What were the old songs of the Girl Scouts of the USA? What songs brought them together in the middle of the 20th century? What songs were the children singing at that time? Bring home this collection of vintage songbooks and enjoy an evening of song around your piano.

Skip To My Lou, copyright 1958 - Singing games are an interesting by product of folk songs. Their astonishing vitality and urge to repetition appeal equally to children of successive generations and different upbringing. We even find the same games amusing children of continents far apart not only in mileage but in geographical and historical background. As folklore, singing games afford material for research. Some are of ritualistic origin dating from the pre-Christian era; others are based upon courtship and marriage traditions; still others are naive records to historical events or survivals of "play parties: in our own country.

The physical movement, jolly music, and play-acting attract the young in heart and are a sure means of breaking down reserve, helping people to get acquainted, and developing a social sense. There is a distinct educational as well as recreational value in singing games. Since they are team games which help to develop individual coordination, they often demand sportsmanship. They are also helpful in teaching children not to mind being "out."

Musically, singing games have unpretentious tunes and pure rhythm. When sung unaccompanied, they develop accurate pitch. At the same time, a clear utterance of the words is imperative. Otherwise there is no point in singing them. Singing games lose their gaiety and charm if they are bungled through in slovenly fashion with the melody or action only half understood. Executed with finish and spirit, they are a joy to both performers and onlookers - but there are soon no onlookers, only performers.

Sing Together; A Girl Scout Songbook, 1957 edition of the 1949 copyright - A songbook has been part of a Girl Scout troop leader's basic equipment ever since Scouting began.

This 1957 edition of Sing Together is essentially the 1949 edition in new dress. The songs are the same, but the arrangement of the contents has been changed to make the book an even more useful tool to help leaders keep the fun of singing in the program.

In this new edition of Sing Together the songs are grouped in four general categories which every well-rounded troop repertory should include; Songs for ceremonies and occasions, folk songs, rounds and canons, and art songs.

Interesting bits of lore about certain songs have been added to this edition of Sing Together in order to increase the singers' understanding of what those songs are about. Also, French or Spanish lyrics have been added to those songs that are sung in one of these languages by sister guides in other parts of the world.

Our Songs; for singers from seven to eleven, compiled by Mary A. Sanders, copyright 1942 - This collection of songs has been prepared for those interested in recreational singing, especially with younger children, whose needs have not been wholly satisfied. It is intended first and foremost for sociable, companionable uses - in club, in camp or on the move. The aim has been to include a song for any mood or occasion.

There will be no difficulty in singing unaccompanied any of the songs. In fact, this is the surest way to accurate pitch and good tone quality. When children begin to listen to their own singing, when they become their own critics, such faults as a lifeless, dragging tone, a shouting tone, a slurred or scooped tone, will quickly disappear. They should be encouraged to have the voices of te group sound as one, no strong voice predominating. Clear enunciation is usually the best remedy for many ills. To become as musically aware as they are visually aware is to have arrived at an enviable goal.