The lyrics of the song list all fifty states in alphabetical order, making it easier for children to memorize them. The catchy tune and repetitive nature of the song have made it a popular educational tool in classrooms across the United States.

“Fifty Nifty United States” Lyrics

Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies;
Fifty nifty stars in the flag that billows so beautif’ly in the breeze.
Each individual state contributes a quality that is great.
Each individual state deserves a bow, we salute them now.
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,
Shout ’em, scout ’em, Tell all about ’em,
One by one till we’ve given a day to ev’ry state in the U.S.A.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut;
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana;
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan;
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada;
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio;
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas;
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
North, south, east, west, in our calm, objective opinion,
(Name of home state) is the best of the
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,
Shout ’em, scout ’em, Tell all about ’em,
One by one till we’ve given a day to ev’ry state in the good old
U_______S__________A_________.

The song was initially used to indicate the end of the day or to prompt lights out. In more contemporary times it was often played at Scouts camps so the boys knew they had to go to sleep. The alternate name of Taps comes from the Dutch “doe den tap toe” which translates as “turn off the taps”. This refers to the drinking taps being switched off, and soldiers heading to bed. 

The melody can be traced back to the early 19th century but it was adopted by the military in 1862 and is now played regularly to show respect to fallen heroes who have given their lives while defending the freedom and faith of their home country.

Day is Done Gone the Sun Lyrics

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Who sang the original “Bella Ciao”?

This version is an adaptation of an old song from the late nineteenth century, which appeared during the liberation movement and protests against extremely difficult working conditions of women in the rice fields in northern Italy.

The lyrics were later taken over and adapted in turn by anti-fascist and anti-Nazi movements in Italy. It has become a worldwide protest song being adapted in many languages ​​by artists around the world. In recent history “Bella Ciao” has become the anthem of revolutions and protests.

“Bella Ciao” Lyrics

The meaning of this poem are shrouded in mystery. There are more theories advanced about the origin of the story and who the “Robin” was.

The most obvious theory about the identity of “Robin” is that it refers to the bird. This theory is substantiated by the fact that in Glouchestershire there is a stained glass depicting a robin killed by an arrow dating back to the 15th century.

Another theory is that Robin is in fact Robert Walpole whose government was toppled two years prior to the first publication of the rhyme in 1742.

One unsubstantiated theory is that “Robin” refers to Robin Hood. It is a popular theory in modern culture but there is nothing to back it up.

“Who Killed Cock Robi” Lyrics

Who killed Cock Robin?
I, said the Sparrow,
with my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.

Who saw him die?
I, said the Fly,
with my little eye,
I saw him die.

Who caught his blood?
I, said the Fish,
with my little dish,
I caught his blood.

Who’ll make the shroud?
I, said the Beetle,
with my thread and needle,
I’ll make the shroud.

Who’ll dig his grave?
I, said the Owl,
with my little trowel,
I’ll dig his grave.

Who’ll be the parson?
I, said the Rook,
with my little book,
I’ll be the parson.

Who’ll be the clerk?
I, said the Lark,
if it’s not in the dark,
I’ll be the clerk.

Who’ll carry the link?
I, said the Linnet,
I’ll fetch it in a minute,
I’ll carry the link.

Who’ll be chief mourner?
I, said the Dove,
I mourn for my love,
I’ll be chief mourner.

Who’ll carry the coffin?
I, said the Kite,
if it’s not through the night,
I’ll carry the coffin.

Who’ll bear the pall?
We, said the Wren,
both the cock and the hen,
We’ll bear the pall.

Who’ll sing a psalm?
I, said the Thrush,
as she sat on a bush,
I’ll sing a psalm.

Who’ll toll the bell?
I, said the Bull,
because I can pull,
I’ll toll the bell.

All the birds of the air
fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
when they heard the bell toll
for poor Cock Robin.

When news of the plot got out, Londoners were so relieved that the conspirators had been caught that they lit bonfires throughout the city as a celebration. Over the centuries, the celebrations have become more elaborate, and now fabulous firework displays are featured throughout England on November the 5th. Before that day, children make effigies of Guy Fawkes, which they take door to door asking for ‘A penny for the Guy’. On Bonfire Night, these Guys are traditionally burnt on top of a bonfire.

