Song Lyrics
CHILDREN'S SONGS FOR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS
I’ve recorded over a hundred songs for families and schools. Here are some of the best known and most requested. Some of these, such as “Follow the Voice” and “Mahogany Tree” are for adults as well.
Colors of Earth
Source: words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1988, Discovery Center Music BMI
on The Wind is Telling Secrets and Linking Up
Chorus: We are made of the colors of earth.
Each color is different, each color is true.
We are made of the colors of earth.
And I love the colors that made you.
1: When I look in the eyes of my friends,
I can see topaz, I can see sky.
The green and the gray of the sea rolling by
and a dazzling brown river in the morning.
2: When I look at the hands of my friends,
I can see chestnut, I can see corn.
The color of wheat fields and a dappled brown fawn.
And the rain-kissed black trees in the morning.
Additional Information:
Use with the picture book -- ALL THE COLORS OF THE EARTH
by Sheila Hamanaka, William Morrow, 1994.
Activity: With a partner explore stories about your hands, differences, similiarities.
See Lesson Plans for more information.
Chorus: We are made of the colors of earth.
Signing: we = sweep shoulder to shoulder,
made = twist stacked fists,
color = wiggle fingers by chin,
earth = one fist orbits around the other.
Each color is different. Each color is true.
Signing: different = crossed index fingers then go apart,
true = index moves forward from mouth
We are made of the colors of earth. And I love the colors that made you.
Signing: love = crossed hands in fist pressed to heart,
you = point to all in a sweep.
The Cells Start Moving
Tune: “The Ants Go Marching One by One”
New words: by Sarah Pirtle
Location: Heart of the World
1) The cells start moving one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The cells start moving one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
Lightning flashes on the sea, and simple cells start to be.
And we all keep dancing under the sun. What’s yet to come?
Refrain: Bom, bom, bom, bom. Bom, bom, bom, bom.
2) You can’t fool a molecule, hurrah, hurrah.
You can’t fool a molecule, hurrah, hurrah.
Now the cells have memory, and we’ll get more creativity.
And we all keep dancing under the sun. What’s yet to come?
3) Jellyfish and worms come in, hurrah, hurrah.
Jellyfish and worms come in, hurrah, hurrah
To get a backbone is our wish, so with a swish come the first fish.
And we all keep dancing under the sun. What’s yet to come?
4) To leave the sea you know we oughta, hurrah, hurrah,
Find a way to carry water, hurrah, hurrah.
The ferns and moss in a chain, keep water in their own membrane.
And we all keep dancing under the sun. What’s yet to come?
5) Big and little start to soar, hurrah, hurrah.
The insects and the dinosaur, hurrah, hurrah.
When the plants start to flower, the mammals can begin their hour.
And we all keep dancing, under the sun. What’s yet to come?
6) Then when the first birds came along, hurrah, hurrah,
The earth erupted into song, hurrah, hurrah.
But to make a song inside the heart, humanity had to start.
And the song keeps dancing, under the sun. What’s yet to come?
7) And now us humans on the earth, hurrah, hurrah,
are giving peace a new rebirth, hurrah, hurrah.
In us the earth took a dare to make a species who can care
that we all keep dancing under the sun. What’s yet to come?
8) We’re gonna make a change heroic, hurrah, hurrah.
We’ll bring about the Ecozoic, hurrah, hurrah.
The earth is teaching how to mend. New life awakes in us again,
so we all keep dancing under the sun, cuz we’re what’s to come.
Background information:
Scientist Brian Swimme and geologian Thomas Berry describe this present geological
period as the Ecozoic--a time when there has been such an eradication of the diversity
of species that the Cenozoic Era has ended. The future has the challenge of restoring humankind to the web of life, returning to these fundamentals of the Universe.
* Mutuality, communion. Everything is connected.
* Differentiation, diversity. Everything is different.
* Interiority, self-manifestation.
Everything has its own interior reality. We all grow and have a center.
Follow the Voice
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1993 Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: Magical Earth and Green Flame
1. Follow the voice past the willow,
follow the voice past the stone.
Follow the voice to the harbor
where you must board the boat alone.
But if you set your hand to tiller
and if you steer her by the stars,
and if you ‘low the wind to fill her,
that boat will take you where we are.
2. There is a horse at the shoreline.
There is a horse you may ride.
Narrow the path through the canyon,
no turning back, no need to hide.
