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Down By The Bay

One of Our Favorite Silly Campfire Songs

Down By The Bay is a silly song that is perfect to sing around the campfire! Your family will enjoy making up verses to this children's song.

This is a popular song at children's camps and preschools. Your children might already know the tune. (If they don't, you can download it here.)

My favorite types of songs are the ones that get everyone involved. This song inspires us to get more and more creative - and more and more silly!

This traditional children's song has been around for a long time. It was recorded by the awesome children's performer Raffi on his album "Singable Songs For The Very Young".

I'll give you the first three verses from Raffi's board book version of the song, and then you can start making up your own words!

The words

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
"Did you ever see a goose
Kissing a moose?"
Down by the bay.

...My mother will say
"Did you ever see a whale
With a polka dot tail?"...

...My mother will say
"Did you ever see a fly
Wearing a tie?"...

It's your turn!

Now the fun starts! Make up your own verses, filling in the blanks:

 "My mother will say ...  

Did you ever see a ________ ________ing a ___________?"

Here are a few suggestions to get you started - but remember, the most fun is making up your own.

Did you ever see a goat sailing a boat?

Did you ever see a flea chasing a bee?

Did you ever see a bear combing his hair?

Hints and suggestions

Applaud all attempts

The littlest children might not be able to come up with rhyming verses. Accept all contributions with good cheer. "Did you ever see a cat sitting on the couch?" is a perfectly good first attempt, worthy of lots of applause!