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Courage
Copyright 2002 Tom Gardner

There are those who aim to hurt and try to keep you down
but it’s their insecurity that makes them push around
but if you like yourself then you won’t feel you’ll have to stay
it takes lots of courage then to turn and walk away

There are those who sit and see the bad things all around
they’re the ones who are afraid the world is going down
if you decide you want to see your life with sunny skies
then all of those around you will see courage in your eyes

If you’re going to speak up then SAY SOMETHING
If you’re going to stand up then STAND FOR SOMETHING
If you’re going to march on then DO SOMETHING
with the cour-age in your heart

If you’re going to smile then SMILE ON SOMEONE
If you’re going to reach out then TOUCH SOMEONE
If you want to feel good then HELP SOMEONE
Find the courage in your heart
(You’ll find the) cour-age in your heart

There are those who follow those who take the darker side
it’s courage that will pull you out if you would just decide
then you can be the leader and then those who follow you
can help the lives of others and then they will do it too

I can do it, (kids echo)
I know I can, (kids echo)
because I am, (kids echo)
what I believe I am (kids echo)

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Everybody's Getting Around
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn

Everybody's getting around, everybody's getting around
Some are in the water, Some are in the air
But everybody's getting around

Millions of years way back in time, the exact date I don't know
People started walking but they had no place to go
They hunted for berries and hunted for food, then they came back home
Someone invented vacations then everybody started to roam

Walking made all so tired so they sat down on the ground
They still needed transportation to get them round this town
Some in a neighborhood cave became a real big deal
When he invented a big round thing now everybody loves the wheel

One man sat by a river and watched a leaf blow in the wind
First it blew to the other side then it blew back again
He thought it was so wonderful the way the leaf could float
So he got some vines and big old logs and he invented the boat

Humans watched birds fly over and everyone would stare
Wishing they could find a way to travel up in the air
Then two dudes in a bicycle shop said why not give it a try
So Orville and Wilbur made a plane they were riders in the sky

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Family Trip
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn

We're going on a family trip it's gonna be a long long ride
So we've got a list of games to play songs to sing along the way
We're going on a family trip

Mom said let's all count the yellow cars
So for an hour and half we counted yellow cars
We looked ahead and looked behind
We counted eight or maybe nine
Yellow cars were hard to find
While riding on a family trip

Dad said let's count Jersey license plates
For an hour we all counted Jersey plates
We counted 1,099
We were in Jersey all the time
Dad has got a funny mind
While riding on a family trip

Little brother was drinking lots of juice
For the first three hours he kept drinking juice
Hawaiian punch and then Hi-C
He drank his juice up 123
So he had to stop to rest
While riding on a family trip

My sister yelled out let's all sing some songs
So for an hour and half we sang our favorite songs
The Ants Were Marching three by three
You are My Sunshine and ABC's
Don't Miss the Boat and Learn to Read
While riding on a family trip

We finally it to our first motel
After twelve long hours we found our first motel
When mom and dad had time to spare
All the fun things we would share
Half the fun was getting there
While riding on a family trip

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Great Big Spinning Ball
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn

There's a blue sky and a yard that's bright and green
Oh it's a great day the best I've ever seen
I'm gonna kick off my shoes and then I'll run
Beneath the blue sky and the great big yellow sun

There's a green frog that's sitting by the pond
I'll find a stick that can be my magic wand
I'll turn that frog into a boat and then I'll ride
Beneath the yellow sun and the big blue sky

It's a day for fun it's a day for living free
It's a magic world and there's magic that's in me
It's a day to sing a song that is my own
On this great big spinning ball that I call home

There's a black bird and it's singing a tree
He's a loud bird but he's not as loud as me
So I'll sing out and though he'll fly away
He always comes back singing later in the day

There's a brown dog that barks and licks my face
When I'm dreaming and staring into space
At the white clouds as they slowly drift on by
Like white cotton candy up in the big blue sky

There's a red barn and it's on our neighbors land
If I squint my eyes I can hold it in my hand
Like a giant I can carry it away
And the black and white cows can find somewhere else to play

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It's Just A Game
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn, Tom Gardner, Carl Stober

Our school has a baseball team and they win lots of games
The coaches say there are no stars they treat us all the same
We congratulate the other team for the way they played
Cause we know we can win lose on any given day

It's just a game for everyone
So get out there and have some fun
Win or lose it's all the same
So try your best because it's just a game
Do your best, it's just a game!

