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4-H Songs and MusicMusic has traditionally been a key ingredient in 4-H from its earliest days. Some have even described 4-H as a singing organization. Singing was often a part of the club meeting. Music was an ingredient of the 4-H camping program, and county and state fairs. Even National 4-H Congress had an official song leader that would lead the 2,000 attendees in song. (D. Merrill Davis of Jackson, Ohio was the official song leader at National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Camp for many years.) During the decade of the 1920s, the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work actively promoted National Music Week which was held each year in early May and the National Music Week Committee in New York City offered 4-H club leaders free copies of a series of booklets about singing and music. The Country Gentleman magazine, in 1929, sponsored a national music contest open to all young people, inspired by the organized singing activities of 4-H boys and girls. Many states - and even some local clubs - had organized 4-H bands and orchestras in the 1920s and 1930s, some of these groups from midwestern states coming to the National 4-H Congress and International Live Stock Exposition in Chicago. In response to a questionnaire sent out from the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work in 1930, 14 states out of 25 answering, reported having bona fide 4-H Club orchestras. Eleven states reported 4-H Club bands. A total of 42 4-H orchestras and 21 4-H bands were reported. Kansas lead in the number of musical 4-H organizations with 10 orchestras and 5 bands. Minnesota had 6 orchestras and 3 bands, and Illinois had 5 orchestras and 2 bands. 4-H Share the Fun programs placed singing and music in the competitive realm, often musical presentations from various clubs competing against one another at the county level and then moving to district or state competition. An entire history can be written about 4-H songs, particularly from the 1920s era, when they seemed to be created almost on the daily basis. Although there were some songs written by talented and accomplished writers, far more were penned by 4-H boys and girls or 4-H leaders. And, like many other parts of 4-H, it was a grassroots movement. A young 4-Her would write the words to a song - often to the tune of a popular song everyone already knew - and it would be sung at their local club meeting. Some of these songs made it to the state level and were picked up by other states. Most every issue of the 4-H leaders magazine from this era carried the words to two or three new songs. When the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work (later National 4-H Service Committee) created the 4-H Supply Service in 1925, during the first year they planned and designed a 4-H Handy Book - an annual booklet which basically had three sections, 1)4-H Club Work and Practice, 2)4-H Supplies and 3)Songs. The songs segment carried the words to 40 or more songs used with 4-H clubs, camps and other activities. In the 1930s, the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work split up these categories of the 4-H Handy Book and published the National 4-H Club Song Book which was offered through the National 4-H Supply Service. Carrying even more songs, the new Song Book not only had the words to most of the songs, but the printed music, as well. A National 4-H Songbook Committee, headed by R. A. Turner, Field Agent of the Federal Extension Service, directed the production of later editions, selecting the songs to be included, securing copyright clearances, and assuring the Song Book would include a well-balanced selection of patriotic songs, religious songs and spirituals, traditional popular songs and 4-H songs. For example, the 1954 revised edition of the National 4-H Club Song Book included the music and words to 80 selections - such songs as America the Beautiful, The Star-Spangled Banner, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Jacob's Ladder, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Follow the Gleam, This is My Father's World, Now the Day Is Over!, Home on the Range, Down in the Valley, Tell Me Why and Study War No More. Some of the traditional 4-H songs of the day were a prominent part of the book; songs like Dreaming, A Plowing Song, A Place in the Sun, The Pride of the Land, 4-H Field Song, 4-H Ceremonial Song and the National 4-H Pledge Song. Over 400,000 of the National 4-H Club Song Books were sold during the first decade. Probably the name most associated with 4-H songs is that of Fannie R. Buchanan, the first Iowa State Music Extension Specialist (1925-1927). She wrote both A Ploughing Song (4-H song for boys) and Dreaming (4-H song for girls) in 1927, introducing them both at the 1927 National 4-H Camp in Washington, DC. These were following by A Song for Health (for 4-H clubs) in 