S - If a query has come in to which there is no answer, as yet, that songtitle will appear in boldface, and in red.

SCHOOL DAYS

SCRATCH, SCRATCH, ITCH, ITCH — a Christmas song

SEVEN OLD LADIES (see Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be on “O” page)

SHE'LL BE COMIN' ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME

SKINAMARINK

STARS ARE THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

STATES SONG — any more verses out there?

 PLAY (STAY) IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

SCHOOL DAYS

Request from Connie (see "a" page for other questions from her)

School days, school days,

Dear old golden rule days.

'Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic,

Taught to the tune of a hick'ry stick.

You were my queen in calico,

I was your bashful barefoot beau,

And you wrote on my slate,

'I love you, Joe,'

When we were a couple of kids.

SCRATCH, SCRATCH, ITCH, ITCH

From Peggy L.

 I just discovered your site. I could spend hours on it! I have been looking for the lyrics to a christmas song for kids. I have some of the words. It starts:

 Scratch, scratch.

 Itch, Itch

 Golly Gee.

 I'm as sad as I can be.

 Jimmy got an electric train.

 Johnny got an aeroplane.

 It's only natural I complain,

 I got the chicken pox for Christmas!

 I was gay and full of glee

 Then came this awful tragedy.

 Everything seems to happen to me.

 I got the Chicken Pox for Christmas!

 ..................................Any help with the rest??????

 thanks, Peggy Leon

SHE'LL BE COMIN' ROUND THE MOUNTAIN --- the story behind the song

      Q. from Fred Bush: What is the story behind this song? Who is the woman coming around the mountain, why is she in pajamas and driving six white horses??

       Addenda: Someone came up with it being a Union song and the woman was some Union organizer and they gave me her name and I have now drawn a blank on it. It seems it was Ma something. I couldn t' find her on the internet so am still wondering.

      A. I have tried to check this interesting question out. The only information that I've turned up is in the Alan Lomax book, "Songs of North America" wherein he relates the song to railroading, and the steam engine. Anyone out there know any more about it?

And from Wikipedia:

“The song was based on an old Negro spiritual titled When the Chariot Comes. . .

             the original lyrics of When the Chariot Comes:

“O, who will drive the chariot When she comes? O, who will drive the chariot When she comes? O, “who will drive the chariot, O, who will drive the chariot, O, who will drive the chariot When she “comes?

King Jesus, he'll be driver when she comes, When she comes . . . .

She'll be loaded with bright Angels When she comes . . . .

She will neither rock nor totter, When she comes . . . .

She will run so level and steady, When she comes . . . .

She will take us to the portals, When she comes . . . .

“While it is not entirely clear who the "she" in the song refers to, there are various plausible interpretations. One interpretation suggests that "she" is the train that will be coming through the tracks that are being laid out by workers. Another possible interpretation suggests that "she" refers to union organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones going to promote formation of labor unions in the Appalachian coal mining camps. White horses are a symbol of the mythological stature of Mother Jones and the rest of the song is related to the celebration which would ensue after her arrival.”

SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME

Q. from Marty H.: Looking for the lyrics to Show Me the Way to Go Home

A. 1. Show me the way to go home

I'm tired and I want to go to bed

I had a little drink about an hour ago

And it went right to my head

Where ever I may roam

On land or sea or foam

You will always hear me singing this song

Show me the way to go home

[Ed Note: from many a ‘round the campfire sing-a-long:]

2. Indicate the path to my abode

I'm fatigued and I wish to retire

I had a big beverage sixty minutes ago

And it went right to my cerebellum

Where ever I may perambulate

On land, or sea or atmospheric vapor

You can always hear me crooning the melody

Indicate the way to my abode

SKINAMARINK

Sandy S. hello, I am looking for the words of skinna ma rink. ma do. I am not sure of the title really. my dad used to play it on the harmonica. I work with mentally handicapped children. They are all autistic. I would like to be able to sing songs to them that mean something to me. I sang You Are My Sunshine this past week. I think it went over well.

Do you know of skinna ma rink?? Can you send me the words. I would appreciate it very much

 Sandy S

SKINAMARINK A DINK A DINK

Author Unknown (but well-known version on an early Sharon, Lois and Bram recording)

Skinamarink - a dink - a dink

Skinamarink - a doo!