Our soccer team they seldom win but losing is no crime
Kids and parents all come out and cheer them every time
They show lots of spirit and they never ever quit
They come out and play the game for the fun of it

There are so many people who never chance the dream
they're afraid to fail so they don't ever join the team
Don't be afraid of losing and if you lose don't cry
'cause you'll always be a winner if you get out and try

So put me into the ballgame and I will try my best!

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I Will Never Smoke
Copyright 2002 Tom Gardner

I know it's habit forming and it's tough to quit
it's hard to say no when your friends are doing it
But your lungs were never meant to have tar on top
so why would you start if it's so hard to stop
I want to breathe with ease not cough and choke
So I say NO WAY, I will never smoke (3 times)

Those with the habit made me curious to know
just how much money goes up in smoke
If you smoked for years just think about the cash
Do you want a pile of money or a big pile of ash?
I don't want to grow up sick and broke
So I say NO WAY, I will never smoke (3 times)

I want to play sports and dance and sing
I want to be able to hike in the spring
I want to exercise without needing a nap
I just want to live and that is that!

I believe we choose to live healthy or not
That my friends is the message we got
Some think they'll live forever no matter what we say
even the surgeon general warns them but they do it anyway
I want to live and breathe and that's no joke
So I say NO WAY, I will never smoke (3 or 4 times)

If you're learning in school sing IWNS
If you're riding in your car sing IWNS
If you're with your mom or dad sing IWNS
Whereever you are sing IWNS
If you're on the computer sing IWNS
If you're playing video games sing IWNS
If you're out playing soccer then sing IWNS
you probably aren't listening but IWNS
when you get done sing IWNS

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Just Say No ( To Drugs)
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn

I want to live in a natural way
I won't be cheated of a single day
My body and mind are mine so I say
Just say no to drugs

I had a friend who said all the time
take this man oh you'll feel just fine
It took no great mind to see
He was no friend to me

I knew a kid who was constantly high
missing out on life as it went by
He never spent life straight
and now it's much too late

Drugs aren't fresh and drugs aren't cool
so don't become some pusher's fool
You just might wind up dead
let him be the fool instead

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Magic Pencil
Copyright 2002 Tom Gardner

I've got a magic pencil, it takes all of my dreams
and puts them on the paper, at least that's how it seems
Whatever I think whatever I imagine ends up in a story
My magic pencil long and sharp, I'll always keep it near my heart
It's something I will always hold until I'm a million years old

Now I'm using my magic pencil to make a magic list
of people I want to write to, people I really miss
I feel so good when I receive a letter I thought I would write one first
With my magic pencil long and sharp, I'll always keep it near my heart
I'll keep so many of my friends from the letters, that I send

Now I've got a lot of homework, but I don't have a lot of time
I should have done it sooner, but I couldn't wake up my mind
I've got three pages of math do do and I know how I'll get it done
With my magic pencil long and sharp, I'll always keep it near my heart
I'll ace it like I always do, but next time I'll do it after school

Now I'm using my magic pencil to say sorry to my dad
I left my room too messy and it really made him mad
Now I'll write down words and I'll draw him a picture to say how sorry I am
With my magic pencil long and sharp, I'll always keep it near my heart
When he reads my note a smile will light and I'll know everything will be all right

Now I lost my magic pencil, it wore completely down
from turning in the sharpener now it's shavings on the ground
What'll I do now what'll I write with now that my friend is gone...
So I took another pencil long and new, checked to make sure it was a number two
slowly cranked the tip so sharp, now I'll always keep it near my heart
I've got a brand new magic pencil now to write everything I'm feeling down

