Ultimate Collection of Camp Songs

Camp Songs for Grace

Adam’s Family Grace

(To the tune of The Adams Family)

na na na nah (snap fingers twice)

na na na nah (snap fingers twice)

na na na nah (sing three times)

(then snap fingers twice)

We’ve filled our plates and dishes

With food that is delicious/nutritious

And all that we wish is

To thank you very much

na na na nah (snap fingers twice)

na na na nah (snap fingers twice)

na na na nah (sing three times)

(then snap fingers twice)

Back to the top

Eat, Eat, Eat your meal

Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Eat, eat, eat your meal

The less you talk

The better you will feel

Back to the top

God is Great!

(Tune of “Rock Around the Clock”)

God is great, God is good

And we’re gonna thank Him for our food

We’re gonna thank Him morning, noon, and night

We’re gonna thank you, Lord, You’re otta sight!

Amen! Ch ch ch ch ch, ch, ch

Amen! Ch ch ch ch ch, ch, ch

AMEN!

Back to the top

Repeat After Me Songs

Great Big Moose

Check out this video to learn the rhythm.

There Was a Great Big Moose Lyrics! This is one of the most popular repeat-after-me song lyrics on the site! The leader sings (or shouts) the lyrics and the crowd responds.

There was a great big moose!

He liked to drink a lot of juice.

There was a great big moose!

He liked to drink a lot of juice.

Singin’ oh way oh

Way, oh way oh way oh way oh

Way oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

The moose’s name was Fred.

He liked to drink his juice in bed.

The moose’s name was Fred.

He liked to drink his juice in bed.

Singin’ oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

Way oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

He drank his juice with care,

but he spilled some in his hair.

He drank his juice with care,

but he spilled some in his hair.

Singin’ oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

Way oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

Now he’s a sticky moose

Because he’s all covered in juice!

Singin’ oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

Way oh way oh

Way oh way oh way oh way oh

Back to the top

Bill Grogan’s Goat

Bill Grogans Goat

Was feeling fine

Ate three red shirts

Right off the line

Bill took a stick

Gave him a whack

And tied him too

The railroad track

The whistle blew

The train grew nye

Bill Grogans Goat

Was doomed to die

He gave three groans

Of awwwwfuuuuuuuul pain

Coughed up the shirts

And flagged the train

But one of those shirts

Got caught in his throat

And that was the end

Of Bill Grogans Goat

A very fun repeat-after-me style song! And it’s customizable!

Back to the top

Boom Chicka Boom!

A fun energetic song that is infinitely customizable!

I said a BOOM chicka-boom (echo)

I said a boom CHICKA boom (echo)

I said a boom chicka-rocka, chicka-rocka, chicka-boom! (echo)

Oh yeah (echo)

Uh huh (echo)

One more time (echo)

___________ style (echo)

Different styles: Loud, Whisper, Southern, Valley Girl, Opera, Attitude, British, Rocket, Harley, Janitorial, Teacher. The leader acts out different styles for each new verse. Loud style is shouted, whisper style is whispered, Southern style uses accent, etc.

Then you insert a “style” that follows the same pattern. Here are some examples:

Astronaut Style:

Zoom-chicka-zoom

I said a zoom-chicka-zoom

I said a zoom-in-a-rocket-in-a-rocket-to-the-moon!

Janitor Style:

Broom-chicka-broom

I said a broom-chicka-broom

I said a broom-sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-a-broom!

Home-sick Style:

Spoon-chicken-soup

I said a-spoon-chicken-soup

I said a-spoon-chicken-noodle-chicken-noodle-chicken-soup!

Appropriate hand gestures can be added to any of these. I’ve also seen people do exaggerated accents, such as “Gospel Style” where one might say “boom-chicka-rocka-chicka-Hallelujah!-boom” in a very dramatically “gospel” way.

Back to the top

From Coast to Coast

Here’s a link to learn the rhythm.

From coast to coast, (Repeat)

Camp ______is the most. (Repeat)

From Coast to coast (Repeat)

Camp ______is the most. (Repeat)

Na, na-na-na, na (Repeat)

Na, na-na-na-na-na (Repeat)

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (Repeat)

Na, na-na-na, na (Repeat)

Follow same pattern with the following starting lines:

From East to West, Camp ______ is the best

From State to state, Camp ______ is really great

From City to City, Camp ______ is really pretty

From Town to town, Camp ______ is getting down

Feel free to make up your own!

Back to the top

Classic Camp Songs

Herman the Worm

Here’s a video to learn it

Chorus: (say a line let them repeat the line)

As I was sittin’, on my fence post chewin’ my bubble gum

(Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!) (like a chewing sound)

Playin’ my yo-yo,

(Doo Whop! Doo Whop!)

Along came Herman the worm

And he was this big (hold hands barely apart)

So I said: “Herman, how’d you get like that?!?”

