Two Very Silly Songs

The Penguin Song

"Penguins, attention!
Penguins, begin!

Have you ever seen
A penguin come to tea?
Take a look at me,
A penguin you will see!

[last repeat]
Penguins, attention!
Penguins, SALUTE!"

This is a cumulative song: you add in more and more motions as you sing. The more you do, the funnier it gets.

Sing-speak the introduction; the verse is simply a rising and falling scale, e.g., C-D-E-F-G, G-G-F-E-D-C, C-D-E-F-G, G-G-F-E-D-C.

Stand at attention when you sing the intro. Sing the first repeat of the verse standing still. Repeat the intro, and when you sing the verse again, slap your thigh with your right hand like a "penguin wing". The third time around, slap both thighs with both hands. On each successive repeat, add in your right foot, your left foot (in a "penguin waddle" standing still -- this can be tricky!), nod your head, and turn around. Finish with the salute.

Mother Gooney-Bird

Another cumulative song. The tune for this one is a variation of the old Sunday School song, "Father Abraham."

"Mother Gooney-Bird
Had seven chicks.
Seven chicks had Mother Gooney-Bird.
They couldn't fly,
They couldn't swim,
They could only go like this:

Right wing!"

Start each new motion when you call it out. Tuck your right hand in your right armpit and flap your elbow like a gooney-bird. The next time around, call "Left wing!" and do the same with your left elbow. Sing each repeat doing all of the motions you've accumulated. On the next verses, add right foot (in a kind of marching motion), left foot, "nod your head," and "turn around." You can end it, if you haven't collapsed already, by yelling, "Freeze!" or "Sit DOWN!"