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The Man In The Moose
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn & Tom Gardner

It was a Saturday in October it was Halloween again
And the neighbors gave a party said wear a costume if you can
Some came as famous people some costumes hard to explain
Some of the women were witches and the Jones came as a train
Mrs. Jones was the engine, her husband the caboose
And Mr. Ryan left his house dressed just like a moose
Well the head of the moose was just too big for Mr. Ryan to see
He never made it to the party; he just wandered down the street

Daddy daddy there's a moose in the yard and it sounds like Mr. Ryan
Daddy daddy there's a moose in the yard I promise I'm not lyin
He looked hot so we hosed him down
And then he started dancing around
there's a man in the moose and he can't get loose
And he's headed out into town

He got on a bus to Kansas but Kansas sent him home
We like our dear and our antelope so it's time for you to roam
And he wound up in a back yard some kids shot him with a hose
He got water in his fuzzy ears and a gusher up his nose
Now Mrs. Ryan's not worried she sips iced tea in the shade
With Mr. Ryan up and gone this girl has got it made
She goes to the movies every night and restaurants every day
If she knows where he's hiding, she's not willing to say

And if he comes back hungry she put some hay out on the stairs
She put a picture of a moose on a carton of milk so people will think she cares
Now Mr. Ryan's at the zoo and the kids all gather round
They all want to take his picture cause he's the funniest moose in town
Now he loves making children laugh as he dances for his food
And he makes friends with the other moose they just love his attitude
so if you're ever on a field trip and you end up at the zoo
Just say hello to Mr. Ryan and watch him dance for you

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Talk To Me
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn

Talk to me,If you've got trouble you should talk to me
You know I love you, you should talk to me
And then you'll see, it's easier

Everybody has a day every now and then
When you need a little help, and a kind word from a friend
Everybody has a time when they're not sure
Just call out my name cause that's what I' here for

Things may not be quite as bad as they seem
If something brought you down or you had a horrible dream
If something's holding you down and you can't get free
And you need someone to talk to you should think of me

When someone leads you down a path that isn't right
And it's keeping you awake in the middle of the night
And you need someone to tell you how to tell them no
Together we can find a way to tell them so

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Teasebuster
Copyright 2002 Danny Quinn & Tom Gardner

She just got new glasses and she wore them at her school
Some of the kids were teasing her but we thought she looked cool
The words they said were hurting her and she began to cry
Then weI walked up beside her then we told her why

We are teasebusters some don't think it through
the words that they're about to say might be mean and cruel
We are teasebusters and we just turn away
We won't get sad we won't get mad no matter what they say

He was a little quiet he was new in town
But the kids they didn't know him, so they joked around
They didn't think to notice that he had feelings too
So my friends and I we said to him don't let it get to you

Kids from other planets who live up in the skies
Make fun of my friend and I 'cause we only have two eyes
They have 27 they got 'em on their nose and knees
they must have trouble seeing every time they kneel or sneeze

We are teasebusters so if you're from outer space
Why did you come all this way to make fun of my face?
We are teasebusters and we just turn away
We won't get mad we won't get sad no matter what they say

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Thank You Letters
Copyright 2002 Tom Gardner

It only takes a minute to say I thank you
it only takes a moment don't... hestitate
you'll feel better writing thank you letters
showing that you really appreciate

Has someone done something nice for you
maybe a gesture or a gift
did they give you a very nice compliment
did it give your heart a lift?

did you have help with your homework
from a parent or a friend
they helped you to be smarter
now how can you help them?