But if you ride her firm and steady
and if you lean close to her mane,
and if you ‘low the wind of midnight
the wind will call out your true name.
3. Until you rise with the eagle,
until you rise to her nest
where the soft wings will enfold you
of all of the ones who love you best.
And we will rock you long and steady
until you know you’re not alone.
Until you feel our arms around you,
until you know that you’ve come home,
you’ve come home..
Good Morning to the Sky / Buenos Días Al Cielo
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1997 Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: Linking Up
Good morning to the sky, sky, sky.
Good morning to the ground, ground, ground
Good morning to all the people in the circle.
Let's take a look around.
Buenos días al cielo, cielo, cielo.
Buenos días a la tierra, tierra, tierra,
Buenos días a todos aqui,
a ti, a ti, y a mi.
Heart of the World
Words and music by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music, BMI, 2002
Location: Heart of the World CD
All the people in this room have a heartbeat, have a heartbeat.
We hold the fire of the earth.
And the light of the sun beats inside us like a drum.
We’re together in the heart of the world.
We’re together in the heart of the world.
Chorus:
I ask the birds of peace to fly to my heart
from the sky of the heart of the world. (2x)
All the people in the world have a heartbeat, have a heartbeat.
We hold the fire of the earth.
And the light of the sun beats inside us like a drum.
We’re together in the heart of the world.
We’re together in the heart of the world.
I Am a Person
Words and music by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music, BMI, 1989
Location: Two Hands Hold the Earth
Chorus:
I am a person Echo: I am a person
Like no other Echo: like no other.
Like no other Echo: like no other.
Plant or animal. Echo: Plant or animal.
I shout (I shout) with glee (with glee)
I am me. Whoa, I am me.
And I'm glad (I'm glad) It's true (It's true)
You are you, whoa, you are you.
1. Have you ever watched a tall oak tree
reach it's branches free to the sky?
Have you ever seen a tiny bird
let it's voice be heard - here am I!
2. Have you ever felt a thundershower
fill the sky wit power, break away?
Have you ever had a friend so kind
They just bring sunshine, so I say...
Last chorus: You are a person....
I'm glad, it's true, you are you.
And I shout, with glee, I am me.
Mahogany Tree
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1993, Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: Magical Earth
Background information:
The Selva Lacandona rain forest in eastern Chiapas, Mexico was the ancient
and continuous home of a small group of Lacandon Maya Indians until 1965, when logging roads bulldozed by timber companies opened the way for cattle-ranchers and peasant villagers, all backed by Mexican government policies. More than half of this rain forest was eradicated by 1987, and the intimate forest life of the native people was altered. The Lacandon Maya wisdom for farming within a tropical forest includes timing the planting of crops with signals from the seasons, such as when the flowers drop from the mahogany tree.
Chorus: When you see, when you see the mahogany tree,
oh, tell me what do you see?
When you see, when you see the mahogany tree
in the rainforest of Mexico.
1. I see, said the farmer, my calendar tree.
Mahogany flowers speak to me.
When the blossoms fall and the petals are torn,
I know that it’s time to plant the corn.
2. I see, said the great bird, my butterfly tree.
The food in the branches speaks to me.
I will feast on the moths that hide at the top
while the monkeys howl and the raindrops drop.
3. I see, said the logger, my money tree.
The promise of lumber speaks to me.
This could bring a big price at the company town.
Send the bulldozers in and we’ll cut it right down.
4. I see, said the banker, my money tree.
The shine of the wood speaks to me.
On the forty-fourth floor this could make a fine desk.
Move the bulldozers in and I’ll see to the rest.
5. Stop, said the child, it’s my grandmother tree.
I’ve always known she can speak to me.
She lives in the Mayan memory as a tree of life for my family.
Last chorus: Come around, come around the mahogany tree.
To cut her down you’ll have to pass by me.
We stand in a circle as a family, protect the rainforest of Mexico.
Mama Crow
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1989, Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: The Wind is Telling Secrets
CHORUS:
Mama, Mama Crow, fly up to the mountains
Mama, Mama Crow, fly up so high.
Mama, Mama Crow, fly up to the mountains
What do you see as you pass by?
1. I see twelve deer running down the mountain.
Eleven buffalo running so free.
I see ten campfires with people stirring food pots.
Nine ears of corn just a-waiting for me.
2. I see eight streams rolling down the mountain
Seven little fishes just a swimming so free.