1929, the 4-H Friendship Song in 1932, and the 4-H Field Song in 1933. The National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work (now National 4-H Council) published all of Fannie Buchanan's 4-H songs and holds the copyrights to these songs plus some of the other popular 4-H songs. Several of the songs were offered in sheet music format through the National 4-H Supply Service. A small notice in a 1924 issue of National Boys and Girls Club News announced the availability of a music bulletin that had been prepared by Fannie Buchanan who was then with the Victor Talking Machine Company. During the mid-1920s Fannie Buchanan authored a column on music in the National Boys and Girls Club News. In 1941, Fannie Buchanan authored an Extension Music Publication entitled "Music of the Soil." The availability of a new song, The Four-H Clover and the Rose, was announced in August 1930 in the National Boys and Girls Club News. It was written by Harriett F. Johnson, South Carolina State Girls' Club Leader, with sheet music available through the 4-H Supply Service. In 1933, the United States Department of Agriculture and the State Colleges of Agriculture Co-operating, sponsored the writing and publishing of the song The Pride o' the Land - to become known as the National 4-H March - written by Anna M. Priestley and Edwin Franko Goldman, and dedicated to the National 4-H Clubs: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. Starting in 1930, R. A. Turner of the Federal Extension Service, each year arranged for a music hour on the monthly National 4-H Radio Program. The music hour featured the U.S. Marine Band and they traditionally played The Pride o' the Land. Turner's office printed programs, mailed in advance to the States, enabling clubs the country over to conduct music appreciation hours. This was continued annually until 1942 when the Marine Band had to discontinue the tradition due to the pressing commitments involved with the war. Also in 1933, the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work commissioned Clare A. Rood to write the words and music to the song A Song of the Open Country. Clare Rood also wrote the words and music to the Greeting Song in 1936. In 1937, the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work also commissioned Conrad Thompson to write the song 4-H Hymn. Another favorite 4-H song of significance is A Place in the Sun, written in 1948 by the famous orchestra leader Fred Waring and Jack Dolph, and dedicated to 4-H Clubs. In addition to the printed version, the song was offered in a record format on the Decca Records label. Fred Waring personally came to Chicago where he introduced "A Place in the Sun" to 1948 National 4-H Congress delegates at a special luncheon at the famous Edgewater Beach Hotel. Another song was also premiered at the 1948 National 4-H Congress, at the closing banquet. 4-H March of the Banners, written by Max Exner, Iowa Extension Service, and published by C. C. Birchard & Co. was promised to be in music stores by early 1949.
In addition to the National 4-H Club Song Book, several states have produced song books over the years. The Arizona Song Book: Boys' and Girls' 4-H Club Work was produced by the University of Arizona in 1929. The Little Brown Song Book for Wyoming: For recreation in rural community clubs, homemaker clubs, 4-H clubs, recreation camps was offered in 1932 by the Agricultural Extension Service, University of Wyoming. A song book entitled Let's Sing was published in 1950 by the Extension Service, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, followed in 1951 by West Virginia Sings: 4-H Club Song Book published by Cooperative Recreation Service. The Iowa State College Agricultural Extension Service published Follow with a Song: Rural Music Program for Young People and Adults in 1952. Indiana Sings, produced in 1954, while not a 4-H song book, does include the 4-H Candle and 4-H Trail songs. A number of other state song books published over the years include 4-H songs within their selections. Virginia 4-H Camp Songs, 2006, is available on the Internet - http://www.holidaylake4-H.com - offering dozens of camp songs used in the Virginia 4-H Camping Program. Clover CountryIn 2008 National 4-H Council partnered with EMI Music to create "Clover Country: Songs from Famous 4-H Alumni" - the first-of-its-kind country music compilation CD featuring famous 4-H alumni. This extraordinary blend of country music showcases the benefits of 4-H through talented 4-H alumni. Proceeds sold supports 4-H programs and millions of youth across America.
From Our Archive
4-H Songs From the GrassrootsThe following songs are selections primarily written by 4-H boys and girls and their leaders. Boys and Girls Club SongSung to the tune of "Smiles"
There are boys who take to banking,
There are boys who like the law,
There are boys who think the busy doctor,
Is the one whose life has not a flaw.
