CHEROKEE SONGS When you wake up in the morning Where Kelly's Creek does flow, And the sun comes peepin' Into where I'm sleepin', And the song-birds say, "Hello," I'm gonna' wander in the wildwood With the dear old Cherokees, For they're the best hut ever As anyone can see! Without a doubt - Cherokee!! Thunder, thunder, thunderation; We're the Cherokee aggregation; We create a consternation; Thunder, thunder, thunderation. (repeat 3 times, getting louder each time) Eight tribes there are who have our sympathy, ugh! They don't know the joy of being a Cherokee, ugh! Oh, what a pity, and we are sorry; Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ugh! Born in the blood and the traits of Winnataska, Oh, how we love her and honor her name, ugh! Oh, Winnataska, come down and bless us, Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! Tune: "Fight Song" When those Cherokees all fall in line, They're gonna' win that game another time; They're gonna' fight, fight, fight, fight, fight away For the Cherokees say yea, yea, yea, yea, yea! They're gonna' trample o'er those Chickasaws, Double up and beat those Choctaws, Choctaws, Leave those Creeks with swollen jaws, swollen jaws, Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah! Tune: "The Father Loves You" (3rd Camp, 1974) A bright, clear creek to swim in, An old-fashioned bridge to walk on God, we feel so near you, at Winnataska. Oh, Winnataska you'll see, You mean the whole world to me, Sunset at Hillside, we see the wonders of God, Oh, Winnataska, we love you so, And true to you we'll be. The joys shared in Cherokee Will always be dear to me Our lives have been inspired By Cherokee. 1
So when we go on our way, We'll always look back and say, Tune: "Wedding March" We are the girls with spirit, We are the Cherokees. Da, da, da, da. In all our work and play, We're trying our hardest to please. Our leaders are so neat, Campers can't be beat, In all that we compete - SO Here comes Cherokee, Singing happily, True to Winnataska and ever faithful be. When we hear the bell, We all begin to yell, For chicken pie and hot rolls we already smell. Friendships we've made Forever will last. Although our days in Cherokee will pass - SO. Tune: "Cotton Fields" (3rd camp, 1966) When I was a little bitty baby, I longed for friendship and for fun. Winnataska became my summer home. Swimming, boating, riding, singing, With the greatest hut I tramp. We're the Cherokees, the happiest in the camp. Making crafts and hiking in nature That we wish that we might ever stay. When we leave we'll keep forever The happy times we had together In the Cherokee hut we had fun all the day. Tune: "Come, My Brothers" (2nd camp, 1973, Dollie Grover) Our hut was hit by the storm they say, But was guarded by God's hand. And through it all we're proud to say, Cherokee still stands. Come all campers and you will see The good times in Cherokee. 2
To this great camp we will always be true. Winnataska, we love you. In Cherokee we find the love That's needed everywhere. The peace and joy God grants us here We're always glad to share. Tune: "Blowing in the Wind" (4th Camp, 1973) With a song in our hears and the love that we share A feeling of fellowship is near. We learn how to give and we learn how to live. This new life is one we hold dear. As we go through each day God will show us the way And our purpose becomes very clear. Love for you and me is found in Cherokee. True happiness is found in Cherokee. The mem'ries of these days in our hut will remain Long after we depart. The friendships we've made and the goals we've attained Are things we've worked for from the start. And as we look towards the sun we know our work is done And this feeling will stay in our hearts. (Repeat Chorus Twice) Tune: "Balling the Jack" First we were the Chicos, oh so small, Then we crossed the creek to the Seminole, Next came the Creek and the Chickasaw, And now we are the Cherokee, the best of them all. We've got the leaders with all the brains, But not quite enough to keep us out of the rain. We've got the sagging beds and the hornet's nests, But that's why we love Cherokee Best! Without a doubt, Cherokee! Tune: "A Gift of Song" (1st or 2nd camp, 1974, Dollie Grover) The Cherokees have helped me grow. So many things I've come to know We've heard the call of the great outdoors And ever day we love it more. A gift of love was given to me When I first came to Cherokee. And as the days passed quickly by We've found that here God's always nigh. 3
As we've received, so let us give With the spirit of camp now may we live. Let mem'ries last our whole lives through And now we've sung our song for you. Tune: "Lemon Tree" When I first left my happy home To start out on my own I found a place called Winnataska Now I'll never roam! Cherokee is the best hut And we want you all to know That we all work together And that's what makes us so. I found that I was not alone In this great hut, you see... We're the greatest hut of (number of campers in hut) And happy as can be. Tune: "Oh, I Wish I Were a Little Bar of Soap" If you are a Cherokee, clap your hands, If you are a Cherokee, clap your hands. If you are a Cherokee, stomp your feet, If you are a Cherokee, stomp your feet. If you are a Cherokee, stand and yell, If you are a Cherokee, stand and yell. If you are a Cherokee, do all three, If you are a Cherokee, do all three. Tune: "Cabaret" (3rd camp, 1972) One day we came into Winnataska, Wondering which way to go. We found a home in Cherokee, That's where the good times roll. Up every morning, the sun up above, A full day of fun ahead, Swept by the love for Cherokee, Our hearts and minds are led. 4
Although it rains, we don't complain, For there is always sunshine in the heart of every Cherokee. And when we leave here the things we'll recall, The good times and bad times, too. Holes in the floor and leaky roofs, Dips in the creek and thunderstorms, Friendships to last our whole lives through. We'll always love Cherokee. Umm, Umm, we are the Cherokee. Umm, Umm, we always want to be. Umm, umm, we like to swim and hike. Umm, umm, we stay up late at night. Umm, Umm, our leaders think we re pests. Umm, Umm, they really are the best. 5