There's so much that we can be thankful for
if you just look and see
You can look up above or just look next door
there is so much there for you and me

There's one time of the year when we give thanks in many ways
but Thanksgiving is an idea we should live with every day

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When We're Happy We Laugh
Copyright 2002 Tom Gardner

People are people no matter how they look
even if they read from a different book
we all have blood and we all have bones
we all have dreams that we call our own
There are so many places where we all come from
there are thousands of languages from billions of tongues

But when we're hungry we eat when we're tired we sleep
when we're cold we put something on our hands and feet
In school we try when we&Ms w re bored we sigh
When we're happy we laugh and when we're sad we cry

Everyone is special wherever you go
we all share something amazing you know
We're all connected by the magic inside
So get to know someone before you decide
There are so many places where we all come from
there are thousands of languages from billions of tongues

You always hear how different we are
it's true me and you are like the moon and the stars
people of every colored skin
all breathe the same air in
There are so many places where we all come from
there are thousands of languages from billions of tongues

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Rainbow
Copyright 2001 Tom Gardner

I had a dream that I built a spaceship
and went to a planet where everything was blue
The people and the pets and the toys and the houses
and I woke up hoping that it's just not true!"

Our world is a rainbow and we are the colors
We all make it a beautiful place
Rainbow, and we are the artists
Let's paint the sky with a smiling face

When I was ten I had two best friends
one had brown skin the other had white
One of us like baseball ,one liked basketball
and one liked no ball and that's alright

I went on vacation to place called China
where everyone spoke in a different way
I didn't understand a single word
I learned that we're all different, and we're all the same

The little bear was scared to go to school
"..but I'm different than everyone in every way"
her mother said, "Yes" but you are special, too
I bet you' ll make a friend by the end of the day
...and she did

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Power of Words
Copyright 2003 Tom Gardner

Everyone has something they can
use for anything they can
choose to use them for wrong or right
(you can) use them in letters sent
(you can) use them in a compliment
you can lift up a heart to the highest height

I'm talking 'bout words... (2) When they use their words (3) It's all about words
(they are more powerful than any machine)
your words...
(can make or lose a friend if you know what I mean)
choose your words...
Think very carefully, before you speak to me
Because the power you hold
are the power of words

Every now and then you're bound to
hear words that'll bear down on you
they may try and hurt you and you won't know why
so you hold your head up strong their
words won't last for long the
weaker ones will try and make you cry

I'm so amazed by the power in me
from something that no one can even see
so many use them so carelessly
but we have a choice
how we use our voice

So here&Ms w s a little challenge for you
every day here's a thing you can do
pick someone you don't often spend much time with
find something you like about them
pick a few words then just tell them
you'll find that both of you get lifted high

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Ice Cream Sundae
Copyright 2003 Tom Gardner

We ...need... a bowl that's big enough
maybe as big as your school
I ...think I have a good idea
Let's use a nice big swimming pool

Now we need truck loads of ice cream
enough to fill up the pool
keep those trucks a comin
any flavor in the world will be totally cool

I wanna someday build an ice cream sundae
that's bigger than your freezer and bigger than a tree
then I'm gonna find a million hungry people
and give 'em a spoon to share it with me

Whoa whoa whoa I love an ice cream sundae
Whoa whoa whoa and everyone will love it too

Next...comes... a ton of syrup
chocolate, sticky and hot
we...can..use a helicopter
to cover our sundae from bottom to top

Now we... will ask a farmer
can we borrow a bunch of cows?
cause we need a blizzard of whipped cream
we'll push it on top with big snow plows

Now there is something missing
there's is something we have to do
let's all shovel on the crunchies
gummies and sprinkles, and peanuts too

Where will we find a cherry
bigger than you and me?
I'll climb the beanstalk just like Jack
and I'll borrow a cherry from the giant's tree

and we'll use... cherry vanilla, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie dough
mint chip, butter pecan and peach, cookies and cream and rocky road
coffee, toffee, ripple fudge, pistacio and rum raisin
vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and when I get done, I'll run, to the gym!