There are boys who strive to make big fortunes,
But for us you need not feel alarm,
For the boys that we want in the future,
Are the boys on the good old farm.
There are girls who think the city,
Is the only place to go,
There are girls who do not care for cooking,
Or who have no time to knit or sew,
There are girls who think the joy of living,
Is an auto or dress so fine.
But the girls that we want in the future,
Are the girls with the 4-H sign.
There are clubs for girls in sewing,
There are clubs in canning too,
There are clubs that teach us to feed poultry,
As the best of poultry breeders do.
There are clubs for raising corn and taters,
Feeding pigs, or calves, or sheep so fine.
All these clubs to make us better farmers,
Are the clubs of the 4-H sign.
There are clubs to spend your money,
There are clubs to join for fun.
There are clubs to chase along the cattle,
Or with clubs sometimes a game is won.
There are clubs we often swing for dumb bells,
There are clubs that Father took me to.
But of all the clubs you ere could mention,
Are the Boys' and Girls' Club for me.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior
Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Keep The Club Work GrowingSung to the tune of "Keep the Home-fires burning"
There were Club Boys on the hill-side,
There were Club Boys on the plain,
And the country found them ready
At the call for meat and grain--
Let no one forget their service,
As the Club Boys pass along,
For altho the war is over,
They are singing still this song:
Chorus
Keen the Home-cow milking,
And the Club-corn silking,
Tell the idle boys and girls
We work for HOME;
There's a Club-pig growing,
While the grain we're sowing,
Boost the Club Work day and night,
Till we LIVE AT HOME.
There were Club Girls near the roadside,
There were Club Girls by the wood,
And the country found them ready
At the call for "fighting food"--
Let no one forget their chickens
As the Club Girls pass along,
And altho the "bugs" are many,
They are singing still this song:
Chorus
Keep the babe-chicks growing,
While the rooster crowing
Tell the idle boys and girls
We work for HOME;
Push the yearly garden
While your muscles harden,
Fight tomato bugs and blight
Till we LIVE AT HOME.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Club Song
Our club will shine tonight;
Our club will shine.
We'll shine with beauty bright
All down the line.
We're all dressed up tonight;
That's one good sign.
When the sun goes down,
and the moon comes up,
Our club will shine.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Hoe, Hoe, Hoe Your RowSung to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat"
Hoe, hoe, hoe your row,
Steadily every day,
Merrily, merrily, cheerily, cheerily
Half our work is play.
Can, can all you can,
Everything comes our way,
Merrily, merrily, cheerily, cheerily
Half our work is play.
Hoe, hoe, hoe your row
Thru the summer heat,
Merrily do your bit,
Cheerily stick to it,
Raising beans and wheat.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior
Soldiers of the Soil magazine
GardenersSung to the tune of "K-K-K-Katy"
G-g-g-gardeners - Michigan gard'eners,
We have worked until our muscles
all are sore
And when the b-b-b-boats sail
Over the ocean
We'll have food enough to fill them
more and more
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior
Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Victory SongSung to the tune of "Eliza Jane"
We've got a club down in our school
We're on the go
We raise calves, and pigs and corn
Just watch us grow.
Chorus
O, Come on in,
Club work is fine.
We are the workers
Fall right in line.
France and Belgium need more food,
Germany too,
We must feed the hungry world,
It's up to you.
farmers must be business men,
That well we know,
Club work teaches us to think
As well as hoe.
Head and heart and hand we pledge,
Then health will flow,
Let 4 H's be our sign,
Where ere we go.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Join A ClubSung to the tune of "Over There"
Farmer, is your boy in a club, in a club,
in a club?
Let him join today, no delay, join today,
Make some money all his own,
Then perhaps he'll stay at home,
Give your boy a chance, girl a chance,
both a chance,
Make your children glad to have had
such a dad,
Tell your bright boy, now's the time
T'make the farm begin to shine.
Chorus
Join a club, join a club,
Grow a pig, can the soup, join a club,
For your boy will like it, your girl will
"love it";
They all should join it while they can.
