# Songs they made you sing in elementary school **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514 "2026-08-23T22:47:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/41 "2026-08-24T11:06:16Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Simon & Garfunkle’s _Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme_ (“I’ve been Ayn Randed, nearly branded/communist cause I’m left-handed/That’s the hand I use/Well, never mind”) Nitpick: These lyrics are from S&G’s “A Simple Desultory Philippic”. I remember singing “Marching to Pretoria”, and a small, subversive group of us would sing that we were, in fact, marching to _Prick_toria. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/42 "2026-08-24T12:02:24Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > 1. The building is now a [senior center](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M5xMyu7J1tB8UiCb9?g_st=ac). The place where I did the most class singalongs, 3rd and 4th grade, is still a school, but where I went to kindergarten through 2nd turned into a senior center. And for a time it was my after school daycare. I have no idea why we didn’t make use of the still-intact baseball field to play kickball at. Maybe we didn’t have a kickball. From looking at Google Maps my school is no longer a senior center, but you can still see the outline of the overgrown baseball diamond. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/43 "2026-08-24T12:25:36Z")
I remember a number already mentioned. . . “Erie Canal,” “Drill Ye Tarriers,” “I’ve Been to Harlem,” “How Old Is She, Billy Boy?” Probably a lot more if I think about it. In addition: Our third grade state history book had this little ditty [Carve Dat Possum](https://utc.iath.virginia.edu/songs/datpossum.html) about eating possum. [Born to Be Free](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-id-this-song/198492), in which I asked about in 2003. I bumped it in 2012, and got responses until 2017. In addition, I was in school during our state’s Tricentennial, and [this page](http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=74) has a list of songs that were included in an album pressed for that celebration. Once a year we would watch a film strip of patriotic/military songs that we would sing along to. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/44 "2026-08-24T12:59:31Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > I liked the songs so I didn’t mind, but we were all pretty terrible on recorder. The music teacher at a school where I subbed last year taught third graders to play “Eye of the Tiger” on the recorder. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/45 "2026-08-24T13:10:23Z")
Oh, and the toy recorders that we used. We used the [Tonette.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonette). Other classes had previously used the [Flutophone.](https://musiciselementary.com/product/flutophone-white-with-red-trim/?srsltid=AfmBOoqJZJrdrLtYJHdDh6j9vgLLKsVXxF_xZX63hOO9hEvKNUb9iGNG) My wife’s school used one called the Symphonet. Can’t find a pic online, but it looked like the Flutophone, except that it was black with a white mouthpiece and white flared bell. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/46 "2026-08-24T13:12:29Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > The music teacher at a school where I subbed last year taught third graders to play “Eye of the Tiger” on the recorder. That would be much better than _Moon River_, which is what I learned. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/47 "2026-08-24T13:13:46Z")
“Macarena”! LOL ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/48 "2026-08-24T13:14:57Z")
“Linus and Lucy” for us. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/49 "2026-08-24T13:17:18Z")
Nitpick back: Which was on the album [_Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme._](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley%2C_Sage%2C_Rosemary_and_Thyme) ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/50 "2026-08-24T14:02:57Z")
I went to elementary school in Indiana in the 1970s. I can remember singing: - She’ll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain (I don’t think that one’s been mentioned yet) - Goodbye, Old Paint (with the lyrics as quoted by **F.U. Shakespeare** ) **.** - This Land is Your Land - De-Re-Mi, from _The Sound of Music_ - Puff the Magic Dragon And a surprising number of George M. Cohan songs: - The Yankee Doodle Boy (the song that’s often called “Yankee Doodle Dandy”) - You’re a Grand Old Flag - Give My Regards to Broadway ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/51 "2026-08-24T14:19:52Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Nitpick back: Which was on the album [_Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme._](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley%2C_Sage%2C_Rosemary_and_Thyme) My bad. I didn’t realize you sang the entire album. mmm ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/52 "2026-08-24T14:37:12Z")
Yup. And pretty much still can! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/53 "2026-08-24T14:44:27Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > - De-Re-Mi, from _The Sound of Music_ Ah yes: “De, a door, a female door…” ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/54 "2026-08-24T14:45:23Z")
That popped up on my YouTube feed too this weekend! Outrageous indeed! One song I remember from elementary school was [Senior Don Gato (was a cat)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se%C3%B1or_Don_Gato) Seems like we sang quite a few cowboy songs. Things like Red River Valley, Darling Clemintine, and O Susannah. Other ‘hits’ I recall include the song ‘Happiness’ (from the musical, _Youre a Good Man Charlie Brown_) and Polly Wolly Doodle ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/55 "2026-08-24T14:53:35Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Ah yes: “De, a door, a female door…” We were a very advanced school. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/56 "2026-08-24T15:53:48Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2BxWKuntYFQ/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons - Doh a Deer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BxWKuntYFQ) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/57 "2026-08-24T16:01:33Z")
Public school, Dallas, 70s: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Rock-a My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham Home on the Range Deep in the Heart of Texas (clap clap clap clap!) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/58 "2026-08-24T16:03:19Z")
Waukesha, 1970s. “Over the Sea To Skye”. Which I liked. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/59 "2026-08-24T16:09:23Z")
Shenandoah Old Folks at Home ---
**Author:** ![f.coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514/60 "2026-08-24T16:33:46Z")
Old Dan Tucker Dr. Eisenbart They were part of our music lessons. 3rd or 4th grade, I think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-they-made-you-sing-in-elementary-school/1032514.md?page=4)