Six sparks of lightning on the mountain
Five rain clouds just a-waiting for me.
3. I see four stars rising up the mountain.
Three little crows a-waiting in their nest.
Two hoot owls calling night is coming.
One moon telling me it's time to rest.
Go to Lesson Plans to learn a method of using this format
for songwriting.
Move with the Moon
Words and music by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music, BMI, 2002
Location: Heart of the World, song 7
1) When the moon is new, our seed goes in the ground.
That moonlight moves inside the seed and new life circles round.
Into a crescent moon, the moon that’s peeking out
Cuz the earth has held that seed, the seed begins to sprout.
Chorus: Move with the moon, and, oh, you will grow.
The garden’s astir, row upon row.
Move with the moon, the tides and the tow,
Dark turns to light and fast turns to slow--ooh.
2) Ah ha, the quarter moon, visible at noon
Seed is bursting into stalk, humming a fast tune.
And now the gibbous moon, shouts into the sky.
Life is good, let’s make a bud and, oh, the colors fly.
Chorus: Move with the moon, and, oh, you will grow.
The garden’s alight, row upon row.
Move with the moon, the tides and the tow,
Dark turns to light and fast turns to slow--ooh.
3) A circle glowing round. Full moon takes her ride
Now from that bud, the petals form, and a flower opens wide
Then bursting into fruit, the moon begins to wane
But in that fruit there is a gift that brings us seeds again.
Chorus: Move with the moon, and, oh, you will grow.
The garden’s apop, row upon row.
Move with the moon, the tides and the tow,
Light turns to dark, and fast turns to slow--ooh.
4) At the last quarter moon, we gather what we’ve grown
And hold in us the harvest time and the harvest takes us home.
As now the moon draws in, a sliver up at dawn
All that was inside the plant is moving underground.
Chorus: Move with the moon, and, oh, you will grow.
The garden’s at rest, row upon row.
Move with the moon, the tides and the tow,
Light turns to dark, and fast turns to slow--ooh.
5. Repeat the first verse, and then this Chorus:
Move with the moon, and, oh, you will grow.
The garden’s coming back, row upon row.
Move with the moon, the tides and the tow,
Dark turns to light and fast turns to slow--ooh.
Mowtay—This Old Mountain
Verses (words and music) by Sarah Pirtle, chorus is Ojibway traditional.
Location: The Wind is Telling Secrets
1. Brother bee comes to taste the berries that grow so thick in the field.
Sister spider spins her web as we look for our meal.
Long ago in this same field, my people stood proud and tall.
From the hills, I hear this old song call.
Koo-ya-tah, Layno, Layno Mowtay.
Hie-no, hie-no, hie-no.
2. Grandmother Mary picks the berries in early July.
Uncle Jim clips the stems so they’re easier to find.
Dogs and cats all run the fields and they hide in the grasses so tall.
From the hills, I hear this old song call.
3. This old mountain holds the secrets of the long ago day.
And my family sings on and on so the songs won’t pass away.
Every song and every story I say over again.
From the hills this song comes like a friend.
Background of the song:
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb taught me the old song, “Mowtay” which has also been recorded
by Libana. I created verses to accompany the song, and before recording, discussed
with Black Snake Woman from Montague, MA how to offer this in a respectful manner.
For many years I tried to find the origin of the song and recently learned that it is Ojibway.
I have corrected the song from how it’s heard on the recording.
English translation: We are one in the infinite sun forever.
My Roots Go Down
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1979 and 1989 Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: Two Hands Hold the Earth, Linking Up and Green Flame
Chorus:
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down.
Many new verses have been created:
* I am a pine tree on a mountainside.
* I am a willow swaying in a storm.
* I am a waterfall skipping home.
* I am a wildflower pushing through stones.
* I am a dolphin leaping high.
* I am white pond lily healing you.
* I am a mouth tasting life.
Background of the Song:
I wrote this song under a winter full moon in 1979 walking along a road while I was attending a retreat led by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb. I began singing it publicly later at the Seneca Women’s Encampment in 1983. The Linking Up book discusses in detail all the ways I’ve used it in the classroom. It has been recorded by several people including Velma Frye, Tom Pease, Bruce O’Brien, and Bonnie Lockhart.
The Quark Song
Tune: La Raspa, Mexican traditional.
