Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher

Subject: On the Loose....lyrics wanted.
From:
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 12:43 PM

I learned of this song while at camp one summer. I'd really appreciate it if someone would email the lyrics to me. Thanx.

Subject: RE: On the Loose....lyrics wanted.
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:05 PM

Can you give us a hint with lyrics? There's more than one song with that name! I know one by Steve Schuch with the refrain:
On the loose to climb a mountain
On the loose where I am free
On the loose to live my life
The way I think my life should be

Let me know if this is what you want!
Allison

Subject: Help: Publisher of 'On The Loose'
From:
Date: 17 Apr 00 - 06:19 PM

Greetings!

I'm trying to find out the publisher of "On the Loose" by Judith Keller, written in 1971. This is the song that is very popular with Girl Scouts.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mary McClintock

Subject: RE: Help: Publisher of 'On The Loose'
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 02:04 PM

refresh

Subject: ADD: On the Loose (camp song)
From: GUEST,cosmos42
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 04:19 PM

(yes, this is bringing up a really dead thread, but since I've been looking for YEARS for the original singer of On the Loose (which I too learned at camp), I am now a very happy camper).

The lyrics which I know (though there are a few variants that I've heard, particularly of the pine boughs line):

ON THE LOOSE
(Judith Keller)

CHORUS
On the loose to climb a mountain
On the loose where I am free
On the loose to live my life
The way I think my life should be.
For I've only got a moment
And the whole world left to see
I'll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.

Have you ever watched the sunrise
Turn the sky completely red?
Have you slept beneath the moon and stars
With a pine bough for your bed?
Do you sit and talk with friends
Though a word is never said?
Then you're just like me and
You've been on the loose.

On the loose to climb a mountain…
There's a trail that I'll be hiking
Just to see where it may go
Many places yet to visit
Many people yet to know
So in following my dreams
I will live and I will grow
On a trail that's waiting
Out there on the loose.

On the loose to climb a mountain…

So, in search of love and laughter
I'll be traveling through this land
Never sure of where I'm going
For I haven't any plans.
So in time when you are ready
Come and join me, take my hand,
And together we'll share life
Out on the loose

On the loose to climb a mountain…

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: On the Loose (camp song)
From: GUEST,cosmos42
Date: 24 Aug 15 - 11:55 PM

Update:

Just got the Steve Schuch CD in the mail, and he says that "It took three years to track down the songwriter, Judith Keller."

So while I'm not all the way back to the original yet, I'm a step closer.

Going to move any further updates over to this thread

---

Threads combined. -Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Subject: ADD Version: On the Loose (Judith Keller)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 01:08 AM

Cosmos 42, you'll notice that I struck out your link to another thread and combined the two threads. For the most part, we're better off with a "one song, one thread" policy unless a song generates hundreds of messages.


"On the Loose" is #73 in Sangam Git / Sangam Songbook, published in 1997 by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. for the Friends of Sangam Committee, U.S.A.
Unfortunately, the book does not give more specific information about contacting the copyright holder, but here are the lyrics as printed in the book. I'll transcribe a MIDI upon request.

ON THE LOOSE
(Judith Keller)

Have you ever watched a sunrise
Turn the sky completely red?
Have you slept beneath the moon and stars,
A pine grove for your bed?
Do you sit and talk with friends
Though a word is never said?
Then you're just like me
And you've been on the loose.

CHORUS
On the loose to climb a mountain
On the loose where I am free
On the loose to live my life
The way I think my life should be.
For I've only got a moment
And the whole world yet to see.
I'll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.

There's a trail that I'll be hiking,
Just to see where it might go.
Many places yet to visit,
Many people yet to know.
For in following my dreams
I will live and I will grow
In a world that's waiting out there on the loose.

CHORUS

So in search of love and laughter
I am traveling 'cross this land
Never sure of where I'm going,
For I haven't any plans.
And in time when you are ready,
Come and join me, take my hand,
And together we'll share life out there on the loose.

