Quiet Songs

The ash grove how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking
The wind through it playing has language for me.
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking,
A host of kind faces is gazing at me.

The friends from my childhood again are before me
Each step brings a memory as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden the leaves rustle o'er me
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.

Down yonder green meadow where streamlets meander
When twilight is fading I pensively roam
Or in the bright noon tide in solitude wander
Amid the dark spaces of that lonely ash grove.

‘Twas there while the black bird was cheerfully singing
I first met my dear one the joy of my heart
Around us for gladness the blue bells were springing
The ash grove, the ash grove that sheltered my home

My lips smile no more, my heart loses its lightness;
No dream of the future my spirit can cheer.
I only can brood on the past and its brightness
The dear ones I long for again gather here.

From ev'ry dark nook they press forward to meet me;
I lift up my eyes to the broad leafy dome,
And others are there, looking downward to greet me
The ash grove, the ash grove, again is my home.

2. Au Clair De La Lune - France

Au clair de la lune, Mon ami Pierrot,

Prete moi ta plume, Pour ecrire un mot

Ma chandelle’ est morte, Je n’ai plus de feu

Ouvre moi ta porte, Pour l’amour de Dieu!

Au clair de la lune, Pierrot repondit:

“Je n’ai pas de plume; Je suis dans mon lit.

Va chez la voisine, Je crois qu’elle y est,

Car dans sa cuisine, On bat le briquette.”

Au clair de la lune, Pierrot se rendort.

Il reve a la lune, Son Coeur bat bien fort.

Car toujours si bonne, Pu l’enfant tout blanc

La lune lui donne, son croissant d’argent.

3. Barges

Out of my window, looking in the night

I can see the barges flickering light

Silently flows the river to the sea

And the barges too go silently

Chorus:

Barges, I would like to go with you

I would like to sail the ocean blue

Barges have you treasures in your hold

Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?

Out of my window, looking in the night

I can see the barges flickering light

Starboard shines green and port is glowing red

I can see them flickering far ahead

4. Blowing in the Wind – Bob Dylan

How many roads must a man walk down?

Before they call him a man

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand

How many times must the cannon balls fly?

Before they're forever banned.

Chorus:

The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind,

The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist

Before they're washed to the sea

How many years can some people exist

Before they're allowed to be free

How many times can a man turn his head?

And pretend that he just doesn't see.

How many times must a man look up?

Before he reaches the sky

How many ears must one man have?

Before he can hear people cry

How many deaths will it take till he knows?

That too many people have died.

5. Celebrate With Light – Sheila Goulet

We have our campfires burning,

The sun is returning,

Come, celebrate with light.

With all our lanterns beaming,

Candles a-gleaming,

Come, celebrate with light.

All nature lights our way, the sun in the day,

The moon and the shining stars at night.

So with our flashlights blinking,

Glad eyes a-twinkling,

Come, celebrate with light.

6. Cockles and Mussels - Ireland

In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty,

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,

As she pushed her wheel barrow,

Through streets broad and narrow,

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive, Oh!

Chorus:

Alive, alive, Oh!

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive, Oh!

She was a fishmonger, but it sure was no wonder,

For so were her father and mother before,

And they each pushed their wheel barrow,

Through streets broad and narrow,

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive, Oh!

She died of a fever and no one could save her,

And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone;

Her ghost wheels her barrow,

Through streets broad and narrow,

Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive, Oh!

7. Come With the Evening

Come with the evening or come with the dawn,

Come when you’re looking for or come when you’re feeling lonely.

Come with the evening or come with the dawn.

Come when you’re looked for, for I’m all alone.

Spring is here and the tides are low,

Nets are spread on the rocks below,

The green hills echo the song I sing

Come to me in the early spring.

Summer’s here and the earth is dry,

Warm wind blows in an empty sky,

Touching the trees and they seem to sigh:

Come to me when the sun is high.

The sea runs high and the sky is grey,

Fishing boats tossing in the bay,

The ground is covered with red and gold,

Autumn’s here and the earth turns cold.

Winter’s come and the trees are bare,

But I’ll find you flowers to wind in your hair,

My home is warm at the top of the hill,

And I’ll wait for you there when the evening is still.

8. Danny Boy - Ireland

Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountain side,

The summer’s gone and all the roses falling,

It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow,

Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,

It’s I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow,

Oh, Danny Boy, oh, Danny Boy

I love you so!

