Singing Girl Scout songs isn’t something I’ve done much as a boy! I imagine that the girls should be more refined, delicate and classy. I’m sure they must sing the kinds of songs that you would sing in a church camp. The songs they sing must be quite different from the songs I have heard at Boy Scout campfires. That’s right?
I have two daughters who have told me the kinds of songs they sing, and I can tell them that they sing the same kinds of songs that boys sing. Maybe even worse! I think some songs they sing would make even a boy scout blush!
It is not to worry; I’m not promoting that kind of song here.
Every time I ask one of the young women I know to tell me her favorite Girl Scout song or Campfire song, the first one they tell me is Princess Pat. So here’s Princess Pat, along with some other camp songs popular with Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, and other girls’ organizations.
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Princess Pat:
This song is a favorite among girls. The entire song is in The Great American Campfire Songbook. It is a song to sing and repeat; The leader sings a line and everyone else repeats. There are also some fun actions to go with it: Princess Pat (poses like Egyptian) Lived in a tree (hands in the air like a tree) Sailed through (hands wavy like the ocean) The Seven Seas (hold 7 fingers then form a ‘C’ with hand) Sailed through (wavy hands) Channel too (trace channel with 2 hands then show # 2) And she took with her (throw sack over shoulder) A rick-a – bamboo. (traces a wavy figure in front as you go down, bending your knees as you go) A rick-a-bamboo (same as above) What’s that? (shrugging) It’s something done (punching one fist on top of the other) by Princess Pat. (Egyptian pose) It’s red and gold (one hand on hip, other hand up) And purple too. (pose backwards) That’s why they call it (cup hands around mouth and yell) It’s a rick-a-bamboo. (same as before) Now Captain Jack (salute) And his mighty crew (salute a few more) They sailed through (same as before) The canal as well. (same as before) But his ship sank (plug his nose and go down) And yours too (point to the audience) If you don’t drink (throws the invisible bag over his shoulder) The rick-a-bamboo. (same as before) Princess Pat (same as before) Saw Captain Jack (hand over eyes like a lookout) She drew him (he staggers like you’re fishing) And brought him back (pat on his imaginary back) She saved his life (salute) And her crew too (greets some more) And you know how? (shrugging) With a rick-a-bamboo. (As before)
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A little miss:
I really don’t know how popular or widespread this song is. A niece of mine taught it to me. I thought it was fun so I’ve included it. I don’t know of any stocks, but there are definitely possibilities. Here are the words: Music and chords are included in the campfire songbook. A little lady, went out to collect some flowers. He stood in the grass, up to his ankles. He saw a bird and thought of turkey feathers. It broke her heart, she let a farmer take her home.
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I like bananas, coconuts, and grapes:
This is another favorite at girl camps. It can really get silly if you replace all vowels with an ‘e’ or ‘a’ or ‘o’ or another vowel. There are 5 vowels, but you can also use the different pronunciations of those vowels. In the first verse you sing: I like bananas, coconuts and grapes. In the second verse, replace all the vowels with an e and sing: E leke benenes, cecenets end grepes. In the third line replace all the vowels with another vowel, as oy canta: O loke bononos coconots ond gropes. You can continue with the vowels you want to use.
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Happy Wanderer:
Just a happy song. It’s great for the outdoors and makes a great hiking song too.
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I love mountains:
Just another happy song. Also an excellent hiking song.
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Cannibal King:
Another very popular girls camp song. The chorus goes pretty fast, but that’s what makes it fun.
This is just a handful of good Girl Scout songs. If you have any favorites that I haven’t included, email me your suggestions. I can always add more to my songbook.