Yes, but what are the lyrics?

On two occasions this week I’ve learnt new lyrics in 2 different songs.

For years I’ve not known what the words were in one line of the first song and in the second song it would seem that I was taught the “wrong” words or maybe an alternative version.

The first mysterious line, that is now clear to me, is from the song “Down on the Corner” by Credence Clearwater Revival. This puzzle was solved when we were watching the current television programme “The Sing Off”. I love this programme that is made in America and features very talented groups singing Accapella in a competition setting.

One of the groups sang “Down on the Corner” with such technique and clarity that I heard the actual words “Bring a nickel, tap your feet” as the final line in the chorus.

Then, at my grandson’s Parent as First Teachers yesterday I read the words of the children’s song “Galoop, went the little green frog.” And I discovered that the line I had been taught was NOT “The all-night frogs go [Clap] La de da de da” but “We all know frogs go [clap] La de da de da.”

I had always imagined a funky group of frogs, who clapped and sang all night when I was singing this ditty.

I think I prefer the version I learnt but I did have to laugh over this confusion and if my grandchildren learn a version different to “my” one I’ll swap to that.

Do you have a funny story to share about song lyrics gone wrong or not understood?

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Graduation week

It is graduation week in the family. On Monday I attended the graduation ceremony for my adult daughter as she received her recently gained qualification. She studied a course that is only provided by the Open Polytechnic so all her learning was via distance.

The venue on Monday was full of adults of all ages and stages who had somehow managed the incredible juggle of distance study, paid employment, family demands and the usual routines and requirements of every day living. To complete any academic qualification is a feat but to study alone brings even more challenges along the way.

Those of us who had stood alongside the students, supporting them as best we could, were well represented too and we clapped and cheered heartily as the ceremony progressed and the achievements were acknowledged.

Cameras clicked and flashed, a supper was offered to share after all the formalities were completed and we all had a very happy time. My father always said that studying was a burden at the time but the qualification was no weight to carry once achieved. There was evidence of lightness in the gathered crowd of graduates on Monday night.

On Friday this week I will attend another graduation. This time it is for my three year old grandson as he has completed his “Born to learn” programme under the Parents as First Teachers scheme.The invitation sets out an hour or more of fun activities, music, story time, presentation of certificates and a cake to cut. The programme that he and his parents were part of has been a rich mine of learning, sharing, relating and empowering. It has been a wonderful support to the new family, offering another strand in his development and bolstering the foundations of all learning through play.