ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'

Subject: 'Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: GUEST,Rich Pniewski
Date: 18 Mar 19 - 01:47 AM

A million years ago (actually forty) my seventh grade music class was taught what was apparently an Eastern European children's song called "Why are we waiting?" I still remember the first stanza and the voices of the girls who sang it on the recording that accompanied to songbook. I have found no reference to it online - here in this site the title is mentioned in reference to the songbook - and would like to find the lyrics and possibly hear the song. Can anybody here steer me the right way

The lyrics I remember are "Why are we waiting? The sun is high/Morning is spreading across the sky/This is a play day, happy and gay day/Many surprises we'll surely meet."

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting (Chaffee/Slovakian)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Mar 19 - 04:28 AM

WHY ARE WE WAITING?
(Slovakian Folk Song, text by Eleanor Alletta Chaffee)

Why are we waiting? The sun is high;
Morning is spreading across the sky.
Free as the swallow, Onward we follow,
There are a hundred new trails to try.

Pack up our knapsack with things to eat;
Forests are waiting for eager feet.
This is a play day, happy and gay day,
Many surprises we'll surely meet.

Source: Making Music Your Own, 1971 6th Grade Edition, published by Silver Burdett & Co. (page 81).

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Click to play (joeweb)

Here's a scan of the page: http://www.joe-offer.com/MudcatMIDI/2019/WhyAreWeWaiting.jpg

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: leeneia
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 11:37 AM

That's impressive, Joe. Lyrics, music and everything. I have downloaded the song to do on accordion.

Thanks for asking Rich.

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: GUEST,Rich Pniewski
Date: 20 Mar 19 - 01:51 PM

Thanks very much! Aside from the companion album to the text, has this ever been recorded? I'm beginning to think it's status as a "Slovakian folk song" is somewhat exaggerated since it is not to be found in any other collections.

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: GUEST,Bruce
Date: 10 Feb 24 - 06:45 PM

I had to search this up, and as you said, this thread is the only reference I found. Now, here is why I felt a need to search it up. I had my classical radio station on yesterday. The final movement of Dmerti Kabalevsky’s 4th piano concerto ie THIS SONG!

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Feb 24 - 10:05 PM

Kabalevsky piano concerto no 3 Eric Lin, piano MusicaNova Warren Cohen
Which movement?

Movements
1. Allegro Molto: 0:10
2. Andante con moto: 7:10
3. Presto: 13:22

Subject: RE: ADD: Why Are We Waiting, the sun is high...'
From: GUEST,Bruce
Date: 11 Feb 24 - 08:11 AM

4th piano concerto, third movement.