Now's the time, we're goin' fine,
Get the pig, get the pig, now's the time,
Set the old hen, select the acre,
Let us make old Knox a better place to live.
— Published in January 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
4-H Clubmobile of O. H. BensonSung to the tune of "The Old Gray Mare"
Let's take a ride in the 4-H Clubmobile,
4-H Clubmobile, 4-H Clubmobile,
Let's take a ride in the 4-H Clubmobile
For many long years to come.
Chorus
For many long years to come,
For many long years to come,
Let's take a ride in the 4-H Clubmobile
4-H Clubmobile, 4-H Clubmobile.
Let's take a ride in the 4-H Clubmobile
For many long years to come.
With our club (members(leaders to guide this Clubmobile,
Guide this clubmobile, guide this clubmobile,
With our club (members(leaders to guide this Clubmobile
For many long years to come.
Note: Repeat and make as many verses as you like by putting
the names of different leaders or members in each verse.
— Published in June 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Fremont County Idaho Club SongSung to the tune of "Idaho, Oh Idaho"
The boys and girls of Idaho, Idaho, oh Idaho,
They'll make the sheep and chickens grow in Idaho, oh Idaho.
They'll can the fruit and dry the corn;
They'll help their daddies on the farm;
They'll work at eve; they'll work at morn;
In Idaho, oh Idaho.
The boys and girls of Idaho, Idaho, oh Idaho,
They'll keep the weeks from every row, in Idaho, oh Idaho.
They'll grow the pigs that can't be beat,
And Idaho shan't want for meat;
They'll put the farmers on their feet,
In Idaho, oh Idaho.
The boys and girls of Idaho, Idaho, oh Idaho,
The girls are learning how to sew in Idaho, oh Idaho,
Of spuds the clubs will raise a crop,
So Idaho will be on top,
They'll grow the beets so they can't stop,
In Idaho, oh Idaho.
— Published in June 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Goshen County, Massachusetts Home Economics Club SongSung to the tune of "Keep the Home Fires Burning"
Keep the needles flying
And keep on trying
To win the Economics banner for your club
When you do your darning
You must keep on learning
And get the first prize for your club,
Ah-ra-ra-ta-ta-ta
Keep the mixer whirling
Keep the bread a-twirling
Make the best you can for company for tea,
Make a little cake
The worst part is to bake
But when it's done
Your ready for the fun to help to eat that cake.
Come and see us darning
Come and see us patching,
Come and see the best of all which is to cook
H is our letter
To make best better
Our name is "Work and Win,"
Ah-ra-ra-ta-ta-ta
— Published in June 1919 issue of Junior Soldiers of the Soil magazine
Kansas Canning Song byLola B. Thompson, County Leader, Genesee, Kansas Sung to the tune of "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag"
Can up your beans in an old Mason jar
And smile, smile, smile.
Pack your tomatoes in another style--
Smile folks all the while.
What's the use of worrying
About your food supply?
So--can all your food in the Cold Pack way
and smile, smile, smile.
— Published in July 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
On With Club WorkSung to the tune of "On Wisconsin"
On with the boys' clubs, on with the girls' clubs
Plunge right in the work,
Let no laggard join our numbers
For we never shirk,
On with girls' clubs, on with boys' clubs
Let this be our cry;
We will "start up, keep up, finish up,"
Win or die.
— Published in September 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
Gardening and Canning SongSung to the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"
Our Boys' Clubs are ever so busy,
Our Girls' clubs are doing their best;
They're raising the best 4-H gardens,
To help Uncle Sam and the rest.
Chorus
Gard'eners, gard'eners,
We'll raise lots of gardens, this year, this year.
Canners, canners,
We'll save all the surplus this year.
Three cheers for the clubs of Nebraska,
They're canning and drying this year;
They're making their best ever better,
They'll "finish the job," never fear.
— Published in September 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
4-H Dyeing SongAt one time dyeing fabrics was a big project in 4-H with state and national competitions, so naturally there was even a dying song! Sung to the tune of "Jada"
Dyeing! Dyeing!
