Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)

Subject: we may not pass this way again
From: reeebop
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 06:34 PM

i'm trying to revive and remember all the songs that i learned in grade school, but this one i can only remember a bit to and can't seem to find anywhere.

the part i remembr goes something like:

so lets go climb a mountain mister
drink from a bubblin' fountain sister
come along stranger come along friend
we may not pass this way again...

if anyone could help---I would be the most thankful little girl....

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way agai
From: GUEST,offbeat
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 02:33 AM

Wow, I'm looking for this too, and this is the only hit I got.

Here is what I recall...email if you want.

I'm off to find that journey's end
And I may not pass this way again

So lets go build some bridges mister
Lets go mend some fences sister

Come along stranger, Come along friend
I may not pass this way again

another parts was as above...
So lets go climb the mountains mister
drink from the bubbling fountains sister

may not have been plural as I've shown...
beautiful tune

email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 07:50 AM

Like the words - can you point me towards a recorded version? I'd like to buy the CD and learn it.
S:0)

Subject: Lyr Add: I MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN (Wizzell,
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 08:15 PM

I know that there's a pop song with a similar name, but:

Title:        The best fake book ever [music] : over 1000 songs         
Publication:        Milwaukee, Wi. : Hal Leonard, c1990         
Description:        1 score (766 p) ; 31 cm.         
Notes:        For piano, vocal, guitar, electronic keyboards and all 'c' instruments.         
ISBN:        0793500215         
Subject(s):        Popular music--Fake books
Piano music
Guitar music

has two songs:

I May Never Pass This Way Again
We May Never Pass This Way Again.

Regards, John

---

---

For the record, here is "I May Never Pass This Way Again" from the Hal Leonard fakebook:

I MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
(words and music by Murray Wizzell and Irving Melsher)

I'll give my hand to those who cannot see
The sunrise or the falling rain.
I'll sing my song, to cheer the weary along,
For I May Never Pass This Way Again.

I'll share my faith with every troubled heart,
So I shall not have lived in vain,
I'll give my hand, I'll sing my song,
I'll share my faith because I know
That the time is now, To fulfill each vow,
For I May Never Pass This Way Again.

Copyright 1957, Alley Music, Trio Music, and Cherio Music.

-Joe Offer, June 2008-
I wish I had the chance to pass John's way before he died. I always wanted to meet him.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: open mike
Date: 29 Jan 05 - 02:39 AM

IN THE 70'S sEALS AND cROFTS had a song called we may never pass this way again..

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 08:49 AM

WE MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY (AGAIN) by Seals and Crofts doesn't contain the lyrics that reeebop quoted.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way agai
From: GUEST,ferris
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:12 PM

I have been searching for this for ever. The first part goes:
I'm on my way to find a friend, and I may not pass this way again.
So let's go climb...

I have a meeting with the music teacher from my old grade school. I'm going to specifically find the full lyrics to this.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 03:25 PM

This song you are looking for, 'We may not Pass this Way Again' contains similar imagery to a song called 'Great High Mountain'.

At the top of the Great High Mountain there is a fountain with sweet waters which is supposed to make the climb worth while. The climb is a metophor for searching for God's truth and striving for Salvation. In the last verse, the singer invites his 'bbrthers' and 'sisters' to climb with the mountain with him.

I don't recall the lyrics off hand but that was the first thing I thought of when I read the Lyrics posted. I'm not suggesting that they are the same song, just that the lyrics share certain themes.

The song you are referring to is NOT the Seals & Crofts song, but I wouldn't be suprised if the Seals & Crofts song has some similarities to it. They injected a lot of very spritual imagery and mesaning into their songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: GUEST,SheikPrince
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 05:50 PM

That was a chick song. The girls in my class liked it, but secretly, I did too. Two BETTER songs from same book were:

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
eating all the gumdrops he can see
Laugh Kookaburra! Laugh Kookaburra!
Save some there for me.

and

Donkeys like to munch on carrots.
Carrots don't like that at all.
Hee-haw! Hee-haw!
Listen to the silly call.

Sound familiar??