And Herman said…

Duh… I ate a bug! (Chorus)

Duh… I ate a snake (Chorus)

Duh… I ate a rabbit (Chorus)

Duh… I ate a dog (Chorus)

Duh… I ate a cow (Chorus)

Duh… I burped!

Back to the top

Bear Song

Here’s a link to make it easier to learn

The other day (echo)

I met a bear (echo)

Out in the woods (echo)

A-way out there(echo)

Altogether:

The other day I met a bear,

out in the woods a-way out there.

(Continue in a similar manner)

He said to me (echo)

Why don’t you run? (echo)

I see you ain’t (echo)

Got any gun (echo)

Altogether:

He said to me why don’t you run?

I see you ain’t got any gun

(Next verse)

And so I ran (echo)

Away from there (echo)

But right behind (echo)

Me was that bear (echo)

Altogether:

And so I ran away from there

But right behind me was that bear

Next verse:

Ahead of me (echo)

I saw a tree (echo)

A great big tree (echo)

Oh glory be (echo)

Altogether:

Ahead of me I saw a tree

A great big tree, Oh, glory be (echo)

Next verse:

The nearest branch (echo)

Was 10 feet up (echo)

I’d have to jump (echo)

And trust my luck (echo)

Altogether:

The nearest branch was 10 feet up

I’d have to jump and trust my luck

Next verse:

And so I jumped (echo)

Into the air (echo)

But I missed that branch (echo)

Away up there (echo)

Altogether:

And so I jumped Into the air

But I missed that branch away up there

Next verse:

Now don’t you fret (echo)

Now don’t you frown (echo)

Cause I caught that branch (echo)

On the way back down (echo)

Altogether:

Now don’t you fret, now don’t you frown

Cause I caught that branch, on the way back down

Next verse:

The moral of (echo)

This story is (echo)

Don’t talk to bears (echo)

In tennis shoes (echo)

Altogether:

The moral of this story is

Don’t talk to bears in tennis shoes

Next verse:

That’s all there is (echo)

There ain’t no more (echo)

So what the heck (echo)

You singing for? (echo)

Altogether:

That’s all there is, there ain’t no more (echo)

So what the heck, you singing for? (echo)

Back to the top

Mrs O’Leary (or Chicago Fire) Song

Here’s a quick link to make it easier to learn

Late last night while we were all in bed (mime sleeping on hands)

Miss O’Leary put a lantern in her shed (mime hanging a lantern on a nail)

and when the cow kicked it over (mime kicking),

She winked her eye and said (wink eye dramatically)

“It’s gonna be a hot one, in the old town, tonight.” (mime fanning yourself from the heat)

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! (throw hands in the air with each “Fire”)

The song continues with a different motion being left out each verse until the songs is sung with only motions.

Back to the top

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

Rise or stand on each word that starts with the letter B

My Bonnie lies over the ocean

My Bonnie lies over the sea

My Bonnie lies over the ocean

So bring back my Bonnie to me

Bring back, Bring back

Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me

Bring back, Bring back

Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

Repeat faster and faster until it’s impossible 🙂

Back to the top

Sentimental Camp Songs

Cannibal King

Here’s a link to a fun video

Oh the cannibal king with the big nose ring

Fell in love with the dusky maid

And every night by the pale moonlight

Across the bay he came.

He hugged and kissed his pretty little miss

Under the bamboo tree

And every night by the pale moonlight

Sounds like this to me

A rump kiss kiss

A rump kiss kiss

A rump body oddy-ay

A rump kiss kiss

A rump kiss kiss

A rump body oddy-ay

The years went by like one, two, three

And soon they had a family

And every night by the pale moonlight

Sounds like this to me

A rump Ma Ma

A rump Pa Pa

A rump body oddy a

A rump Ma Ma

A rump Pa Pa

A rump body oddy a

Back to the top

Dem Bones Gonna Rise Again

Leader signs verse, campers respond with DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN… All sing chorus

Chorus:

I know it brother, brother,

Indeed, I know it brother, I know it, HEY!

Dem bones gonna rise again…

The lord he thought he’d make a man.

DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN!

So he made Adam cordin’ to a plan.

DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN!

Chorus

Thought he’d make a woman too.

The Lord didn’t know just what to do.

Took a rib from Adam’s side.

For to make Miss Eve, his bride.

Chorus

Put ’em in a garden wide and fair.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Told ’em to eat what they found there.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Peaches, pears, plums and such.

Dem bones gonna rise again

But the apple tree you better not touch.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Repeat chorus

One day Miss Eve was walking around

Dem bones gonna rise again. Spied that tree all loaded down.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Serpent crawling around that trunk.