9. De Colores - Mexico

Oh the colours! Oh the colours of fields in the glittering mantle of spring.

Oh the colours! Oh the colours of birds as they fly back on shimmering wing.

Oh the colours! Oh the colours of rainbows that shine like an arc in the sky.

Chorus:

Of old friendships we think and we know that the springtime will

colour those friendships a-new

Of old friendships we think and we know that the springtime will

colour those friendships a-new

See the colours, see the colours as dawn clothes the earth in its delicate hue,

See the colours, see the colours that glow as the sun rises out of the blue.

See the colours, see the colours that shine from the sides of diamond bright.

Now the rooster, now the rooster sings quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri, quiri.

Now the hen, little hen joins in cara, cara, cara, cara, cara.

Now the chickens, they keep crying with their pio, pio, pio, pio, pa.

What a fussing with their quiri, quiri, cara, cara, cara, pio, pio, pa.

10. Dreams

Chorus:

May all your dreams bloom like daisies in the sun

May you always have stars in your eyes

May you not stop running not until your race is run

And may you always have blue skies

A dream is something you can make to keep within your heart

To build on when you're sad, or when you're world's been torn apart

A dream is something all your own that no one else can steal

A dream is something you can make come real

You can share a laugh with any stranger you may meet

You can share your money with a beggar on the street

But you can only share a dream when love has set it free

Please won't you share yours with me.

11. Edelweiss - Austria

Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me

Small and white, clean and bright

You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, Edelweiss, bless my homeland forever

12. Everyone Knows It

Everyone knows it, but how can you show it

That love is a wonderful thing.

Try to believe it, and then you will live it

And see what the future will bring.

Chorus:

A-a-a-a-a-a-ah.

Everyone knows it, but how can you show it

That love is a wonderful thing.

Laughter or crying, there's no use denying

That love holds each life in its hands.

So, do what you can to be living in harmony,

Meeting what love may demand.

You've got a lot of it, so you must share it,

Proving that love isn't cold.

Give it to everyone, don't miss out anyone.

They'll give it back threefold.

13. Four Strong Winds – Ian Tyson

Chorus:

Four strong winds that blow lonely,

Seven seas that run high,

All those things that don't change,

Come what may.

but our good times are all gone,

And I'm bound for moving on.

I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.

Think I'll go out to Alberta,
Weather's good there in the fall.
I got some friends that I can go a'working for,
Still I wish you'd change your mind
If I asked you one more time,
But we've been through that a hundred times or more.

If I get there before the snow flies,
And if things are looking good,
You could meet me if I send you down the fare.
But by then it would be winter
there ain't much for you to do
And the winds sure can blow cold way out there

14. Greensleeves - England

Alas, my love, you do me wrong

To cast me off discourteously;

Though I have loved you so long

Delighting in your company.

Chorus:

Greensleeves was all my joy,

Greensleeves was my delight.

Greensleeves was my heart of gold,

And who but my lady Greensleeves.

I bought her kerchiefs for her head,

They were wrought fine and gallantly;

I kept thee both to board and bed

Which cost my purse well favourably.

The smock of gold so red

With pearls bedecked sumptuously;

The like no other lasses had

And yet you wouldst not love me.

Thy gown was a grassiest green

Thy sleeves of satin hanging by;

Which made thee be our harvest queen

And yet thou wouldst not love me.

Greensleeves now farewell adieu,

God I pray to prosper thee;

For I am still thy lover true,

Though thou wouldst not love me.

15. Hush, Little Baby

Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,

Papa’s gonna buy you a mocking bird.

If that mockingbird don’t sing,

Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass,

Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.

If that looking glass gets broke,

Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.

If that billy goat don’t pull,

Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.

If that cart and bull turn over,

Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

If that dog named Rover don’t bark,

Papa’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.

If that horse and cart fall down,

You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

16. Hush-You-Bye

Hush-you-bye,

Don’t you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby.

When you wake, You shall have cake,

An’ drive those pretty little horses.

Blacks an’ bays,

Dapples an’ grays,

Coach an’ six-a little horses.

Rock-a-bye,

Don’t you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby.

Send you to school

Ridin’ on a mule

An’ driving those pretty little horses.

Blacks an’ bays,

Dapples an’ grays,

Coach an’ six-a little horses.