I love you!

Skinamarink - a dink - a dink

Skinamarink - a doo!

I love you!

I love you in the morning

and in the afternoon

I love you in the evening

and underneath the moon!

Oh, Skinamarink - a dink - a dink

Skinamarink - a doo!

 I LOVE YOU!!!

STARS ARE THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

From: Karen J

Subject: looking for lyrics of a song: Stars are the Windows of Heaven

Hi there!My sister and I were recently on a trip dealing with matters of the death of our father,on the long ride home, we were discussing memories. We remember our Mother singing to us the song, Stars are the Windows of Heaven. We were trying to sing, but unfortunately we couldn't remember all the lyrics. (Maybe that wasn't an altogether bad thing if you've ever heard us sing! lol) This has sent me on a quest to find the lyrics, we will soon be making another trip, and I thought it might be fun, if we could actually sing the whole song. Any help will be appreciated.

And thanks for your great site, it sure has brought back a flood of memories.

Warm Regards,

Karen J.

A.this sounds right. Thanks to Candis B. who writes: I found this available by two different performers. The first one is an album by Anne Murry entitled “Now and Forever” from 1994 (disc 2). The second on is by The Deep River Boys entitled “London Harmony.” The following lyrics are from the version as sung by The Deep River Boys (I downloaded it from the iTunes music store at apple.com for 99¢).

THE STARS ARE THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

Stars are the windows, the windows of Heaven

For people like you and people like me.

Stars are the windows of Heaven where angels peep through;

Up in the sky they keep an eye on kids like me and you.

They cry each time we are naughty, their tear drops are the rain

But when we are good, they are smiling and they shine again.

Stars are the windows of Heaven where angels peep through;

(hoo do do do doot doot doot doot do, hoo do do do doot doot doot doot do)

They cry each time we are naughty, their tear drops are the rain

But when we are good, they are smiling and they shine again.

Oh! Stars are the windows of Heaven where angels peep through,

Where angels peep through.

A2 and here’s another slight variant

From:   Elizabeth F: Someone wanted the words to the song

STARS ARE THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

  Stars are the windows of heaven

  Where angels peek through.

  Up in the sky they keep an eye

  On kids like me and you.

  They cry each time we are naughty;

  Their tear drops are the rains.

  But when we're good they are happy,

  And then they shine again.

  My Mom said, "Stars are the windows of Heaven

  Where angels peek through".

  My granddaughter and I sing this each night and add "and Grandad" right after

the last "angels".

And, From John D (who adds a whole new introductory verse):

Many months ago now I sent you the words to "Stars are the Windows of Heaven" in response to a "lost" from "Karen J" They weren't printed, (email may be in space somewhere between Australia and you — Ed. Note: They probably still be floating around somewhere in email never-never land, John) but I have just checked and you have two sets of words for the song. However there is an opening verse prior to those printed. The song goes as follows:

Two little kids, watching the sky, one of them said, I wonder why,

All of the stars are shining so bright, when there wasn't a star last night

I've often wondered, what is a star, the other one said - here's what they are.

Stars are the windows of heaven, that Angels peek through,

Up in the sky they keep an eye, on kids like me and you

They cry each time we are naughty, their tear drops are the rain,

But when we're good they keep smiling and they shine again,

Stars are the windows of heaven - that Angels peek through.

It would be great if Karen was alerted to the additional words.

 Regards, John D.

(THE) STATES SONG — any more verses out there?

    Q: From J. M. I remember parts of a silly song I would like to share with grandchildren.

    Do you know where I could find the words to a song (or it may be a marching cadence chant) that includes such questions/answers as: What did Tenne see, boys - what did Tenne see Saw what Arkansas,boys, that's what she did see. What did Mississip pi Sipped up Minne a sota (soda) Why did Califon ya Just phoned to say Ha wa i (How are you) Where has Ore gone Gone to pay her Texas (taxes) What did Dela ware Wore her brand New Jersey. I'd be most appreciative if you can tell me the name and lyrics of this "silly song."

    A. We used to sing that to the tune of "The Farmer In The Dell." Here are a few other verses that I know:

Where has Oregon. . .I don't know but Al-aska

What did Io-wa . . .She weighed a Washing-ton

What did Ohi- (h)o . . .She hoed what Ida- ho(ed)