrics I remember are:
All alone for a loaf of bread,
all alone went Jerry.
Watch the signals, his mother said.
Watch the signals, or you'll be dead.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 06:36 AM

I learned this song in the early 40's in school in Scarborough.
I was looking up the lyrics for our great grandchildren. Most of our teachers played the piano. Robin in the Rain was another favourite
and White Coral Bells. Grade 3 we enjoyed the teacher reading Just Mary stories to us. At home (well before TV) someone in our family would play the piano and we would sing our hearts out. During the War it was even more important and we learned all the songs of that era. White Cliffs of Dover, When the Lights come on again, all over the world,etc.
Music is in our soul and during this COVID time, we are listening to
CD's on our Bose radio, calming and uplifting. June

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 02:00 PM

I've been trying to remember this song for the past year!! Thought it was Georgie not Johnny. And I thought there was a bus involved.   "All alone for a loaf of bread". Definitely it. It always frightened me when I was a kid. 1960s in Montreal.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Linda
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 10:33 PM

To Guest (17, Oct. 21)

Ah yes, "White Coral Bell" and "Are You Sleeping, Are You Sleeping, Brother John, Brother John?"
Well, we sung in French too but not going to attempt to figure how to spell the words in French. ??
I was in grade school in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 10:08 AM

I wish I could find the tune to the song about Jerry. If anyone can figure out a way to do that I'd appreciate it

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Guest from Burlington Ontario
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 02:11 PM

This song was taught to our children in the late 80's early 90's in Burlington Ontario by a teacher who had been teaching for over 30 years who learned it from her mother years ago. We are also trying to remember the tune. We thought it was a cute song especially when our kids sang "Poor little Jerry".

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 24 - 08:06 AM

I learnt this in school in England in the late 2950s

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 15 Apr 24 - 01:25 AM

Any mudcatters here who went to school in the late 1950's and 1960's in Windsor, Ontario Canada? I went to a school called Victoria (elementary school.) It might be called Victoria Street Elementary School.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Ronald
Date: 28 Mar 25 - 08:13 AM

I learned this song in the early 1940s when I was in public school in Montreal. I had forgotten most of the second verse. Thanks to you all for refreshing my memory!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: meself
Date: 28 Mar 25 - 11:11 AM

It's a little late now, but in response to GUEST, Lin: I went to elementary school in the '60s in Windsor - but don't believe I ever heard this song!

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 29 Mar 25 - 07:46 PM

Hello Meself,
We may have attended the same school in Windsor, Ontario.
We lived on a street called Dufferin Place in a four-plex apartment. My school was called Victoria Avenue I believe.
Our school,librarian was Mrs. Carlisle. She was so great in encouraging me to read and helped me find books that I was interested in like the children's mystery books by author, Enid Blyton.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: meself
Date: 30 Mar 25 - 11:18 AM

Lin: Maybe high school - WCI.

Subject: RE: Childhood Song in Canada-All alone went Johnny
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 31 Mar 25 - 03:57 PM

To Meself
I only went to grade school in Windsor. My family immigrated to USA (to California) so I didn't attend high school in Windsor.