Gwen Peterson: Around the campfire, try singing a limerick
There’s a Limerick Song that I believe was generated from early “Sesame Street” limerick verses. To that tune, here’s a passage of Camp Hell’s-a-Roarin’ limericks. No, these five-line verses aren’t off-color, lewd or disgustingly nasty. I’m optimistic that these tidbits are witty, humorous and old-fashioned fun you can share around a campfire. Start with the refrain and teach it to the assembled group. Once they’ve learned to sing it, throw in a limerick followed by a refrain all sing. After awhile folks’ imaginations take over and they start making up limericks on the spot!
CAMP HELL’S A ROARIN’ LIMERICKS
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
A cowboy exceedingly brawny
Got onto a horse that was scrawny
Now a cowboy can ride
Anything with a hide
Except for a wild bronco named Shawnee
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
A cowboy signed on at Hell Roarin’
But had a bad habit of snorin’
The boys threw some rocks
Stuffed his mouth with a sock
Now he’s no longer workin’ for Warren
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
A certain young cowboy named Ronald
Had hair that was combed like a Farmall
Swept up from the back
Where there was a great lack
Like that feller who’s front name is Donald
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
When Lefty and Dusty, his pardner
Rode up the trail from ol’Gardiner
Hired on at Hell Roarin’
For Outfitter Warren
Who worked the boys hard and then harder
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
A comely young cowgirl named Mary
When asked are you strong, replied very
Then just for a laugh
Mary hoisted a calf
And dropped it on cowpuncher, Larry
Aye-aye-aye-aye
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets
Remember that making up limericks
Is better than being smacked with sharp sticks
And up at Hell Roarin’
Our voices are soarin
Singin’ and sayin’ and laughin’ for kicks
At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses
So sing out another verse
That’s worse than the first verse
Make sure that you don’t burst your corsets!❖