Odd note: My music teacher at the time became very ill. She was the first woman ever diagnosed with "Toxic Shock Syndrome", caused by tampons.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: I MAY NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
From: GUEST,SheikPrince
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 06:07 PM

Ok. With the lyrics you guys have provided, I shall attempt to make a chordpro for "I May Not Pass This Way Again". The only chords it uses are G, C, and D. About as simple as you get. To my knowlege, this is how I rememebr this song. It is the best we can get at this point. ENJOY!! P.S. You should be honored as this is my first musical contribution to the internet.

I May Not Pass This Way Again
Author: Unknown
Transcribed by the Sheik Prince.

          G             G            C       G             D
I'm on my way to find a friend, and I may not pass this way again.
    C                   G            C                     G
So lets go build some bridges mister. Lets go mend some fences sister.
G                               C       G       C             G
Come along stranger, Come along friend. I may not pass this way again.


          G             G            C       G             D
I'm on my way to find a friend, and I may not pass this way again.
    C                     G             C                        G
So lets go climb the mountains mister. Drink from the bubbling fountain, sister.
G                               C       G       C             G
Come along stranger, Come along friend. I may not pass this way again.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: we may not pass this way again
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 03:01 PM

Oy,

I must have had the same music teacher, or at least the same record. (circa 1985). Although I recall Kookaburra was "merry, merry king of the bush [is he]." I googled 'pass this way' to see if there were any other verses. I remember it being a bit more plaintive:


                   G                     Em
I'm off to find   my journey's end

            C          G                  D
And I may not pass this way again

         C                         F#/Bm
So let's go build some bridges, mister

         C                         F#/Bm
Drink from the bubbling fountain, sister

         G                                  F#/Bm
Come along stranger, come along friend...

             G          D               G
For I may not pass this way again.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,Hudson
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 02:12 PM

Wow!! I learned this song in third grade and had the same experience of never forgetting it but not remembering all the lyrics either. It is a haunting little song.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,mwatson
Date: 05 Jun 08 - 12:35 PM

I learned this song in the late 70's in my elementary. If anyone finds it available anywhere, please let me know. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 11:31 PM

Google Book Search seems to indicate that the words and music to I MAY NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN are included in a school songbook called "Exploring Music" by Eunice Boardman and Beth Landis, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971, page 9.

However, only "snippets" are viewable at Google Book Search; hence my uncertainty. But if I am reading the tiny print correctly, the songwriter is Rod McKuen. Can anyone confirm this?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 02:04 AM

Well, you're good, Jim - but you didn't say what grade level...


It's not in eight different volumes of Exploring Music from about that time (but not exactly those dates), with no luck. I don't have the eighth-grade book. Oh - Google says it's Grade 5, 1971...and I have the 1966 edition. Isn't it immoral to expose fifth-graders to songs by Rod McKuen?

I have to confess that somewhere in this house I have a copy of Rod McKuen: Big, Smarmy Hits (or something like that). I bought it for my ex in a moment of tenderness because she used to like Rod McKuen - and then I took it in spite when she kicked me out of the house.....
I looked for it on the shelf labeled "macho hermaphroditic pseudo-intellectual pseudo-folksingers," but I couldn't find it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jun 08 - 05:34 PM

Joe: You actually have a shelf with that label, huh? I imagine the shelf is empty now that your Rod McKuen is gone. (Is that a book or an album?) I went and checked Google Sets (I just learned about that site from Stilly River Sage today.) to see who it might associate with Rod McKuen, and it came up with Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, and Harry Nilsson. Now, those guys are not high on my list of favorite songwriters, but it seems unfair to put them on a level with Rod McKuen.

I tried to think of who I WOULD classify with Rod McKuen, and it's hard to come up with anything.

The best I could do was

Rod McKuen : poetry :: Thomas Kinkade : painting

Hmmm. I might start a thread on this subject.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 04:18 AM

No Rod McKuen experts out there who can give us an answer?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 04:21 PM

Wow...what a coincidence. I learned this song in 5th grade and still remember snippets of it. It's a beautiful song so please let us know if anyone can get their hands on the full version.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,Gabe in North Dakota
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 12:37 PM

Love this song... learned it in elementary school

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,I guess we will pass this way again...
Date: 14 Feb 09 - 12:04 PM

I'm enjoying the fact that so many of us were led here on searches for a song we heard 30 years ago. Many times over the years the words and melody will bubble up in my brain, so today I decided to google a phrase and found this page. I too learned it in 5th Grade Music class (Line Creek Elementary, Kansas City, MO). Happy to have a few more, if not all, of the words to go along with the haunting little tune. I hope someone records it and posts to YouTube! I'd love to hear it outside my head!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,The Terrible Tobidian
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 08:30 PM

For me it was 5th grade? san diego,CA 1981?