17. In a Circle, Light a Candle – Melinda Caroll

May our circle be unbroken and our purpose ever strong.
As we build our dreams together, we will work to carry on.
There is joy in just the doing, there is love in every day,
As we share and live the Girl Guide way

Chorus:

In a circle, light a candle.
In a circle, light a candle for me.
In a circle, light a candle.
In a circle, light a candle for me.

May the flame of this one candle be a light that will shine through,
On the path that I have chosen, with my sisters brave and true.
We will lift our torch together with the pledge that we hold high,
The guiding light of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.

May our circle be unbroken and our light, eternal flame,
That around the world will travel, to our sisters in all lands.
In our circle in a circle, may our candles ever glow,
To light the world in harmony and love.

18. Inch by Inch – David Mallett

Chorus:

Inch by inch, row by row

Gonna make this garden grow

All it takes is a rake and a hoe

And a piece of fertile ground

Inch by inch, row by row

Someone bless these seeds I sow

Someone warm them from below

'Til the rain comes tumbling down

Pulling weeds and pickin' stones
Man is made from dreams and bones
Feel the need to grow my own
'Cause the time is close at hand
Grain for grain, sun and rain
Find my way in nature's chain
To my body and my brain
To the music from the land

Plant your rows straight and long
Thicker than with pray'r and song
Mother Earth will make you strong
If you give her love and care
Old crow watchin' hungrily
From his perch in yonder tree
In my garden I'm as free
As that feathered thief up there

19. Ira Congo (2-Part Song) - Africa

Ira congo,

Ira congo by ay.

Ira congo by ay congo

By ay congo by ay.

20. Iroquois Lullaby

Ho, ho, wa ta nay,

Ki yo ken a, ki yo ke na

21. Jamaica Farewell - Jamaica

Down the way where the nights are gay

And the sun shines daily on the mountain top

I took a trip on a sailing ship

And when I reached Jamaica

I made a stop.

Chorus:

But I’m sad to say,

I’m on my way,

Won’t be back for many a day.

My heart is down,

My head is turning around,

I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter every where

And the dancing girls swaying to and fro,

I must declare my, heart is there,

Tho’ I’ve been from Maine to Mexico.

Down in the market you can hear

Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear

Ackey rice, salt fish are nice,

And the rum is fine any time of year.

22. Land of the Silver Birch - Canada

Land of the silver birch

Home of the beaver

Where still the mighty moose

Wanders at will

Chorus:

Blue Lake and rocky shore

I will return once more

Boom-did-y-ah-dah

Boom did-y-ah-dah, boom

My heart is sick for thee

Here in the lowlands

I will return to thee

Hills of the north

Swift as a silver fish

Canoe of birch bark

By mighty waterways

Carry me forth

High on a rocky ledge

I'll build my wigwam

Close to the water's edge

Silent and still

23. Light a Little Candle

Light a little candle in your heart

To shine right through the night,

Light a little candle in your heart,

To shine right through the night,

Light a little candle, in friendship,

Light a little candle in your heart,

To shine right through the night.

24. Like the Eagle – Brandis Purcell

Born in the mountains, the wind blowing free;

Given by nature the wisdom to see,

Power to heal and the strength to command;

Child of our native land.

Chorus:

Fly high, like the eagle, be strong like the eagle,

See far, like the eagle live long

When we come together in harmony,

Like the eagle, we’ll be strong and free!

Circling and wheeling and climbing the sky;

Looking at life with a far seeing eye,

Searching and seeking and finding it there;

Spirit of Earth and Air.

One sky above us and one earth below;

Life all around us in things that we know.

Nothing to shadow the light of the sun;

Everywhere we are one.

25. Loch Lomond - Scotland

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,

Where the sunshines bright on Loch Lomond,

Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,

On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Chorus:

Oh! Ye’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road

And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,

But me and my true love, we’ll never meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring,

And in sunshine the waters are sleeping,

But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again,

Tho’ the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

26. My Paddle (Canoe Song)

My paddle's keen and bright

Flashing with silver

Follow the wild goose flight

Dip, dip and swing

Dip, dip and swing her back

Flashing with silver

Swift as the wild goose flies

Dip, dip and swing

27. On the Loose – Judith Keller

Have you ever watched a sunrise turn the sky completely red?

Have you slept beneath the moon and stars a pine grove for your bed?

Do you sit and talk with friends though not a word is ever said?