Everybody's dyeing now!
Dyeing! Dyeing!
We are going to show you how.
The object now is to make things new
Colors that will appeal to you,
Dyeing! Dyeing!
Everybody's dyeing now!
— Published in October 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
Standard Clubs Song (Nebraska)Tune: ("Solomon Levi"
We have a standard club right here,
Achievement is our aim,
Our head, heart, hands and health we pledge,
Four H's is the game.
We're working for the first year seal
And mean to win it too,
Whatever we begin this year,
We're bound to see it thru.
Our club is Standard, Achevement is our aim,
Our club is Standard, we play a winning game.
We have a demonstration team
The best one in the State,
'Twill be if we all do our part
Our Charter sets the gait.
We like to work for Uncle Sam,
And for our home folks true,
If other clubs compete with us
They must be Standard, too.
Our club is Standard, Achievement is our aim,
Our club is Standard, we play a winning game.
We're happy, honest, hustling chaps,
Who help folks all the time,
Come join our Standard Club brigade,
And wear the clover sign.
We hope to make our this year's best
Far better than the last.
To put across what we have planned
We'll have to hustle fast.
Our club is Standard, achievement is our aim,
Our club is Standard, we play a winning game.
We pledge allegiance to our flag
Our school, our home, our State,
We work for them and they for us,
This club work, it is great.
— Published in October 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
A Yankee Doodle Sewing Clubby Ethel S. Calkins
A Yankee sewing club have we,
The best in the U.S.
We're sewing for the Gresham fair,
We're going to do our best.
We've each ten lessons to do,
And we're going to do it.
We're going to keep our promise good,
And be most true to it.
Chorus
A Yankee Doodle sewing club
Comes in very handy,
We're going to win the first prize
Because it is a dandy.
A Yankee canning club have we,
It's very nice indeed, sir
We'll can everything you wish us to
If your in need, sir
Vegetables and fruits are friends
And fruit jars are relations,
With these we can enough food
To feed a dozen nations.
A canning club is lot of fun,
Come join our club right now, sir
And when you've tried a few jars
To can you'll know how, sir.
Chorus
A Yankee Doodle canning club
Is indeed very handy,
If e'er you taste of our work,
We're sure you'll think it dandy.
— Published in October 1919 issue of Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
It's A Long Way To Club Perfectionby Jessie Warrington Sung to the tune of "Tipperary"
It's a long way to club perfection,
It's a long way to go,
But we'll raise pigs, chicks, and rabbits,
gardens,
And we'll cook and can and sew;
Good-bye, loss and failure; good-bye doubt
and fear--
It's a long, long way to club perfection
But we're getting near.
— Published in December 1919 issue Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
Chalfant Club SongSung to the tune of "Marching Thru Georgia"
We're a jolly bunch of girls,
Determined to succeed,
Since we have a leader
Full of noble thots and deeds.
Canning fruits and vegetables
Is our line and creed,
And we will go over to Coshocton!
Chorus
Hurrah! Hurrah! The canning club is here;
Hurrah! Hurrah! Our county agent cheer!
Since we've canned our garden stuff
Our conscience is quite clear--
And we're going to Coshocton!
Now the Tip Top Pig club boys
Are mighty hard to beat;
But we've got the pep in us
That does not know defeat.
So we're marching on with them,
With victory sure complete,
As we go forward together.
Yell
Strawberry shortcake, blackberry pie:
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!
Are we in it? Well I guess!
Chalfant Jolly Bunch--
Yes! Yes! Yes!
— Published in February 1921 issue Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
Here's To Club MembersSung to the tune of "There's a Long, Long Trail"
There's a long, long trail a winding,
Into the land of our dreams,
With the boys and girls in club work
And their demonstration teams.
We'll have lots of drill in canning,
Until our dreams all come true,
And we're going to show the public
How the (state or club name girls come through.
It's a long, long job in farming,
To teach an old dog new tricks,
When you try to show him something,
He at once begins his kicks.