I think this was the final refrain...

"I'm going to find the rainbows end,

And I may not pass this way again,

so lets go climb a mountain, mister,

Drink from a bubbling fountain, sister,

come along stranger

Come along Frieeeeeend---

...For I may not pass this way again."

as I recall ech very would introduce another person --- Mister then Sister --- but I could be wrong.


Sorry, that's all I (think I) remember.

if you guys find it, please let me know. I'd love a copy of that book. Happiest part of my life in San Diego (not that SD was bad).

Kookaburra was in there. The other song that sticks in my head was another song I considered bewitching,

The Erie Canal

Words and Music By: William S. Allen

I've got a mule,
Her name is Sal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker
And a good old pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal and hay
And ev'ry inch of the way I know
From Albany to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.
Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.

We better get along
On our way, old gal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Cause you bet your life
I'd never part with Sal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Git up there, mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock.
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.
Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.

I hope that helps you guys in nailing down the book. I'll check back.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,The Terrible Tobidian
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 08:59 PM

Actually those Erie Canal lyrics were not what I recall. This is:

I've got a mule, her name is Sal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a good old pal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal
We've hauled some barges in our day
filled with lumber, coal and hay
And we know every inch of the way from
Albany to Buffalo.

Chorus:
Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge for we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor, you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

We better get along on our way ol'gal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal
'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal.
Git up there mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome about 6 o'clock
One more trip and back we'll go,
...right back home to Buf-fa-lo.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,The Guy from Milwaukee
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 10:28 PM

I remember all of these songs from elementary school !!!

*I May Not Pass This Way Again
*The Erie Canal

*Kookaburra (Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, merry merry King of the bush is he. Laugh Kookaburra! Laugh Kookaburra! Gay your life must be).

*Don Gato (Oh, Senor Don Gato was a cat. On a high red roof Don Gato sat. He wa there to read a letter - meow,meow,meow - where the reading light was better - meow,meow,meow - t'was a love note for Don Gato!).

*Tangaleo (song about a donkey, not sure of the spelling).

*Horse in Striped Pajamas (song about a kid whose dad takes him to the zoo. Calls a zebra a horse in striped pajamas).


Good times.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,Denver Girl
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 11:34 AM

I just remembered this song from when I was in elementary school. We had to sing it at my 5th grade graduation in 1988. That was in Columbus, Ohio. SO Spooky. Who were these music teachers who were all using the same song book??

I seem to remember not only:
climb the mountains mister
drink from the bubbling fountain sister but also:

So let's go run the ridges mister
let's go cross the bridges sister...

And should we be telling our children through song to go traveling around with some random "mister"?
Although I do love the song. :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,smillertx281
Date: 07 Jun 09 - 10:09 PM

I think we all learned this at the same time. Here's how I've remembered it:

I'm off to find that journey's end
And I may not pass this way again,
So let's go run the ridges mister
Let's go find the rainbow sister
Come along stranger, come along friend
I may not pass this way again.

Let's live the day until its end
For we may not pass this way again,
So let's go build the bridges mister
Let's go pick the flowers sister
Come along stranger, come along friend
We may not pass this way again.


This one's up there with "Don Gato", "Kookaburra", and "Marching to Pretoria" for songs that stick in your head forever.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 06:58 AM

It sounds like its based on the early Quaker William Penn ( Quakers are also known as friends)

Any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
   - William Penn

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 24 Jun 09 - 09:38 PM

This rules. Mrs. Nixon is out there somewhere singing this song in Michigan. Come along stranger, come along friend...I may not pass this way again......

Subject: Lyr Add: I MAY NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
From: GUEST,Anna (GUEST)
Date: 08 Jul 09 - 10:17 AM

I know the whole lyrics. It goes like this.

I MAY NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
(Rod McKuen)

I'm on my way to find a friend
And I may not pass this way again,
So let's go build the bridges, mister.
Let's go pick the flowers, sister.
Come along, stranger. Come along, friend.
I may not pass this way again.

I'm off to find that journey's end,
And I may not pass this way again,
So let's go run the ridges, mister.
Let's go find the rainbow, sister.
Come along, stranger. Come along, friend.
I may not pass this way again.