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My Candy Tree
Copyright 2003 Tom Gardner, Jesse Gardner

I'm gonna grow a candy tree
as sweet as it can be
I can't wait for candy that I can pick
It'll grow in soil of Nestles Quik
My great big candy tree

We'll plant some bubble gum seeds
we might get candy cane weeds
Every day before I eat my lunch
I'll water my tree with Hawaiian Punch
To grow my candy tree

As my tree begins to grow
The candy begins to show
Starbursts budding from a Twizzler twig
Butterfinger bars are getting mighty big
Snickers snickering in the air
Lollipops popping up everywhere
From my growing candy tree

Here's my full grown candy tree
A living candy factory
before the winter comes we'll pick it clean
I'll be so popular at Halloween
I'll share with everyone in town
There's plenty of goodies to go around
because of my candy tree

Now I've been waiting all winter long
My candy is almost gone
The warm weather's coming I can taste the sweets
I can't wait to grow another batch of treats
soon M&Ms will pop out in the spring
When I see 'em I'll begin to sing
All about my candy tree

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Halloween Parade
Copyright 2003 Tom Gardner

I've waited 365 days for another Halloween
our neighborhood looks like a giant parade with every costume you've ever seen
now it's almost time, it's almost dark, we gotta get to every house on the street
Get your costume on it's time to start, time to say,"trick or treat!"

and we'll see...
(and we passed...)
(and we'll give candy to...)
(and now I'll dream about...)

Pokemon, Obe Won, a Cinderella princess
a pirate and a pumpkin and fireman
Spongebob, Catdog, a bumble bee, a green frog
a mummy and a bunny and an indian

Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and witches
a ghost and a goblin in a monster mask
cheerleaders, M&Ms even ugly aliens
everyone's happy and having a blast

Now our bags are getting mighty heavy and our feet are a little cold
I collected so much candy I'll have enough until I grow old
maybe we'll ring just a couple more bells in the costumes that we made
on our way home we pass all the characters just like a Halloween parade

When we get home we dump all the candy in a big pile on the floor
it might be my imagination but this year I think we got more
we separate the chocolate from the lollipops and put all the money in a pile
when the doorbell rings then it's our turn to hand candy out for a while

Now my head is about to fall on my pillow and my eyes are ready to close
It was a really long night of trick or treating I'm sore from my head to my toes
I don't want to see any candy any more I might give it all away to my friends
now I'm off to sleep and the dreams arrive I see everyone all over again

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Reach Out
Copyright 2001 Danny Quinn, Anne Connelly

I'm gonna reach out though you don't know me Reach out though you might not care I'm gonna reach out you'll get to know me We have got this world to share

Bob was also in Carlos class When they picked teams he was picked last While playing kickball his turn as kicker Even his team would laugh and snicker

Carlos told Bob not to worry Forget them man you can do this really Bob concentrated and kicked away He kicked his first homerun that day

No one thought that Bob could do Except for Carlos somehow he knew it He knew there's power in everyone And showed them all in the gym class sun

If you reach out and help someone If you say just try you'll get it done The other person might just believe you And you'll be glad you helped them too

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Not Good Yet
Copyright 2003 Tom Gardner

I Thought I'd learn how to skate sometime
to fly like the wind and then stop on a dime
maybe I'm be in the winter olympics
and maybe I'm win a medal of gold

but now I'm just learning it's hard for me
The ice is a little too slippery
When I try to fly I only manage to fall
and in order to stop I have to crash into a wall

I'd love to paint like Van Goh or Dali
or at least like the guy who paints on the TV
in 30 short minutes he's done with a scene
That's what I want to do I want to paint what I dream

Now with careful precision I dab and I stroke
I'm gonna paint that house with a chimney and smoke
but everyone asks, "What the heck is this?"
I said whatever you think it is, then, that's what it is

Now I want to play the electric guitar
be the cool dude on stage standing next to the star
with the fans goin crazy and the lights on me
my fingers move so fast you can't even see

But I gotta start somewhere so here I am
Got a chord chart and a guitar in my hands
I practice all night and I practice all day
But this is what happens when I start to play........