(this tune is known commonly but erroneously as “The Mexican Hat Dance”)
New words: Sarah Pirtle, © 2002
Location: Heart of the World
1) The quarks, the quarks, the quarks. Can you believe how we work?
The quarks, the quarks, the quarks. Can you believe how we work?
Riddley riddley roton.
We make the neutrons and protons.
Riddley riddley ratter.
We start to build up the matter
2) The quarks, the quarks we dance, until something big appears.
We dance and dance and dance for 300, 000 years.
Some quarks go up and some go down.
We are not all quarks of one feather.
With the help of the glue of the gluons,
see what happens when we come together.
3) We’re hydro-hydrogen. And he-e-e-lium.
Hydro-hydrogen. And he-e-e-lium.
We’ve invented a wonderful pattern.
We’ve invented a wonderful pattern.
I know this may be hard to fathom.
But we just gave birth to the atom.
4) We atoms dance a storm, and now we are cosmic seeds.
We ripple into stars and build up the galaxies.
We’re invented new places to travel.
We’ve invented new places all over.
We clump into clouds to make star dust.
And explode in a big Super Nova.
5) We’re ox-oxy-gen and cal-al-al-alcium.
We’re car-ar-arbon and so-o-o-odium.
We’re invented new places to gallop.
We’ve invented new places to quiver.
Some of us dance upon Saturn.
Some of us dance in your liver.
The quarks, the quarks, the quarks.
Can you believe how we work?
The quarks, the quarks, the quarks.
Can you believe how we work!
Background Information:
We are these quarks, we are this hydrogen, we are the dust of these stars, now fifteen billion years later, and when we treat ourselves and the children with whom we work with this reverance and mystery, we flower and they flower. For a lesson plan with this song,
contact Sarah or see the Winter 2006 issue of “Pass It On” from the Children’s Music Network.
The Sun Inside Us
by Sarah Pirtle
Location: The Wind is Telling Secrets
1. We were born with the sun inside us,
we were born with the mystery moon.
We were born with the stars to guide us,
we were born with the blackbird's tune.
Cho: So derry down, a diddle-um day.
So we are and so we stay.
We're so strong. We're so smart.
We were born with the loving heart.
2. We were born with the river's turning.
We were born with the river's run.
We were born with the wild bird's yearning.
We were born with the blue jay's fun.
3. We were born with the strength of hickory.
We were born with the seagull’s sight.
We were born with cells of crystal.
We were born with rainbow light.
Talk It Out
Location: "Magical Earth"
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1993 Discovery Center Music BMI
1. I'm so angry I can't see straight.
I'm mad as a bull breaking down a gate.
You and I are in this fight.
Gotta find a way to set things right.
Chorus: Talk it out. We don't wanna do it.
Talk it out. Do we have to go through it?
Talk it out. There is no doubt.
Gotta jump back, come back, talk it out.
2. I walked up to talk to you.
But you turned your head. What can I do?
I try to talk, but you go away.
Gotta jump back, hear me out today.
Chorus: Talk it out. You don't want to do it.
Talk it out. We have to go through it.
Talk it out. There is no doubt.
Gotta jump back, come back, talk it out.
3. I didn't give up. I said, "Come on."
This fight's going on too long."
"I know," you said, and you nearly cried.
Jump back, come back, we both tried.
Chorus: Talk it out. Talk to me.
Talk it out. Now I see.
Talk it out. We can mend.
Jump back, come back, friends again.
There is Always Something You Can Do
Source: words and music by Sarah Pirtle © 1989
on "Two Hands Hold the Earth" and "Linking Up"
This song has been used extensively in New York City school
conflict resolution programs. Several schools in other areas of the country
have created videos of students singing this song during mediation training.
1. There is always something you can do, do do.
When you're getting in a stew, stew, stew.
You can go out for a walk. You can try to sit and talk.
There's always something you can do.
Bridge 1: Whether in a school or family argument.
When you feel you'd really like to throw a fit.
Don't be trapped by fights and fists and angry threats.
Reach for this very ordinary plan.
2. There is always something you can do, do, do.
Yes, it's difficult but true, true, true.
See it from each other's eyes,
find a way to compromise.
There's always something you can do.
Bridge 2: You can use your smarts and not your fist, fist, fist.
You can give that problem a new twist, twist, twist.
You can see it 'round about and upside down.
Give yourself the time to find a way.
3. There is always something you can do, do, do.
When you're getting in a stew, stew, stew.