Let's live the day until its end,
'Cause we may not pass this way again,
So let's go climb the mountain, mister.
Drink from a bubblin' fountain, sister.
Come along, stranger. Come along, friend.
I may not pass this way again.

Every year in my elementary school for 5th grade graduation, the graduating class sings this every year. It's been a tradition for so long. My time has come and passed to sing this. I hope you will enjoy this song. It has a very beautiful tone.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: I May Not Pass This Way Again
From: GUEST,Kathy
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 12:36 PM

Hello all!
   I have been looking for years for a song we sang in high school choir. It is similar to those you mention but not quite. The chorus went

I shall pass this way but once.
And if there's any good that I can do
Let me do it now
For I'll never pass this way again.

Tomorrow may be too late my friend
To do all the good that we planned
So reach out to those that need you
And give them a helping hand

Does anyone recognize this version? I would love to get a copy of the music! This song has been in my head for many, many years. Thanks!

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 03:22 PM

Gee, I wonder how many schools have chosen Rod McKuen songs for their graduation ceremonies. I hope they're still not doing that nowadays, although I'm sure there are some unrepentant polyester principals who are still secretly in love with dottering, old Rod. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I found a book in Google Books that has the first verse and melody.

Lyrics are the same as what Anna posted above.

I'm on my way to find a friend
And I may not pass this way again,
So let's go build the bridges, mister.
Let's go pick the flowers, sister.
Come along, stranger. Come along, friend.
I may not pass this way again.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST,Patti T
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 11:43 AM

Wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has been singing this in her head all these years. We sang this in elementary school in Illinois in the mid 70's.

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen
From: GUEST,Jill
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 04:24 PM

Thanks for all the efforts to find this song. I have always wanted the lyrics. We sang it, yes, you guessed it, in the 5th grade and I was moving from Maryland to Minnesota so it was a sad time to leave all my Baltimore friends. Thanks for all the posts! Jill-Minnesota

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST,Victor
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:40 PM

This is one of the most amazing internet-created experiences I've had (and I make websites). I've been looking for this song on and off for most of my life. We sang it in second grade, and it never left my head.

How amazing that this song was so powerful, that other people searched, and we were all connected. I love that five years have passed since the original post and still people keep searching- and finding.

Thanks infinitely- this is the end of a long search. I wish I could hear the song again, but this is almost as good.

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 12:30 AM

Victor, I think you'll find it on YOUTUBE. Give it a try.

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 12:35 AM

rod @ mckuen . com

Victor, you can write to him at the above address. Remove spaces on both sides of the @ and both sides of the .

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 12:56 AM

rod @ mckuen . com

Victor, you can write to him at the above address. Remove spaces on both sides of the @ and both sides of the .

Subject: Lyr Add: I MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 02:11 AM

I remeber a song back in 1958 sung by Ronnie Hilton called I may never pass this way. HMV POP468 1958 I May Never Pass This Way Again

I don'tsuppose it couldbe the same one could it?

You can listen to a snippet here

http://www.7digital.com/artists/ronnie-hilton/the-very-best-of-ronnie-hilton/06-A-Windmill-In-Old-Amsterdam/

It was also sung by Perry Como

I MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN
(Murray Wizel / Irving Melcher)

Perry Como - 1958
Robert Earl - 1958
Jo Stafford - ?


I'll give my hand to those who cannot see,
The sunshine or the fallin' rain.

I'll sing my song to cheer the weary along,
For I may never pass this way again!

I'll share my faith with every troubled heart,
So I shall not have lived in vain.

I'll give my hand, I'll sing my song,
I'll share my faith, because I know,
That the time is now to fulfill each vow,
For I may never pass this way again!

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 02:13 AM

For mudcatters in England - Ronnie Hilton was born in Hull

Subject: RE: ADD: I May Not Pass This Way Again (Rod McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 10:11 PM

That song has been playing in my head since 5th grade. Has it been there for 32 years?? Can't wait to pass this along to "Mrs. Florida", my 5th grade music teacher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 08 May 10 - 07:39 AM

I believe this is what you all are looking for. Check the link below.
http://www2.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/education/sctemp/9248d2ed9c87088d6637d0a9756619f8/1273318073/Campfire_songs.doc

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 May 10 - 05:30 PM

GUEST,Kate's link didn't work for me, so I spent some time searching the http://www2.cabarrus.k12.nc.us web site until I found the document containing I MAY NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN ... and guess what? The lyrics are exactly the same as those already posted by GUEST,Anna above, on 08 Jul 09 - 10:17 AM.