But the youngster is the fellow
Who will always come through,
And we're going to show the public
What (state or club name boys can do.
There's a long, long time for hoeing,
To keep your grass all clean;
When the summer sun is shining,
And the woods are growing green.
When you'd like to play at baseball,
Or take a ride in your Ford so new,
But we're going to show the public
How the boys and girls come through.
— Published in February 1921 issue Farm Boys' and Girls' Leader magazine
President Coolidge Club Greeting SongPresident Coolidge had recently accepted the first Honorary Chairmanship of the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work Sung to the tune of "Boola Boola"
President Coolidge, how are you?
We're Glad you're with us --
We're Glad you're with us --
We'll try to show you what our clubs
are doing,
President Coolidge, we're for you.
— Published in December 1924 issue National Boys and Girls Club News
We're Here To See the FairSung to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
We are winners in the club work from the counties
of the state,
We have worked all through the summer, now we're here
to celebrate;
We have left the other members hanging on the garden gate,
While we came to the Fair.
Chorus
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! Yes, we came to the Fair.
You may think to win in club work is an easy thing to do,
That the road that leads to vict'ry is quite easy to pursue,
But, believe me, it's a tussle fromthe start till we get thru,
To win and see the Fair.
We are farmer lads and lassies and we know just how to toil,
We are always up and doing, making profits from the soil,
We raise winning pigs and chickens and can fruit that will
not spoil,
So we can see the Fair.
When we started in the club work, we went in to do or die,
Now we're here while all the pthers are lamenting with
a sigh,
And we'll have fun here (use name of town or we'll know
the reason why,
While we are at the Fair.
— Published in 1926 4-H Handy Book
Club Work, Oh!Sung to the tune of "Old Black Joe"
Gone are the days when my work returned no pay,
Gone are the times when I idled hours away,
Gone are my doubts for the better thing I know,
I hear the home folks' voices calling,
Club work, Oh.
Chorus
I'm coming, I'm coming
For my bank is full of dough,
I hear the home folks' voices calling
Club work, Oh.
Why do I hoe and can and feed and keep
Record of all I do and knowledge seek?
So that myself and others too may know,
How best to make the better be
Club work, Oh.
Chorus
I'm coming, I'm coming
I no longer am a "sub"
I hear (name of state Juniors calling,
Standard Club.
— Published in 1926 4-H Handy Book
4-H Clubs for All (TennesseeSung to the tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"
What's the club we cherish,
In old U.S.A.
Clubs that ne'er shall perish
In old U.S.A.
Always growing stronger
In old U.S.A.
List of members longer
In old U.S.A.
What's the club we love most,
It's the 4-H Club;
What's the club they all roast,
It's the 4-H Club;
What's the club you may test,
It's the 4-H Club;
What's the club that is best,
It's the 4-H Club.
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
Club WorkSung to the tune of "Jingle Bells"
club work girls, club work boys,
Club work every day.
Oh, what a joy it is to work,
And oh, what fun to play!
Head and heart, hand and health,
That is what we say,
Stands for Club Work everywhere
In our good old U.S.A.
(repeat whole song
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
Wear a 4-H SignSung to the tune of "Ja-Da"
Wear-a, wear-a, wear-a little 4-H sign,
Wear-it, wear-it, just to show that you're in line.
Wear a 4-H button just to show that you're in style,
Wear a 4-H button just because it's well worth while,
Wear-a, wear-a, wear-a little 4-H sign.
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
Round Her Neck She Wears the 4-H Emblem
'Round her neck she wears the 4-H emblem;
She wears it in the winter and the summer, so they say,
If you ask her: "Why the decoration?"
She'll say: "It's fur my lover, who is fur, fur away."
Fur away (fur away. Fur away (fur away.
If she is milking cows or mowing hay,
'Round her neck she wears the 4-H emblem;
She wears it for her lover, who is fur, fur away.
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
The 4-H CloverSung to the tune of "Whispering"
Club folks all have something to tell you,
And it's worth while listening to
It's about 4-H clover glory,
And it will bring good luck to you.