When you want to shout and scream,
find the words for what you mean.
There's always something you can do.
Tree of Life
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 2002 Discovery Center Music BMI
Location: Heart of the World, Song 9
Come under the branches, shalom.
The wisdom in the branches, salaam.
The earth sings out for peace.
Paz. (Peace in Spanish)
Mir. (Peace in Russian)
Heciva (Japanese word for peace
which is pronounced hay-wah.)
1. Come under the branches,
the branches that are rooted.
Trust your heart to be
open like the leaves
connected to the sunshine.
Share this family tree.
CHORUS:
Tree of life, tree of life. Shalom, the tree of life.
Tree of life, tree of life. Salaam, the tree of life.
Branches of peace spread over us your song
that our hearts once again
Our hearts once again will be strong.
2. If I hurt my neighbor, if I scorn my neighbor,
it will come back to me
If I hold your story, like a trembling branch,
new leaves come to be.
3. I want your heart to reach me,
I need your heart to reach me.
I want all wars to cease.
We all began together. We all belong together.
Come to the tree of peace.
True to Myself
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music BMI, 2002
Location: Heart of the World
1. Dancing through the darkness. I am dancing where my feet go.
I am reaching. I’ll reach forever. I’m dancing all I know.
True to myself. True to myself.
2. Dancing through the shadows. I am dancing my lion’s roar.
I am reaching. I am leaping. Dancing up to that door.
True to myself. True to myself.
Break: Don’t tell me I got to be like somebody else.
Don’t tell me I got to put my dreams on the shelf.
I am dancing with the sunrise, I dance in the rain.
I am moving through the mountains with the hurricane.
True to myself. True to myself.
3. Dancing through the moonbeams.
I am dancing up to that door.
And I reach it. I push it open to the world I’ve dreamed before.
True to myself. True to myself.
4. Dancing with the stardust. I am dancing our planet’s roar.
I am leaping across the canyon. I’m knowing how to soar.
True to myself. True to myself. True to myself.
Two Hands Hold the Earth
© 1984 words and music by Sarah Pirtle
recorded on “Two Hands Hold the Earth”
and “Linking Up.”
My head is in the sky, sky, sky.
My feet are on the ground, ground, ground.
And what about my blood?
It’s from the sea.
And what about my bones?
Like the mountains be.
And my hands, oh, my hands,
I believe with my hands
I could hold this land.
My two hands hold the earth.
My two hands hold the earth.
Two in the Fight / Dos en Una Pelea
© 1997 new words by Sarah Pirtle,
tune - traditional, “Two in the Bed.”
Spanish text - Roberto Diaz
There were two in the fight
and the little one said, "I'm angry, I'm angry."
But the other one started to run away.
"Come back and hear what I have to say.
Keep talking. Keep talking.
Come on back, come on back. We can figure this out." (2x)
Hay dos ninos peleando
y el pequeno dice, "Tengo coraje, tengo coraje."
Pero el otro se quiere echar atras,
"Ven aca, tu y yo podemos hablar.
Hablemos, hablemos.
Ven aca, ven aca. Tu y yo podemos hablar.
Ven aca, ven aca. Esto se puede arreglar."
There were two in the fight,
and the other one said, "I'm angry. I'm angry."
But the little one did not run away.
"Tell me what you have to say.
Keep talking, keep talking.
Talk it out, talk it out, we can figure this out." (2x)
Hay dos ninos peleando
y el otro dice, "Tengo coraje, tengo coraje."
Pero el pequeno quiere hablar. Ya yo no quiero pelear.
Hablemos, hablemos.
Dimelo, dimelo. Esto se puede arreglar. (2x)
Walls and Bridges
© 1993 words and music by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music, BMI
on “Magical Earth”
(revisions made in verse 2)
1. Jackie moved to this school.
Art class is where we met.
We both liked to draw people’s faces. I drew her.
She drew Malcolm X.
Everyone knew we’d be best friends.
They heard us laughing in the hall.
But when I invited Jackie home.
We bumped into a wall.
We bumped into a wall.
Chorus: Why do we make walls? These walls divide us.
Why do we make walls? These walls just hide us.
Why do we make a fist? We could reach out our hands.
I want to make a start building a bridge from heart to heart.
building a bridge from heart to heart.
2. When Jackie came to my house,
my Mom stood at the door.
There was a look upon her face
that I’d never seen before.
