Quiet songs for the evening campfires at Zoar Valley Camp

Quiet Campfire Songs at Zoar Valley

Some of these are from my old notebook.... some I have found on the web.  These are the lyrics as I remember them many decades later.

PEACE OF THE RIVER

Peace I ask of thee, oh river
Peace, peace, peace
When I learn to live serenely
Cares will cease

From the hills I gather courage
Visions of the days to be
Strength to lead and faith to follow
All are given unto me.

(repeat first verse.)

BED IS TOO SMALL

Sung in a very soft minor key...

Bed is too small for my tiredness.
Give me a hill topped with trees!
Tuck a cloud up under my chin.
Lord, blow the moon out - please.

Rock me to sleep in a cradle of dreams,
Sing me a lullaby of leaves.
Tuck a cloud up under my chin.
Lord, blow the moon out - please.

TALL TIMBERS CALLING

Tall timber calling and the echoes ring
All nature sings a song along the timber trail

Blue shadows falling, in the canyon pale
And the whispering pines entwine along the timber trail

While high above, the love song of the trees
Will wend, and bend, its way out on the breeze

Tall timbers calling as the echoes ring
All nature sings a song along the timber trail.

EACH CAMPFIRE LIGHTS ANEW 

Each campfire lights anew.

The flame of friendship true.

The joy we’ve had in knowing you,

Will last our whole life through.

And as the embers fade away,

We wish that we might ever stay.

But since we cannot have our way, 

We’ll come again some other day. 

I WANT TO LINGER 

Mmm‐‐ I want to linger

Mmm‐‐ a little longer 

Mmm‐‐ a little longer here with you 

Mmm‐‐ it’s such a perfect night

Mmm— it doesn’t seem quite right

Mmm‐‐ that it should be my last with you

Mmm‐‐ and come September 

Mmm‐‐ and I will remember

Mmm‐‐ the camping days I spent with you

Mmm‐‐ and as the years go by

Mmm‐‐ I’ll think of you and sigh

Mmm‐‐ this is goodnight and not goodbye

Mmm‐‐ I want to linger 

Mmm‐‐ a little longer

Mmm‐‐ a little longer here with you. 

RISE UP, O FLAME (round)

Rise up O Flame 

By thy light glowing

Show to us beauty. vision, and joy.

KUM-BA-YA 

Kum-ba-ya my Lord, Kum-ba-ya. 

Kum-ba-ya my Lord, Kum-ba-ya 

Kum-ba-ya my Lord, Kum-ba-ya 

Oh Lord, Kum-ba-ya. 

Someone's crying Lord... 

Someone’s hoping Lord... 

Someone's singing Lord... 

Someone's praying Lord... 

ALL NIGHT, ALL DAY 
(Trad. Black Spiritual) 

CHORUS 

All night, all day, Angels watching over me, my Lord 

All night, all day Angels watching over me. 

Day is dying in the west, Angels watching over me, my Lord. 

Sleep, my child, and take your rest, Angels watching over me. 

CHORUS 

Now I lay me down to sleep, Angels watching over me, my Lord 

Pray the Lord my soul to keep, Angels watching over me. 

CHORUS 

If I die before I wake, Angels watching over me, my Lord 

Pray the Lord my soul to take Angels watching over me 

CHORUS 

THE ASH GROVE (Trad. English folk song ) 

(This had a nice easy harmony, and I loved the song.  But we only sang the first few verses at Zoar Valley... years later, I discovered that there were more verses!)

Down yonder, green valley, Where streamlets meander 

When twilight is fading I pensively roam. 

Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander 

Amid the dark shades of the lovely ash grove. 

 Tis there where the blackbird is cheerfully singing 

Each warble enchants with his notes from the trees. 

Oh! Then little think I of sorrows or sadness 

The ash grove, the ash grove, spells beauty for me. 

(Traditional verses) Twas there while the blackbird was cheerfully singing, I first met that dear one, the joy of my heart, Around us for gladness, the bluebells were ringing. Ah! Then little thought I, how soon we would part Still glows the bright sunshine over valley and mountain. Still warbles the blackbird, its notes from the tree. Still trembles the moonbeam on streamlet and fountain, But what are the beauties of nature to me? With sorrow, deep sorrow, my heart is laden. All day I go mourning in search of my love. Ye echoes! Oh, tell me where is my sweet loved one. He sleeps ‘neath the green turf down by the Ash grove)

Been Riding

Been ridin' since daylight, through shadow and sunlight,

But now in the twilight ,we're travelin' slow.

The comin' stars guidin', we'll keep on a-ridin'

Down the trail where the sun hangs low.

    Joggin' along to nowhere,

    Joggin' along all day,

    Joggin' along to nowhere,

    We sure do know the way.

There's no cabin waitin', and nobody's watchin',

And no one to welcome us homeward, and so

We'll keep on together,

Whatever the weather,

Down the trail where the sun hangs low.

    Joggin' along to nowhere, (etc.)

Some day we'll quit ridin', the big Boss providin',

And then we'll be leavin' these trails that we know.

The sun will be settin', and we'll be forgettin'

Down the trail where the sun hangs low.

    Joggin' along to nowhere, (etc.)

WITCHCRAFT

If there were witchcraft,
I'd make two wishes
A winding road that beckons me to roam.
And then I'd wish for a blazing campfire
To welcome me when I'm returning home.
But in this real world, there is no witchcraft
And golden wishes never grow on trees.
Our fondest daydreams must be the magic
To bring us back happy memories
Mem'ries that linger, constant and true
Mem'ries we cherish, Zoar Valley Camp,  of you.