Dem bones gonna rise again

At miss Eve, his eye he wunk.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Eve, she just took a little pull.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Then she filled her fig leaf full.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Adam, he just took a little bite.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Said um’um woman that sure am nice.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

One day the Lord was walking around.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Spied them peels all over the ground.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

The Lord cried out in his mighty voice.

Dem bones gonna rise again

That shook the heavens to the joists.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Cried, Adam, Adam, Where art though?

Dem bones gonna rise again

Here I is Lord, I’s comin’ now.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Adam, Adam, did you eat these?

Dem bones gonna rise again

No Lord, I ‘spect it was Eve.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Then the Lord rose up in his might wrath,

Dem bones gonna rise again

Said ya’ll just beat it down the path.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Put an angel at the door.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Said ya’ll don’t come ’round here no more.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

Eve took the needle, Adam took the plow.

Dem bones gonna rise again

That’s why we’re all working now.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Chorus

To this tale there ain’t no more.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Eve got the Apple, and Adam got the core.

Dem bones gonna rise again

Back to the top

The Linger Song

Mm Mm, I’d like to linger here

Mm Mm, A little longer here

Mm Mm A little longer here with you

Mm Mm, It’s such a special night

Mm Mm, It doesn’t seem quite right

Mm Mm, That it should be my last with you

Mm Mm, And when the winter comes

Mm Mm, I’ll think of you and sigh

Mm Mm, This was good night and not good bye

Mm Mm

Back to the top

Funny Camp Songs

Baby Bumblebee

I’m bring home my baby bumble bee (mime holding something in hands)

Won’t my mommy be so proud of me

I’m bring home my baby bumble bee

Ouch! It stung me!

I’m smashing up my baby bumble bee (mime squishing something between hands)

Won’t my mommy be so proud of me

I’m smashing up my baby bumble bee

Ugh! What a mess!

I’m licking up my baby bumble bee (mime licking hands)

Won’t my mommy be so proud of me

I’m licking up my baby bumble bee

Eww! I feel sick!

I’m puking up my baby bumble bee (mime throwing up)

Won’t my mommy be so proud of me

I’m puking up my baby bumble bee

Yuck! What a mess!

I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee (mime sweeping)

Won’t my mommy be so proud of me

I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee

Well, I won’t do that again!

Back to the top

Go Bananas

Have someone play a funky tune on a guitar or some instrument, or it can be done with no music. Start out with singing

Peel banana, peel peel banana

Peel banana, peel peel banana

(while your arms are above your head in a 12 oclock position and peeling down slowly with one arm peeling down clockwise on the first ‘peel banana, peel peel banana’. Then do the same other arm on the second verse. )

Then sing (while your hands are doing a kind of karate chop motion)

Chop banana, chop chop banana

Chop banana, chop chop banana

Next sing (while your hands make a smashing motion)

Smash banana, smash smash banana

Smash banana, smash smash banana

Next sing (while miming eating with a spoon or fork)

Eat banana, eat eat banana

Eat banana, eat eat banana

Finally, (REALLY LOUD AND DRAMATIC)

Go bananas, go go bananas

Go bananas, go go bananas

The best way for this to work is start out low and slow and get faster and louder with each time you go through it, but always yell the “Go Bananas” verse

Back to the top

Hawaiian Punch

Sung to the tune of the Brady Bunch – here’s a video to make it easy to learn.

Here’s the story of a dole banana.

Who was raising three very lovely fruits.

Each of them had peels of gold.

The youngest one was green

Here’s the story of a ripe papaya.

Who was busy with three fruits of its own.

There were four fruits living in the same tree,

But they were all alone

Until one day when Banana met Papaya,

And they knew that they were much more than a bunch.

Yes, this crew would somehow form a fruit drink.

That’s the way they all became Hawaiian Punch!

Hawaiian Punch, Hawaiian Punch!

That’s the way they became Hawaiian Punch!

Back to the top

Songs in a Round

Second Story Window

The window, the window

The second-story window

If you don’t know a nursery rhyme

We’ll throw you out the window!

Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow (The second group starts singing the verse starting with “the window, the window)

And every where that Mary went –

She threw it out the window!

The window, the window…

(Repeat with other nursery rhymes until you run out! You can also divide your singing group into teams and sing this song as a competition.)

Back to the top

Zulu Warrior

Group 1: I come a zumba zumba zy

Group 2: I come a zumba zumba zee

Group 3: I come a zumba zumba zy

Group 4: I come a zumba zumba zee

All together:

See him there

The Zulu warrior

See him there

The Zulu

Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 2 starts singing)

See him there

The Zulu Warrior

See him there

The Zulu

Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 3 starts singing)

See him there

The Zulu Warrior

See him there

The Zulu

Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 4 starts singing)

Back to the top

Black Socks

Here is a video to make it easier to learn

Black socks they never get dirty

The longer you wear them the blacker the get

Some day I think I shall wash them

But something keeps telling me don’t do it yet

Not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet

Back to the top

Camp Songs with Motions

Tarzan

Here’s a video link to help learn it!

