Folk song "Orion" / Silver Burdett elementary music book?

Cafe Society
1

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction . . .

I first learned this song in about the fifth grade – it was in our school music book. I happened to get my hands on one of the old books when the school got new books, and I would play the song over and over on the piano. I loved it. But eventually the book got sold in a rummage sale or something, and I remembered most of the melody, but only a few fragments of the lyrics. And since Orion is one of the few constellations I can identify, the song often came to mind.

Once I got on the Internet, I would periodically search to see if I could find the missing lyrics. I always came up with nothing, so eventually I gave up.

But recently a friend of mine had a baby boy and named him . . . Orion. So I’ve had a fresh inspiration to try to find those words. Last night I went back to Google and found the site linked above. Score!

Unfortunately, I thought I knew the whole melody but there’s a part of the lyrics that doesn’t fit what I recall. Also, I’m terrible at working out chords on the piano, so it would really help if I could get my hands on the sheet music.

I’ve got queries out to my mom and sister, but I bet the copy of the book I had is gone. I’m pretty sure it was published by Silver Burdett (& Ginn?) and had a blue swirly design on the cover, but my memory could be wrong on both of those. It was a hardcover classroom music book from about the fifth grade, which for me was in 1976-77. I wish I could remember something more substantive – say, the title!!! – but all I have are these bits and pieces. I’ll also try contacting Silver Burdett & Ginn, but I have a feeling they’ll just laugh at me.

Anybody got a clue where else I might try to track this puppy down? (Or know of a recording of the song?) Music teachers? Anyone? Bueller?

2

Sorry to resurrect a 7 year old thread, but I stumbled across it looking for the same song! We must be the same age.

I don’t remember any of the lyrics. I just remembered the song name was Orion and have been trying to track it down.

Perhaps now, after all this time, there is someone out there that knows the answer?

3

If I’d just gone a few more links into my search.

Is this the same song?

There’s a link on the page to the song sung by the composer of the song.

4

I remember singing that song too. Byron Rice Elementary School, 1978.

5

My dad was a music teacher, and I remember my brother (who was in Dad’s class) singing the song at home. Here are the lyrics.(scroll to bottom of page).

6

Wow, blast from the past!

After hacking together a rough version for my friend’s baby (who just turned 7!) I did re-Google this song a few years ago, and found it in several places, including a recording of it by the composer. I performed it at our local folk music festival this summer. Great little song.

Maybe when I have time (not until after Thanksgiving at least!) I’ll track down those links and post them here.