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

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Aye-aye-aye-aye

At Hell Roarin’ they all ride horses

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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!❖