Chorus
Here's to the head that does the thinking,
Here's to the hands that do the working,
Here's to the heart that must be willing,
Health we must have to be cheerful and happy.
Now can our good luck never fail us,
If we must prove it, come and watch us,
We'll always keep the clover with us,
Fortune it will ever bring.
Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book Club SpiritSung to the tune of "I Ain't Nobody's Darling"
Hurrah for 4-H club work!
I'm gay as can be
'Cause I know 4-H club work
Has done lots for me.
When I'm too old for club work,
I'll teach others what I know,
I'll be a Local Leader,
And keep club work on the go!
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
Parting SongSung to the tune of "Till We Meet Again"
4-H Club folks that we love so well,
You're the folks that in our memories dwell.
When we part from our friends here,
We'll work harder all the year;
And the friends we've met so merrily,
One and all we'll hold in memory.
So farewell, 4-H friends, we say,
Till we meet again.
— Published in 1928 4-H Handy Book
Speed Away
Speed Away, speed away with your 4-H Club light,
To the girls and the boys who are waiting tonight,
With your message of service and comradeship true,
With your songs and your smiles spread club work anew,
Head, Heart, Health, and Hand join all in one band
Speed away, speed away, speed away.
— Published in 1930 4-H Handy Book
4-H TrailSung to the tune of "Marine Hymn"
Over hill, over dale, we
will find the 4-H Trail
As we club folks come
swinging along.
Let it rain, let it shine,
we will keep a steady line,
As we club folks come
swinging along.
With a Hi, Hi, He,
the 4-H Trail for me,
Shout out your numbers loud
and strong, 4-H!
Where'er we go, you will
always know
That we club folks keep
swinging along
As we club folks keep swinging along.
4-H Farewell Songwritten by Carlton Day, 13, Lisbon Falls, ME Sung to the tune of May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
May the Good Lord bless and keep you
Whether near or far away;
May your 4-H work be helpful
To you every day.
May you find new joys in learning,
Both in profits and in fun.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you
Till we meet again.
May all blessings fall upon you,
On your head, heart, health and hands;
May new knowledge serve you daily,
In your homes and on your lands.
May your 4-H projects prosper,
Your rewards be 10 times 10.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you,
Till we meet - till we meet - again.
I'm Looking Over A 4-H CloverSung to the tune of "I'm Looking Over a 4-Leaf Clover"
I'm looking over a 4-H clover that I overlooked before
One is for head, the second for heart,
Third is hands. They're doing their part.
There's no need explaining the one remaining,
It's health that we're striving for.
I'm looking over a 4-H clover
That I overlooked before.
I've Got That 4-H Spirit
I've got that 4-H spirit up in my head, up in my head,
up in my head. I've got that 4-H spirit up in my head,
up in my head to stay.
Other verses.
Deep in my heart......
Down in my toes......
All over me........
This Little 4-H Light of MineSung to the tune of "This Little Light of Mine" Old Gospel Hymn
This little 4-H light of mine, I'm going to let it shine,
This little 4-H light of mine, I'm going to let it shine,
This little 4-H light of mine, I'm going to let it shine,
Let it shine all the time, Let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine,
All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine,
All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine,
Let it shine all the time, Let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm going to let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm going to let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm going to let it shine,
Let it shine all the time, Let it shine.
Don't you go and (blow it out, I'm going to let it shine,
Don't you go and (blow it out, I'm going to let it shine,
Don't you go and "blow it out, I'm going to let it shine,
Let it shine all the time, Let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel, NO! I'm going to let it shine,
Don't you go and (blow it out, I'm going to let it shine.
Let it shine all the time, Let it shine.
We Are 4-H (Tomorrow's SongSong lyrics written by John Hood, 4-H Alumnus, in 2008 to celebrate North Carolina's centennial.
It starts with a thought,
A dream of what you can do,
Breaking through all doubt and fear
A clearer path to view.
Then deep down inside,
You feel a passion to grow,
And you know the place to start,
A heart to set aglow.
To be loyal and true, to do what's right
When the easy way is wrong,
And the world says "go along."