Leader: Tarzan (beat chest and shout in manly voice)

Group: Tarzan

Leader: Swingin’ on a rubber band (swing)

Group: Swingin’ on a rubber band

Leader: Tarzan (beat chest and shout in manly voice)

Group: Tarzan

Leader: Got hit by a frying pan (makes a smacking motion)

Group: Got hit by a frying pan

Leader: Ouch that hurts

Group: Ouch that hurts

Leader: Now Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)

Group: Now Tarzan has a tan

Leader: And I hope it don’t peel

Group: And I hope it don’t peel

Leader: Like a banana (arms up and open like a banana)

Group: Like a banana

Leader: Jane (girly voice)

Group: Jane

Leader: Speeding on her bullet train

Group: Speeding on her bullet train

Leader: Jane (girly voice)

Group: Jane

Leader: Got hit by an arrow-plane

Group: Got hit by an arrow-plane

Leader: Ouch that hurts

Group: Ouch that hurts

Leader: Now Jane has a pain (hold side)

Group: Now Jane has a pain

Leader: And Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)

Group: And Tarzan has a tan

Leader: And I hope it don’t peel

Group: And I hope it don’t peel

Leader: Like a banana (arms up and open like a banana)

Group: Like a banana

Leader: Cheetah (Low raspy voice show muscle)

Group: Cheetah

Leader: Booping to da beat-a (make fists and bring arms in a circle in front of you)

Group: Booping to da beat-a

Leader: Cheetah

Group: Cheetah

Leader: Got eaten by an amoeba

Group: Got eaten by an amoeba

Leader: Now Cheetah is velveeta

Group: Now Cheetah is velveeta

Leader: And Jane has a pain (hold side)

Group: And Jane has a pain

Leader: And Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)

Group: And Tarzan has a tan

Leader: And I hope it don’t peel

Group: And I hope it don’t peel

Leader: Like- a- bananaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Group: LIKE A BA-NAN-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Like a banana

Back to the top

The Buffalo Song

Here’s a link to watch it in action

Start with hands across your body on one side

Across the windswept desert – swing hands to other side

Where nature knows no man – bow down to invisible master

A buffalo (make horns with hands on side of head) and his brother (make horns on front and back of head)

Were lying in the sand (make sleeping on hands motion)

Said the buffalo (make horns with hands on side of head) to his brother (make horns on front and back of head)

“Why do you lie that way?” (make sleeping on hands motion)

But the brother (make horns on front and back of head) did not answer

Because he’s been dead since May (make choking sign or dramatic eye rolls)

Since… way… last… Maaay… (dramatic gestures)

Motions

Windswept Desserts – Sweep hands from up high on left to right.

Buffalo-hold hands on side of head (like antlers).

Brother-Hold hands on front and back of head

You can make up the rest of the motions for each line- be creative.

Back to the top

The Buffalo and his Butter Song (a fun follow up to the Buffalo Song)

Across the cold damp refrigerator (Make a rectangle in the air.)

Where coleslaw knows no man (Pretend to be stirring a bowl)

Lived a buffalo and his butter (Mime spreading butter)

Lying in some spam (mime sleeping on hands)

Said the buffalo (hands to side of head) to his butter (mime spreading butter)

Why do you lie that way? (Mime sleeping on hands)

But the butter (Mime spreading butter) did not answer

Cause it was not Parkay (use hands to mime mouth talking – think butter tub lid being flapped open and closed.)

It’s… Not… Par…Kay!!!!!

Back to the top

How to Lead Camp Songs

• Enthusiasm. Our favorite expression is “Enthusiasm can’t be taught, it has to be caught!” Get into it!
• Pick a song or two that become “your song.” Every successful camp have camp counselors who are known for “their song.” Most importantly, let other staff have “their song,” to spread the enthusiasm.
• Repeat-o style songs are great to teach campers and families new songs because the sing them in shorter verses, usually one line at a time. Many kids are nervous about making a mistake, so this style of song makes it easy for everyone.
• Consider holding up signs or props for more complicated songs. This is a great way to engage your group if your are responsible for leading a song. From Green Grass Growing… “There’s a egg in the nest (hold up a egg), a nest on the twig (hold up twig), twig on the branch (hold up a larger branch), etc, etc.”
• Not everyone has a great singing voice, but everyone can chant or shout. Try songs, such as Little Red Wagon, that repeat the verse, but get louder or quieter songs during the song.
• If you are having trouble getting kids to sing, consider making songs part of your spirit week (Color Wars/Color Games, etc) and awarding points for “Most Enthusiastic” or “Loudest Group.” You will be surprised who will sing for points to win the trophy!