All night she kept on scowling.
The next day I asked what’s on your mind?
She said, “Don’t bring Jackie back again.
Stick to your own kind.
Stick to your own kind.”
3. I went to Jackie’s house.
Her Mom was working on a song.
We stood around the piano bench.
She asked me to sing along.
Week by week I came to visit.
One day we cooked a casserole.
We took it over to my house.
My Mom’s face froze.
My Mom’s face froze.
But Jackie’s Mom stretched out her hand.
Jackie’s Mom broke on through.
She said, "Our daughters are best friends.
I’d like to know you, too.
I’d like to know you, too."
4. How do you make a bridge?
It’s built of many days.
Starts with a single step
even when you are afraid.
Starts when you’re speaking up.
Starts when you’re standing tall.
Build a strong bridge, my friend.
No one can make you build a wall.
No one can make you build a wall.
Whale Watch
words by Sarah Pirtle, Discovery Center Music BMI, 2002
Music is a 19th century Irish-American ballad of the Great Lakes called,
“The Cruise of the Bigler.” John and Alan Lomax collected this song, and I learned
it from Pete Seeger.
Location: Heart of the World
1. When I was the age of ten, I went to watch the whales.
They know ‘em by their flukes. They know ‘em by their tales.
All the flukes are different. The patterns aren’t the same.
If you see a humpback tail, then you can learn their name.
Our boat goes into Stellwagen where the whales swim free.
I’ve been there so many times, that the crew knows me.
I’ve seen the whale called Cat’s Paw. You know, she has no fleas.
And I’ve met the Cyclone who’s as gentle as a breeze.
Chorus: Whale Watch! We’re rolling! To starboard look about.
Did you say that rise of spray could be a whale spout?
With cameras at the ready, the scientists proclaim,
We can track each humpback from the tail that tells their name.
2. Watch out for the Drip, a Drip that’s sixty-five feet long.
And you may see Salsa dancing to the ocean’s song.
There’s Lance and there’s Torpedo. But they won’t make us halt.
And Crystal is the baby whose mother’s name is Salt.
Well, some names are so corny, that you gotta cringe.
One baby is named Thread. The mother’s name is Fringe.
The first were Salt and Pepper. Now there’s Pinstripe and there’s Moss.
With all the gunk in their baleen, I’d like to call one Floss.
Chorus
3. Our captain shouts out, “Six o’clock,” that means rush to the back,
And there’s a sight of lacy flukes completely shiny black.
That means that this is Falco, and when we see her calf,
They know her name is Epaulet. Her leaping makes me laugh.
Well, Falco she is feeding. Her giant mouth I see.
Scooping up the sand eels with great frivolity.
She weaves a net of bubbles. Her baby watches proud
as she rises up with open mouth and lunges through that cloud.
Chorus
4. We’re looking out for more whales and I can feel the splash
Of giant waves a rolling as the rainy winds they blast.
I’m leaning from the railing and screaming as I see
Two great heads a-rising up and looking straight at me.
One is just a baby, and its flopping on its back.
They say this is a new calf who gives those waves a crack.
And I would like to name that calf a name we won’t forget.
With all those white dots on its flukes, I’ll call it Bubble Net.
5. And so when it turned autumn, the crew did congregate
for the naming of that new whale. Raise glasses, fill your plate.
I went there and I told them what I thought the name should be.
They laughed and then they shouted, Bubble Net it’s gonna be.
Chorus: Whale Watch! Watch out! To starboard look about.
Did you say that rise of spray could be a whale spout.
And if you see a black tail with dotted alphabet.
It it has white polka dots, it’s probably Bubble Net.
Background:
As portrayed in the song, researchers come together yearly to create names based upon the natural markings on the body of a humpback. Al Avellar from Provincetown started the idea of whale-watching in the 1970’s. He invited Stormy Mayo, one of the three founders of the Center for Coastal Studies. to be on board as a scientist.
Al’s son Aaron, figured out that by noting dorsal patterns he could re-recognize the same whale and distinguish it from other whales. Aaron named Salt from her white encrusted dorsal fin and named the whale who traveled with Salt the name of Pepper.
Reading a scrapbook of names given to humpback whales, I began the song. I’ve gone on over fifteen whale watches along Stellwagan Bank off Cape Cod and Gloucester, MA.
I like to imagine a child who actually gets to name one of the humpbacks.