Chorus
We are 4-H
A whole new generation
We are 4-H
We lift our standards high,
Pledging our heads,
Pledging our hearts,
Pledging our hands, united and strong
We are 4-H, come hear tomorrow's song.
From fields, lush and green,
To campus, city and stage,
Every age and culture ready,
To teach and to engage.
With knowledge and skill,
With confidence and with pride
Such a wide horizon scan,
And span each deep divide.
Healthy body and mind, combined in one,
Firm foundation to achieve,
In our future to believe.
Better living for all, a call to sound,
Build communities to share,
And in freedom, just to dare.
Chorus
We are 4-H
A whole new generation
We are 4-H
We lift our standards high,
Pledging our heads,
Pledging our hearts,
Pledging our hands, united and strong
We are 4-H, come hear tomorrow's song.
We are 4-H
A whole new generation
We are 4-H
We lift our standards high,
Pledging our heads,
Pledging our hearts,
Pledging our hands, united and strong
We are 4-H, come hear tomorrow's song.
We are 4-H, come hear and sing along.
We are 4-H, we are tomorrow's song.
Historic 4-H SongsPloughing Songwords and music sheet music audio Real Player format Dreaming words and music sheet music audio Real Player format 4-H Pastoral words and music audio Real Player format A Song of Health words and music audio Real Player format 4-H Ceremonial Song words and music 4-H Field Song words and music audio Real Player format Follow the Gleam words and music audio Real Player format National 4-H Club Pledge words and music sheet music audio Real Player format 4-H Friendship Song words and music 4-H Chorale words and music audio Real Player format A Musing Mood, A 4-H Club Song words and music glass lantern slide Green and White, A 4-H Club Song words and music glass lantern slide A Place in the Sun words and music audio Real Player format Greeting Song words and music Pride o' the Land - National 4-H March words and music A Song of the Open Country words and music I'm a 4-H Member audio Real Player format The Turf Beneath My Feet audio Real Player format The 4-H Blues audio Real Player format 4-H Share The FunFor decades, 4-H Share The Fun activities have traditionally been one of the highlights for many 4-H members. Members share their talent in friendly competition, representing their local club against acts from other 4-H clubs at the county level. This often takes place at the county fair, or as a separate event. Winning Share The Fun acts move on to the district level... and then to the state competition, usually at the state fair. (photo/caption, page 19 (photos only) May 1950 4-H News) Caption:The Herbert brothers and their 4-H agent inspect a 4-H "Share the Fun" display prior to their appearance on the Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour on NBC televison in observance of National 4-H Club Week; the brothers present a 4-H flag set to Ted Mack of the Major Bowes Show. 4-H Share The Fun participants are serious about their act - be it singing, a musical instrument (solo or group), a magician, dancer, juggler or any other type of entertainment talent. Long before "America Has Talent" entered upon the scene, 4-H Share The Fun had been providing fierce competition for years. Country singer Rebe McEntire calls 4-H Share The Fun one of the best parts of her 4-H experiences. When the talented country group, Alabama, starting out as a 4-H group, competes in the Alabama state 4-H Share The Fun contest... and doesn't win! Then we know we have competition. In addition to the 4-H Share The Fun program, it was common for local 4-H clubs to host a community variety show each year, often combined with a basket supper or a potluck dinner, and inviting everyone from the surrounding area to come and enjoy themselves. This montage of photos shows just such an event in 1951 at the Bergen 4-H Club of McHenry County, North Dakota. Featured was everything from accordion duets to the "Bergen Symphony," from a young tape dancer giving her feminine version of the Lone Ranger, to the club leader auctioning off baskets brought by the 4-H girls. Lars Helstedt, the leader, explained that such programs helped raise money to send Club members to camps and helped the young people when they appear before crowds. (photo montage; no copy, from page 24, June 1951 4-H News)Yes, music has always been a strong, integral part of the 4-H program for a century... and continues to be today. In fact, if the word "music" started with the letter "H" instead of "M" it could have well been considered the 5th "H" of 4-H. |
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