“Remember, Remember the Fifth of November” Lyrics

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

“Please to Remember” Original version

Please to remember,
The Fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot;
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

A popular children’s version to commemorate the 5th of November

Guy, guy, guy
Poke him in the eye,
Put him on the bonfire,
And there let him die

The first known version of Yankee Doodle is attributed to English doctor Richard Shackburg. The song uses the same melody as the “Lucy Locket” rhyme.

“Yankee Doodle” History 

Terms and origins

The origin of Yankee Doodle is related to the Seven Year’s War. The British army used to dub “Yankees” the New England’s (USA) soldiers, for being so naïve and inexperienced.
Doodle, a derived from the German dudeltopf, and Low Saxon dudel or dödel, is used to define a fool person or a simpleton one.

Yankee Doodle has much historic significance to the USA. Originally it was sung by British soldiers who made fun of American soldiers this way (the term Yankee being considered a pejorative one). As the war progressed and the Americans started gaining victories, it was adopted by Americans.

Later, during the Civil War, revised versions of the song were sung by Northern and Southern people alike as a way to make fun of the other side.

“Yankee Doodle” Lyrics

Kids Version

Yankee Doodle went to town
A-riding on a pony,
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni’.

Chorus:

Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp,
Along with Captain Gooding,
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
Chorus

There was Captain Washington,
Upon a slapping stallion,
Giving orders to his men-
I guess there were a million.
Chorus

Even before James I of England unified the two kingdoms, they were already symbols in their Royal Arms, two lions being emblem of England while two unicorns were standing for Scotland.

Since 1603 the Lion and the Unicorn are elements in the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, standing for the the unification of the two kingdoms.

The unicorn is a legendary creature, sometimes depicted as a white horse with a horn in the middle of its forehead. Legends describe this horn as having miraculous powers: cure diseases, cleanses evil, giving life.

The lion is a respected, valued and even defied animal in some cultures. Its identity as a symbol of power dates back 5,000 years. The lion’s mane is a royal symbol being often compared with the sun rays.

“The Lion and the Unicorn” is traditional nursery rhyme telling the story of the enmity and the fight of suzerainty of the two kingdoms, the lion and the unicorn being symbols of their power and dominance.

“The Lion and the Unicorn” Lyrics

The lion and the unicorn
Were fighting for the crown
The lion beat the unicorn
All around the town.

Some gave them white bread,
And some gave them brown;
Some gave them plum cake
and drummed them out of town.

And when he had beat him out,
He beat him in again;
He beat him three times over,
His power to maintain.

The first version was published around 1708 in William King’s work “Useful Transactions in Philosophy”.

The origin of King Cole character can be traced back to early history. “Cole” is a derived name from the Brythonic “Coel”. The character was related to some legendary names in British History, all identified as King Coel and mostly mentioned in British legends and literature.

One of those figures was Coel Hen, also nicknamed, Coel the Old or Old King Cole because of his age. He was the King of Northern Britain during the decline of the Roman Empire when Britain was assailed by the Goths and exempt by the Romans.

Another legendary figure in Britain’s History was Coel Godhebog, a predecessor of Coel Hen, known as Cole the Magnificent.

The son of Coel Hen, identified as Saint Ceneu ap Coel, (English: Kenneth) was also a King of Northern Britain, mostly famous for defending and claiming the Christian religion especially during pagan invasions. He was canonized for this practice later on.

Another interpretation of this song’s origins is that it could be a musical theme song. In Gaelic the term ceol means music. The term fiddle is an old instrument that resembles today’s violin. The pipe is also used to define a flute or recorder. A literal analysis of this song will suggest that King Cole is the name of a musical group singing.

“Old King Cole” Lyrics

Modern Version

Old King Cole was a merry old soul
And a merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl
And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler he had a fiddle,
And a very fine fiddle had he;
Oh there’s none so rare, as can compare
With King Cole and his fiddlers three

“Old King Cole” Original Version

Good King Cole,
And he call’d for his Bowle,
And he call’d for Fidler’s three;
And there was Fiddle, Fiddle,
And twice Fiddle, Fiddle,
For ’twas my Lady’s Birth-day,
Therefore we keep Holy-day
And come to be merry