This song was written from scratch September 13, 2009, during a Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop commissioned by Girl Scout Troop 10208. They were soon to move up from Brownies to Juniors and decided to write an original song to sing as part of the upcoming bridging ceremony. Writing the song took 75 minutes, starting only with the topic of moving up in Girl Scouts. Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by Girl Scout Troop 10208 with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by Girl Scout Troop 10208 and Mark on September 13, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

In Brownies, our vests were brown
The prettiest we’d ever seen
But now we’re moving up to Juniors
Wearing cooler vests of green

Up, up, up to the top of the bridge
We’re feeling so proud
Though we’ve only grown a smidge
We’re screaming out loud

We’re getting much more advanced
With lots more opportunities
We’ve got a much larger chance
Of helping out more communities

Up, up, up to the top of the bridge
We’re feeling so proud
Though we’ve only grown a smidge
We’re screaming out loud

Up, up, up to the top of the bridge
We’re feeling so proud
Though we’ve only grown a smidge
We’re screaming out loud
Yeah!

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

This song was written from scratch June 14, 2009, during a Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop commissioned by the Red Hook Public Library for their Summer Reading Program kickoff event. It took 60 minutes, starting only with the topic of the Red Hook Public Library. The group chose to base the song’s melody and structure on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by the Red Hook Public Library with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by the Red Hook Public Library and Mark on June 14, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

In the eight-sided building on Route 9
Children are there at storytime
Use the computer to go online
Come on in and expand your mind

Everything’s fun and friendly and free
At the Red Hook Public Library

Books and movies and CDs galore
Interlibrary loan will get you more
Friendly staff will help you explore
When you walk through the library door

Everything’s fun and friendly and free
At the Red Hook Public Library

Everything’s fun and friendly and free
At the Red Hook Public Library

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

This song was written from scratch on December 29, 2007, during a Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop commissioned as a Christmas present for ABB to participate in with her grandchildren. It took 90 minutes, starting only with the topic of Wynterwade, a house on Nantucket Island where the family has vacationed for many years. Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by ABB & Grandkids, with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by ABB & Grandkids and Mark on December 29, 2007.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

Pack the car, hit the highway, we’re ready to go
To the steamship ferry, and the whistle will blow
Three lighthouses and cobblestone streets
And sandy beaches for all our bare feet

You, me, the whole family
On the porch in the rain or out in the sun
Me, you, the animals, too
Wynterwade’s the place for family fun

Lucky stones and jingle shells, jellyfish, too
A horseshoe crab is waiting for you
On the boat we go clamming — ready about!
Hope the shellfish warden doesn’t find out

You, me, the whole family
On the porch in the rain or out in the sun
Me, you, the animals, too
Wynterwade’s the place for family fun
Wynterwade’s the place for family fun

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

This song was written from scratch on September 16, 2007, during a Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop commissioned for Chapman’s Eighth Birthday Celebration. It took 120 minutes with breaks, starting only with “I’m older than I was yesterday” as the topic. Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by Chapman, Emanuel, Ethan, Jared and Thomas with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by Chapman, Emanuel, Ethan, Jared, Thomas and Mark on September 16, 2007.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

I’m going new places everyday
‘Cause I’m older than I was yesterday
In the car’s front seat, it’s really neat
I ride my two-wheeler down the street — it can’t be beat

I’m better at things more than yesterday
I’m learning things more than yesterday
I’m here to tell you that I’m gonna say
That I’m doing everything more than yesterday

With bigger books the fun lasts longer
And in a race my body is stronger
On new rides at the park, or trying new food
And even more tomorrow keeps me in a good mood

I’m better at things more than yesterday
I’m learning things more than yesterday
I’m here to tell you that I’m gonna say
That I’m doing everything more than yesterday

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

This song was written from scratch on July 30, 2007, during the second test run, the first with all kids, of the Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop. It took 135 minutes with breaks, starting only with music as the topic. Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by Ethan Husted, Tessa Husted, Jimmy Melitski, Sophia Meritt, Jan W. Midtskogen, Katerina R. Midtskogen, Chapman Odlum, Molly Odlum, Karana Stokum with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by Ethan, Tessa, Jimmy, Sophia, Jan, Katerina, Chapman, Molly, Karana and Mark on July 30, 2007.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

Whenever I listen to a song
I turn up the dial
‘Cause in the car or at home
Songs make me smile

Whenever I dance to a song
My body gets riled
‘Cause Macarena, Chicken or ballet
Songs make me smile

Whenever I sing a song
I sing it with style
‘Cause soft, in between or loud
Songs make me smile

Whenever I play a song
It’s really wild
‘Cause whatever instrument I play
Songs make me smile

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

This song was written from scratch on July 27, 2007, during the first test run of the Potluck Creative Arts Songwriting Workshop. It took 90 minutes, starting only with the topic of Mystic, CT, where the participants have for many years had a family cottage. Learn more about the Songwriting Workshop which uses Appreciative Inquiry to foster collaborative creativity.

Music and lyrics by Jen, Sophia, Teresa with Mark S. Meritt (facilitator)

The original workshop performance was by Jen, Teresa and Mark on July 28, 2007.

Listen to the Podcast MP3.

Watch the video right here by just pressing Play immediately below. Or, visit YouTube to see the video or post a comment.

Lyrics

There’s a seaside cottage we’ve gone to for years
Where we’ve had lots of laughter and shed a few tears
As we walk on the dock and remember the past
We know Mystic memories will last

Come along to our place by the sea
It’s fun for you, and it’s fun for me
There’s food and family and history
At our place by the sea

From a walk downtown to a ride on the boat
You can sit in a kayak or tube afloat
A big family meal on the deck in the breeze
Then a s’more by the fire, if you please

Come along to our place by the sea
It’s fun for you, and it’s fun for me
There’s food and family and history
At our place by the sea

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

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