Why do people do that?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST,Vicki
Date: 18 May 10 - 09:39 PM

These postings, as old as they may be, have been a blessing. I have been looking for these lyrics since I started teaching elementary general music back in 1999. My old music teacher told me he couldn't remember what book it was from, but thought it was in an old Silver Burdett book. I have had my 2nd graders perform 2 verses of this song with the lyrics that I recalled in addition to me playing strictly chords on the piano. I would love to get my hands on one of these books mentioned. I couldn't get any of the links to work except for the one that says google books. However, I'm very grateful to at least have the lyrics now. Yeah!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 10 - 08:49 PM

I learned the song between 1972 and 1977 at St. Mary's in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Our music teacher was Mr. Grunwald (sp?-- he told us in 1st grade his name was German, and that it meant "Green Forest"-- still can't forget that) and he taught us all those old classics: Camptown Races, Shortenin' Bread, Grandfather's Clock, Atcheson/Topeka/Santa Fe, Give My Regards to Broadway, etc.

I especially liked the real oldies. I am thankful that our generation was brought up on rock n' roll, and so we have ties all the way back to the 50s music. But I'm bothered that we really have no ties before the 50s. Where's the 40s/30s/20s songs? Satellite radio is our best bet, but I'm guessing our generation is 99% unfamiliar with these songs. (I will give a shout out to Springsteen, who did the era homage by putting "Erie Canal" and others on his 2006 album "We Shall Overcome.")   We need good music teachers like Mr. Grunwald to keep this stuff alive.

He passed on his own way sometime in the late 80s/early 90s. I wasn't real close to him, but man, these songs sometimes pop into my head, and I will of course never forget him. Rest in peace, Mr. Grunwald.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 04:44 PM

Awesome, I was searching for this song a couple months ago, "I may not pass this way again." I might have tried more than once to find this song.

I did a lyrics search and kept finding songs by Seals and Crofts, and Perry Como. But from some of the entries, it looks like it was written by Rod McKuen. And someone who google book search found it was in "Exploring Music" by Eunice Boardman and Beth Landis, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971, page 9.

Thanks to everyone who tried to figure this one out! I remember this song from my music class in 5th grade, 1987-88. And also the Kookaburra song and the Erie Canal song, as others have mentioned in this query.

I do remember looking at the credits, back in 5th grade, to the songs from the elementary school song books. And I remember seeing that some of these songs were folk songs from the early 70's, maybe early 60's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 11 - 07:06 PM

Hi, just fyi, we did a cover of this song just for fun, if you wanna give it a listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDf4CbANh1k

peace!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 10:31 PM

im on my way to find a friend and i may not pass this way again so lets go build the bridges mister pick the flowers in the meadow sister come along stranger come along friend i may not pass this way again

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 11:42 PM

The Song Title "I May Not Pass This Way Again" (or slight variation) was often used in those 'humourous notices' allegedly of church social events with various performers of dubious quality.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST,Tori
Date: 05 May 11 - 11:10 PM

I love this song. Absolutely to no end. <3

We sang it for my 5th grade graduation in 2008. My music teacher, Ms. Rackar (sp?), had a whole collection of music books. Every school and every time new books were brought in, she would still keep about 5 of the old ones. I remember 'Kookaburra" and the Gato cat song, among many others. <3

I broke down crying when we sang this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 10:19 PM

What a great 20+ minutes I've had reading these posts. As with everyone else, I've been singing snippets of all of the songs mentioned in here since I "graduated" from the 6th grade back in 1982. So much fun to reminice as I was my friends' children "graduate" to middle-school this year!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I May Not Pass This Way Again (McKuen)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 07:06 AM

Wow. Thank you so very much. I, too, have been sining snippets of this song in my head since elementary school. However, we did not sing it as a graduation piece, but as a memorial to one of my classmates, Melissa, who drowned. There is a beautiful funtain and a painted mural by teacher and students for her. Never would have thoughthis song was so popular. It was chance that I just decided to try looking it up. So thank you again.