1. The Irrational Anthem

Did you know that the melody to "The Star Spangled Banner" is an old English tavern song? Francis Scott Key's poem was sung to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven" and it caught on. It took until 1931, however, for the song to officially become our national anthem. My own "Irrational Anthem" uses the same melody to create a game that begins simply, but builds to irrational expectations.

Oh say can you see me slap on my knee?
If you'll do the same, we'll begin this new game.
Oh but say I have plans to add clapping hands.
And this we'll repeat 'til the song is complete.
Oh say just suppose that we tried tapping toes
And attempted all three simultaneously.
Oh say have you tried to sway side to side?
Lean left, then reverse ... on this, the fourth verse.
Oh say I'll advise that you now close your eyes.
And let me remark ... it's more fun in the dark.
Oh say one more thing. Do you think you could sing?
La la la la la la la la la la la la.........

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

3. I'll Spell it out for you

You say you can't dance.
Haven't got a clue?
You'll see how easy it is
When I spell it out for you.
I'll teach you to dance
Since you've come to school here.
There's just one thing.
My technique is peculiar.
'Cause I'm not going to tell it ...
I'm going to spell it.
J-U-M-P Jump up and down with me.
J-U-M-P Jump up and down with me.
J-U-M-P Jump up and down with me.
J-U-M-P Jump up and down with me.
I'll spell it out for you.
I'll spell the next thing
That I want you to try.
Don't ask me why.
Because I'll reply....
"Don't ever ask me to tell it.
I prefer to spell it."
S-P-I-N Spin again again again.
(repeat three times)
I'll spell it out for you.
There's one last move
That I want you to get.
Just one more move
Before we quit.
But I'd never tell it.
I always spell it.
S-W-A-Y Side to side.
(repeat three times)
D-A-N-C-E C'mon and dance along with me.
D-A-N-C-E C'mon and dance along with me.
I'll spell it out for you.

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

7. Jumping and Counting

Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping high are we.
But we'll stop jumping
While we count to three.
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping even more.
But we'll stop jumping
While we count to four.
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Just like pogo sticks.
But let's stop jumping
While we count to six.
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping then we wait.
We stop our jumping
While we count to eight.
Jump Jump Jump Jump
Jumping once again.
But we'll be finished
Once we count to ten.

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

10. (Jim Gill is) Going Nowhere

Some folks have seen this whole big country.
I've never seen a trace.
Instead of rambling onward
I started walking in place.
I was discharged from the army
With dishonor and disgrace.
Instead of marching into battle
I kept marching in place.
I ran the Boston Marathon
And nearly won the race.
I started at the finish line
and did my running in place.
I worked for a time with the FBI
But I never solved a case.
You can't follow a suspect
When you tiptoe in place.
Now my legs are tired
And my shoes have come unlaced.
I think it's time for me to sit
And rest in this place.

Go Back to 40 Winks . . .

12. Buffet Ballet

Can you dance ... slow and mellow?
Can you dance ... to the bellow of a cello?
Can you dance ... in a room filled with jello?
Come and dance ... but be sure you are ready
For a dance floor that's slippery and unsteady.
You're dancing in a room filled up with spaghetti!
If you dance here please take my advice.
Wear a coat, or to be more precise,
Wear a parka. It's a room filled with ice.
You could dance on and on through a meal.
But planning your menu in motion is quite an ordeal.
So dance any way that you feel.

(Chorus)

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

13. Bix Beiderbecke
Music by Steve Rashid.
Tongue Twister by Jim Gill.

If you love traditional jazz (sometimes referred to as "dixieland") as I do, you are already familiar with the music of the legendary Bix Beiderbecke. If not, you might want to find some recordings at the library or your music store. I wrote this little tongue twister as a tribute to Bix ... since his name reminds me of "Peter Piper picked a peck ..." The B flat brass refers to his instrument, the B flat cornet.

Bix Beiderbecke blew boisterous blues on the B flat brass with his band.
If Bix Beiderbecke's ability was boundless, why not brand his belted blues Bixieland?

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

14. The Dance Along Gong Song

Another variation on a "freeze" dance.

In this one, stop and shake when you hear the gong. Pretend that the vibrations get inside of you and shake you for a moment. That's what the band did. We had a great time!

Oh dance along
Oh dance along
Until Kevin plays the ... gong. (repeat)
Out there in the spotlight
That's where you belong.
Nothing's gonna stop you
Unless he plays that ...
Oh dance along
Oh dance along
Until Kevin plays the ... gong.

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .

16. May There Always Be Sunshine

I decided to record this song again in order to follow the original melody more closely and to incorporate some of the ideas that children have shared with me over the past few years. We've captured this version of the song in a beautifully illustrated picture book that's now available. See my website at www.jimgill.com for a glimpse. I love this song because it is always changing.

May there always be sunshine.
May there always be blue skies.
May there always be Mama.
May there always be me.

Go Back to Irrational Anthem. . .