I want to sing with incredible range our national anthem at a world series game I'll sing so loud and I'll sing so clear the crowd will stop talking because they want to hear

I better start practicing constantly I'll warm up my voice with a me me me me... But when I sing I scare all the squirrels from the trees And all the dogs around pack up and move away from me

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I Can
Copyright 2001 Tom Gardner

If you want to build a monster in the snow
just get your gloves and say I CAN
If you want to learn everything there is to know
read every day and say I CAN

  Half the job is seeing in your mind,
  the other half is believing in your heart
  If you really really want to do anything
  just find a way and say I CAN

If you want to blow a bubble as big as a tree
imagine that and say I CAN
If you want to be a star on MTV
Just copy them and say I CAN

You can talk to a rabbit or a bird or a snake
now just pretend and say I CAN
You can ride down a river of a chocolate shake
if your imagination says I CAN

If you want to catch a fish with an ice cream scoop
it might look silly but say I CAN
You can write your name in alphabet soup
just open a can and say I CAN

If you want to take your family on a trip to space
just build a ship and say I CAN
You can live your life with a smiling face
Just move your face and say I CAN

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Mothers Day Song
Copyright 2005 Tom Gardner

  I'm glad you're my mother and I'm glad I'm your child
  I'm sorry if sometimes I act way too wild
  but I know you wouldn't have it any other way
  I love you mom happy mother's day

I managed to grow and you helped all the way
from diapers to bottles to grade after grade
though I don't say this often I wish I did
after all mom I am only a kid

You know I think you're pretty so don't take this wrong
but you look kind of tired pretty much all day long
you drive me all over like a new york city cab
by night time you look like you had it

Now that I'm older I look back and see
all that you did just because of me
you gave up a lot you know I know that now
I'll do the same for my kids someday

  I'm glad you're my mother and I'm glad I'm your child
  I'm sorry if sometimes I acted too wild
  but I know you wouldn't have it any other way
  I love you mom happy mother's day

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Team Work
Copyright 2001 Tom Gardner, Danny Quinn

  Everyone is important
  if you know what I mean
  we can make it happen
  we're part of a great big team

Some people write and others sell,
and some you go to to make you well
Some volunteer and coach the team,
and others keep your schools so clean
Some drive the bus and others teach,
some paint houses and others preach
Some protect both you and me,
and some stay home and raise a family

There are those who entertain,
and some make up computer games
Some fix roads some fix your car,
some pump the gas so you'll go far
Some bring you letters every day,
some clean the pool so you can play
Some make things like bikes and toys,
some make clothes for girls and boys

Some catch dogs and bugs and mice,
some keep lawns and gardens nice
Some run countries some run towns,
some are jugglers some are clowns
First base second base third base too,
or the one on the bench it might be you
You may not hit but just the same,
it takes a whole team to win the game

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The Other Happy Birthday Song
Copyright 2001 Danny Quinn, Tom Gardner

Your friends from far and near
Have all gathered here
To celebrate this day
Together we will say.....

Another year has gone
Since last we sang this song
We all remember when
And so we sing again...

May good fortune come to you
In all the things you do
In the year that lies ahead
Remember what we said.......

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Can't Wait To Go To School
Copyright 2005 Tom Gardner

I think I'll learn arithmatic
adding up any numbers I pick
I'll count pennies and nickels and dimes
when I learn to add, subtract, divide, and multply

I can't wait to go to school
then I will be a big kid, too
I'll make friends and learn so much at school
like arithmatic, when I go to school

I really want to learn to read
then I'll travel to the library
I'll be the main character in every book I read
when I go to the library
I'll be in every book I read

I can't wait to go to school
then I will be a big kid, too
I'll make friends and learn so much at school
like arithmatic, and I'll learn to read, when I go to school

I will love to read about the earth
and all the animals around the earth
and how to take care of the planet we share
with animals and insects, people too
and everything on the earth

I can't wait to go to school
then I will be a big kid, too
I'll make friends and learn so much at school
like arithmatic, and I'll learn to read,
all about the earth, when I go to school