Then you’re like me and you’ve been on the loose.

Chorus:

On the loose to climb a mountain,

On the loose where I am free,

On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be.

For I’ve only got a moment and the whole world yet to see,

I’ll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.

There’s a trail that I’ll be hiking, just to see where it might go

Many places yet to visit, many people yet to know.

For in following my dreams, I will live and I will grow.

In a world that’s waiting out there on the loose.

So in search of love and laughter, I am travelling ‘cross this land.

Never sure of where I’m going, for I haven’t any plans.

And in time when you are ready, come and join me, take my hand.

And together we’ll share life out on the loose.

28. One Tin Soldier – Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter

Listen children to a story that was written long ago

'Bout a kingdom on a mountain and the valley far below

On the mountain was a treasure buried deep beneath the stone

And the valley people swore they'd have it for their very own.

Chorus:

Go ahead and hate your neighbour, go ahead and cheat a friend.

Do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end

There won't be any trumpets blowing, come the judgment day

On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away.

So the people of the valley sent a message up the hill

Asking for the buried treasure, tonnes of gold for which they'd kill

Came an answer from the mountain, with our brothers we will share

All the riches of our mountain, all the treasure buried there.

So the valley cried with anger, mount your horses draw your swords

And they killed the mountain people so they won their just rewards

Now they stood beside the treasure on the mountain dark and red

Turned the stone and looked beneath it: "Peace on Earth" was all it said.

29. Pass It On – Kurt Kaiser

It only takes a spark to get a fire going

And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing

That's how it is with Guiding

Once you've experienced it

You spread your joy to everyone

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming

That's how it is with Guiding

Once you've experienced it

You want to sing, it's fresh like spring

You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found

You can come join in, it matters not where you're bound

I'll shout it from the mountain tops

I want the world to know

The joy of friends has come to me

I want to pass it on.

30. Prairie Rose (Tune: Edelweiss)

Prairie Rose, Praise Rose

Every morning you greet us.

Pink and white lovely sight

You look happy to greet us.

Here in Alberta you grow so free

Lining fields and highways

Prairie Rose, Prairie Rose

Bless Alberta forever!

31. Rover

See those clouds, rolling on their way

See those stars, shining so gay

Hear the wind in the tall pine trees

And you'll know exactly why I'm free

Chorus:

I am a Rover, rolling along

Rover, singing a song

I am a Rover, until the day I die

Have few friends, but they are true

The mountains, the flowers, the sea of blue

I'm just a wanderer, never standing still

And I must go onwards to the hills

Through this world I'm bound to roam

Without a bed, a fire or a home

But I have a friend and a friend that is true

And that my comrade, that is you

32. Scarborough Fair – England

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,

Remember me to one who lives there,

For once he was a true love of mine.

Have him make me a cambric shirt,

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,

Without a seam or fine needle work,

And then he’ll be a true love of mine.

Have him find me an acre of land,

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,

Between the sea and over the sand,

And then he’ll be a true love of mine.

Love imposes impossible tasks,

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,

Though not more than any heart asks!

And I must know he’s a true love of mine.

33. Skye Boat Song - Scotland

Chorus:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing.

Onward! The sailors cry.

Carry the lad that's born to be king

Over the sea to sky.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,

Thunderclouds rend the air.

Baffled, our foes stand on the shore.

Follow, they will not dare.

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,

Ocean's a royal bed.

Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep

Watch by your weary head.

34. Slumber, Slumber

Slumber, my little one, Slumber my pretty one,

Float on the starry stream;

Worlds of all loveliness, wonderful world,

Filling your magical dream.

Slumber, slumber.

Float on the starry stream;

Worlds of wonder

Fill your dream.

Slumber so peacefully, Slumber so happily,

Lifted beyond the blue,

Where in the starlight the moon is a boat,

Quietly carrying you.

Slumber, slumber,

Lifted beyond the blue,

Where in starlight

Carries you.

35. Sur Le Pont D’Avignon - France

Chorus:

Sur le pont d’Avignon,

L’on y danse, L’on y danse,

Sur le pont d’Avignon.

L’on y danse tout en rond.

Les messieurs font comme ci,

Et puis encore comme ca.

Les mesdames font comme ci,

Et puis encore comme ca.

36. The Blue Bells of Scotland - Scotland

Oh where, tell me where does your highland laddie dwell?