CHORUS

©1971, Judith Keller


So, for publisher information, I'd suggest you contact Girl Scouts U.S.A.

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,cosmos42
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 01:30 AM

Good call, thanks.

Does anyone reading this have a copy of "Together Again" (songbook) by Kate Stickings (or Fearey) and Millie Taylor?   Not only is On the Loose in there, but there's also another song by Judith Keller, "Open Your Eyes" which I'd love to know more about. (that, and maybe the songbook will help me get a step closer to finding the original)

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,cosmos42
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 01:33 AM

At least according to the US Copyright Office, the copyright holder is Judith Keller, not a publisher. But thanks for the lead, I'll try contacting them to see if they at least know how to reach her.

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 02:07 AM

I've been tracking camp songs for years, and the origins of most of them are still a mystery to me. I've spent years on "Barges" and "Spider's Web." Many of the songs published in Girl Scout songbooks come from leaders or former leaders, and the Girl Scouts are sometimes helpful in making contact with the copyright holders.

You may find our Scout Songbooks Indexing PermaThread helpful in researching camp songs. Also, be aware that there is a thread indexing the songs from the Cooperative Recreation Service songbooks. Many of these songs were popular at camps, and in school songbooks.

I just finished lyrics research and copyrights permissions for 1300 songs for the Rise Again Songbook (1200 songs were accepted for the book). I'll tell you, getting copyright permissions was not an easy job. Sure was an interesting challenge, though.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,#
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 02:11 AM

Hey, cosmos, I just came across the following and thought you might wish to take note:

https://songscouting.wordpress.com/what-about-these/these-are-copyrighted/

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 12:03 PM

I've been looking for On the Loose for years too, though sporadically. It's good to know that the Girl Scouts can be a good source. Do you have a particular contact or department you'd recommend? (Pm me if you don't want to post it for posterity). While I don't know what different resources I have available, I'd be happy to pitch in for Barges and Spider's Web.

And what a coincidence, I found that copyright list last night too! An invaluable resource (and I've already messaged the site master since "On the Loose"'s entry indicates that she got permission.)

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,darcilyna
Date: 19 Jul 16 - 11:48 PM

How fun! I ran across this looking for the songwriter of "On the Loose" and am also curious of the origins of "Barges" as another is seeking :)

I lead songs for our local Girl Scout Day camp and am trying to ensure the next generation learns the class Girl Scout songs along with the new.

In Scouting,
D

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST, Math Lady
Date: 03 Sep 17 - 03:25 PM

Greetings from Cape Cod. I am the person you are looking for. I wrote "On The Loose" in 1971. If I can be of any help, please contact me.

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,Marty
Date: 09 Oct 17 - 05:29 PM

Could you please tell us more about the origins of the song? I've known it since 1973 and have heard various tails -- it would be great to hear the truth directly from the writer!!!

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,teacher
Date: 11 Jan 18 - 05:26 PM

Hi- Math Lady. Could you please send me any information about your song as far as who wrote the lyrics and the melody? We have a teacher who passed away suddenly this past Jan 8th and this was his favorite song to play on the guitar and sing with our students. I can be reached here or at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 18 - 04:46 PM

Hello - I volunteer at a Girl Scout camp in California.   We've been singing this song at our camp since the 70's. We are recording a CD of camp music for our 50th anniversary, and plan to make it available for a modest donation to try to raise funds of for our camp. I am hoping to get permission from the composer for us to do this. Thanks, Anne Guiltinan. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: GUEST,thdanks
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 09:28 PM

I know the author, and rumor to the contrary, she's still alive and owns all rights. If you want to contact her, send me your email address and I'll forward it.

As for the origins, she was not sitting on a mountain top, but was in fact sitting in traffic on Long Island, NY, and wishing she was on a mountain.

Subject: RE: Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 10:50 PM

Hi, thdanks - if you'd like to give me the writer's contact information, I'll keep it on hand and pass it on when requested, but I won't publish it here.

Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor, [e-mail]