I will learn about the people of the world
all the different kinds of boys and girls
I'll read about what they learn in school
and what they do when they're not in school
I'll learn about everyone

I can't wait to go to school
then I will be a big kid, too
I'll make friends and learn so much at school
like arithmatic, and I'll learn to read, all about the earth,
and people in the world, when I go to school

I will learn about the Golden Rule
treat everybody nice in school
cause I want them to be really nice to me
and every day I'll be in the place
where all of my friends will be

I can't wait to go to school
then I will be a big kid, too
I'll make friends and learn so much at school
like arithmatic, and I'll learn to read, all about the earth,
and people in the world, and the Golden Rule,
that's what I'll learn when I go to school

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Try, Try Again!
Copyright 2005 Tom Gardner

if you want to tie your shoes but can't make a knot
and every time you try the laces go flop
your fingers are tired and you want to quit
but you keep tryin and you'll get it

you want to build of model of a fire truck
but the glue spills over, your fingers get stuck
you don't want to finish cause you're not having fun
but just keep at it and it will get done

your friend skips rope forever it seems
but you keep tripping and ripping your jeans
you get all tangled up and you want to rest
but if you keep jumping you could be the best

Now you're rolling a snowball for the snowman's head
you put it on top but it crumbles instead
your hands are cold and you want to stop
but Mr. Snowman needs a head on top

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Waltzing Matilda
Traditional

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

Down come a jumbuck to drink from that Billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me'"

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

Up came the squier mounted on his thoroughbred
Up came the Troopers- one, two, three
"Who's that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
"Who's that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"

But up jumped the swaggie as he sprang into that Billabong
You'll never catch me alive says he
And his ghost may be heard as you passed by that Billabong
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
And his ghost may be heard as you passed by that Billabong
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

FYI: Here's an explanation of Australian slang in the song-
Billabong: A waterhole
Billy: A can or small kettle used to boil water for tea
Coolabah tree: A type of native tree in Australia
Jumbuck: A sheep. There are 20 times as many sheep as there are people in Australia
Squatter: At one time, squatters claimed (seized) land for themselves in
addition to land that they had been granted. Eventually through the continuous
occupation of the land, their claims were legitimized in the eyes of the law
Swagman: (Swaggie) Someone who lives on the open road. A hobo. The term
came from the canvas bag that they would carry their bedroll and/or belongings in
Trooper : In Australia's early days, there was no police force. The colony
was protected by and policed by soldiers and even when a police force was
eventually formed, they were still referred to as 'troopers'
Tucker bag: A bag for storing food in the bush

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Pieces of a Puzzle
Copyright 2005 Danny Quinn

In my family I am a three letter word
That means I am a male offspring of my mother and my dad
And in my family I am a seven letter word
That means I am a male sibling to my sister and she's glad
That (chorus)

In my community I am a seven letter word
That means I am a resident the and it starts with a 'c'
And in my community we help out when we can
We do a nine letter word and we do it all for free
Because (chorus)

In this great big world there is a five letter word
That means a great big bunch of water and we cross now and then
So with careful understanding if we take the time to listen
We solve another puzzle and we make another friend

Some of us are squiggles and some of us are straight lines
Some of us are corners that make our puzzle whole
We are different shapes and sizes but we realize is
Every single piece of puzzle has its own important role

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Bully Bubba
Copyright 2006 Tom Gardner

Now Bubba makes fun of kids that are smaller
That's how he feels better 'bout himself
People that are mean have lower self esteem
They think they can take it from everybody else
My friend Johnny met a boy like Bubba
It got so bad he didn't want to go to school
But he talked to his teachers and he talked to his parents
And then he learned why bullies do the things they do (chorus)

So what should you do when you meet someone like Bubba?
Should you run, or hide, and what should you say?
Try to act brave and try to ignor 'em
Cause when you ignor bullies their power goes away
You need to tell someone cause telling isn't tattling
Telling's what we do to protect you and me
And never join in and watch a bully bully
an audience is really all a bully ever needs (chorus)