He dwells in merry Scotland at the sign of the bluebell,

And it’s oh, in my heart,

How I love my laddie well.

Oh where, tell me where, does your highland laddie dwell?

His bonnet is of Saxon green and his waistcoat is of plaid,

And it it’s oh in my heart,

How I love my highland lad.

37. The Riddle Song - England

I gave my love a cherry that has no stone,

I gave my love a chicken that has no bone,

I gave my love a story that has no end,

I gave my love a baby with no cryin’.

How can there be a cherry that has no stone?

How can there be a chicken that has no bone?

How can there be a story that has no end?

How can there be a baby with no cryin’?

A cherry when it’s bloomin’, it has no stone,

A chicken when it’s pippin’, it has no bone,

The story that I love you, it has no end,

A baby when it’s sleepin’, there’s no cryin’.

38. This Little Guiding Light of Mine

This little Guiding light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little Guiding light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little Guiding light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, oh, no

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, oh, no

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, oh, no

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

Take my little light round the world

I'm gonna let it shine

Take my little light round the world

I'm gonna let it shine

Take my little light round the world

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

Don't you blow my little light out

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't you blow my little light out

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't you blow my little light out

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

39. The Rain Song – Navajo Indian

Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah

Conish, conish par lo shay chic a bin chic a bin pah ko kay

This is a Navajo prayer for rain. The tapping rhythm accompanies only the first section and is very soft. It is made by two beats on the thigh, then a triplet and one beat, tapped by two fingers on the opposite palm. At the end of the song, after a moment’s silence, the rain is heard. Following the leader’s timing all rub hands together, then clap softly, getting louder and ending by clapping on thighs.

40. Today – Randy Sparks

Chorus:

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today.

I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover
You’ll know who I am by the songs that I sing
I’ll feast at your table, I’ll sleep in your clover
Who cares what the morrow shall bring

I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glory
I can’t live on promises winter to spring
Today is my moment, now is my story
I’ll laugh and Ill cry and I’ll sing.

41. Tumbalalaika (2-Part Song) – Yiddish Love Song

Stayed a lad awake the night through.

Thinking, thinking, what would he do?

Whom shall he marry?

No longer tarry?

Whom shall he marry?

No longer tarry?

Chorus:

Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika,

Tumbalalaika, Spielballalaika.

Tumbalalaika, fraylach zol zain.

Maiden, maiden, tell if you know

What though it have no rain can grow?

What can burn for years and years?

What can yearn and cry without tears?

Foolish lad, you surely should know,

A stone though it have no rain can grow;

Love can burn for years and years,

A heart can yearn and cry without tears.

42. Wandering Wind – Sue Stevens

Chorus:

Wandering wind, blowing free,

Where do you go, what do you see?

North wind of the drifting snow, blow across the sea,

Blow the cool of quietness a thousand miles to me.

South wind of the golden sands, blow across the sea,

Blow the warmth of friendliness a thousand miles to

East wind of the rising sun, blow across the sea,

Blow the hopefulness of dawn a thousand miles to

me.

West wind of the summer rain, blow across the sea,

Blow the gentleness of love a thousand miles to me.

43. Weave – Rosemary Crow

Chorus:

Weave, weave, weave us together,

Weave us together in unity and love.

Weave, weave, weave us together,

Weave us together, together in love.

We are many textures, we are many colours,

Each one different from the other.

But we are entwined with one another

In one great tapestry.

We are different instruments playing our own melodies,

Each one tuning to a different key.

But we are all playing in harmony,

In one great symphony.

A moment ago, still we did not know

Our unity only diversity.

Now the Spirit in me greets the Spirit in thee

In one great family.

44. Yellow Bird - Jamaica

Yellow bird, up high in banana tree. Yellow bird, you sit alone like me.

Did your lady friend leave the nest again?

That is very sad, make me feel so bad.

You can fly away, in the sky away.

You more lucky than me.

I also have a pretty gal, she not with me today.

They all the same, the pretty gal,

Make them the nest, then they fly away.

Yellow bird, up high in banana tree. Yellow bird, you sit all alone like me.

Better fly away in de sky away.

Picker coming soon, pick from night to noon.

Black and yellow you, like banana too.

They might pick you some day!

Wish that I was a yellow bird, I fly away with you.

But I am not a yellow bird, so here I sit nothing else to do!

Yellow bird, yellow bird, yellow bird.