Now here's a little story 'bout the smallest little girl
With the largest little heart that you never did see
Now Bubba one day made a mistake and tried to bully her
And what happened next you really won't believe
Then she stared him the eyes and never even cried
Then all of Bubba's friends began to laugh at him
Bubba put his head down and walked passed everyone
And never bothered anybody ever again (chorus)

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Don't Miss The Boat
Copyright 1999 Tom Gardner, Danny Quinn

A little girl she liked to sing but was a little shy
Afraid the kids would laugh at her and make her cry
But she practiced every day to be the best that she could be
Now she's on the radio and sings on the TV CH

Michael he loved basketball but wasn't very fast
When the teams were chosen they would choose him last
But he loved the game so much and he played every day
Now he is the biggest star in the NBA CH

I had a friend who could not read the way he wanted to
So he stayed most every day and practiced after school
The teacher there became his friend gave him the tools he needs
Now that he's a grown up he teaches kids to read CH

The unicorns they laughed and played as the rain came down
When old Noah yelled for them they couldn't hear a sound
They were busy playing games and running on the beach
By the time they noticed the boat was out of reach CH

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Different
Copyright 1995 Danny Quinn

I could talk with a real high voice
or I might speak way down low
I might run fast as a cheetah
or I might run a little bit slow

I could have freckles all over my face
or hair as red as flame
Or I might speak in a different way
or have a real long name

My skin it might be green and orange
or I might have spots of blue
or I might have a hole in the middle of my head
that the wind can whistle through

I might ride in a wheel chair
to get me where I need
or I might wear strong glasses
to help me when I read

I could have problems in my eyes
my body or my mind
or maybe things that slow me down
or stop from time to time.

Just because I'm different and I might seem strange to you
please don't treat me different that’s not the thing to do
Just take the time to know me we might just be friends
Cause different makes the world go around and so my story ends

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The Next Harry Potter
Copyright 2007 Tom Gardner

I'm gonna write the next (pause) Harry Potter, I'm gonna be a famous author you'll see
Cause I got ideas flowing like water, and I got a dream alive inside of me

There's adventure brewing in my mind, and the plot I carefully define
your belief'll be suspending, I'll twist around the ending, it will be so interesting you'll find
I'll make up a new kind of kingdom if I choose to, I'll imagine places you've never seen
I'll invent some characters you're not used to, I'll push out the pages like a writing machine

I'll give it a catchy title, have a forward by a millionaire
It'll have a really fancy cover, on the back will be a picture of me in a chair
I'll be reviewed in the New York Times, in the paper I'll get high acclaim
I'll do a signing at the Barns and Noble write something clever then sign my name

Now there's nothing flowing in my head, my imagination lay down dead
When just a minute ago my mind was a show, now there's just a bunch of nothin instead
I need a brand new source of inspiration So I'll be a wizard with a magic soul
I'll pretend my dog is from an alien nation, and I'll turn my little brother into a troll

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Choices
Copyright 2007 Tom Gardner

But you gotta get in there
I know what I'm saying cause I've been there
There's only one guarantee there
You'll miss, every shot you don't take

Everything you do, comes down to you
and the choices you make, what's the right thing to do?

Should I say 'yes'? Should I say 'No'?
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I do what I know is wrong
Should I refuse to go along?
Should I follow? Should I lead?

How will I know what I really need? Should I yell or should I hide?
Is there anyone around to guide?
The choice is mine, let me take my time

There are many surprises
And what I hope that you realizes is
you can see through disguises
The truth you'll see is clear

Listen to the voices
Of opportunities and choices
Some are junkers some Rolls Royces
Don't worry if you fall I'll be here (CH)

Now I believe that we all know
The way that we should always go
Our heart will speak so listen close
And take the helping hand
Then you'll understand You gonna stand up and be true now?
Every day you can start anew now
It's never, too late, to begin
Don't ever feel alone now
You can take the strength from home now
Just pick up the telephone now
It's up to you if you win (CH)

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