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Skip to My Lou

Traditional American Folk Song

"Skip to My (The) Lou" is a popular American partner-stealing dance from the 1840s. It was also a popular lyrical game in US President Abraham Lincoln's youth in southern Indiana and Kentucky (1826) with verses such as "Hurry up slow poke, do oh do", "I'll get her back in spite of you", "Gone again, what shall I do", and "I'll get another girl sweeter than you".

"Skip to My Lou" is a simple game of stealing partners (or swapping partners as in square dancing). It begins with any number of couples skipping hand in hand around in a ring. A lone boy in the center of the moving circle of couples sings, "Lost my partner, what'll I do?" as the girls whirl past him. The young man in the center hesitates while he decides which girl to choose, singing, “I'll get another one just like you.” When he grasps the hand of his chosen one, the latter's partner moves to the center of the ring the game. It is an ice-breaker, providing an opportunity for the participants to get acquainted with one another and to get into a good mood. The "lou" in the title comes from the word "loo", a Scottish word for "love". The "Skip to My Lou" song was featured in the 1944 film Meet Me In St Louis.

    Release Date: 1840


Skip to My Lou

Skip to My Lou

2011-2012 Southern California Vocal Association Men's Honor Choir - Randolph C. Stenson, conductor



Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-12 of 12 items.


Derric Johnson : A Cappella Americana Songbook : Mixed 5-8 Parts : Songbook : Derric Johnson : 884088075088 : 1423412400 : 08745572

Derric Johnson : A Cappella Americana Songbook

Widely considered to one of today's top a cappella arrangers Derric Johnson is also one of our favorites. This songbook is a collection of 14 classic American folk songs as for arranged and performed by Derric Johnson's Liberty Voices and which can be heard on their CDs "A Cappella Americana" and "A Slice of A Cappella". To study a Derric Johnson arrangement is to contemplate the canon of a master. Key to his style is his seamless blending of classical choral and jazz idioms that are fresh, yet easy to assimilate. We highly recommend this songbook for most all choirs, ensembles and groups should have a least one Derric Johnson arrangement in their repertoire.

Songlist: America, The Beautiful, Love's Old Sweet Song, My Country 'Tis Of Thee, Oh! Susanna, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Skip To My Lou, The Star Spangled Banner, Swing Low, Taps, The Red White And Blue, We The People, Yankee Doodle, You Are My Sunshine

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Voicing: Mixed 5-8 Parts | 9391b | Songbook | $11.95 | A Cappella


Emily Crocker : Four and Twenty : 2 Parts : TEACHER ED : 884088106416 : 47123025

Emily Crocker : Four and Twenty

Here is a collection of 2-Part a cappella arrangements that really work for the young choir. These 24 delightful songs can help build the young singer's sight-reading skills, improve intonation and choral tone, and develop expressive singing. The songs range in difficulty from easy to challenging, and are composed in several different styles, including folk songs, spirituals, rounds and canons, holiday songs, and original pieces. The Teacher's Edition offers comprehensive suggestions, including tips for adapting the songs to a Kodály curriculum or adding Orff instruments. Ideal for classroom or concert!

Songlist: Bought Me A Cat, Brother Noah, Bye 'n' Bye, Christus Natus Hodie, Down In The Valley Two By Two, Eensy Weensy Spider, Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?), Grasshoppers Three, Hush, Little Baby, I Have Lost My Closet Key, Kum Ba Yah, Little Bird, Merrily, Merrily Greet The Morn, Music Alone Shall Live, Old Mister Rabbit, Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, Sing A Song Of Sixpence, Skin And Bones, Skip To My Lou, Sneeze On Monday, Sourwood Mountain, Star Light, Star Bright, Who's That Tapping At, Who's That Tapping At The Window?, The Windmill

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Voicing: 2 Parts | 12413b | TEACHER ED | $19.95


Emily Crocker / John Leavitt : Essential Musicianship - Book 2, Student : SATB : Songbook : Emily Crocker : 073999060638 : 0793543339 : 08740104

Emily Crocker / John Leavitt : Essential Musicianship - Book 2, Student

"Essential Musicianship, Book 2," recommended for Grades 8-10 or other older beginners, is a sequential choral method that helps the older beginner or returning singer develop basic to intermediate skills. Each of the twenty chapters includes materials for vocal development, music theory, sight reading and performance. Basic notation, rhythm, pitch and basic harmony are covered through drills, exercises and 44 practice/performance songs for mixed, treble and tenor bass choirs.

Songlist: All Join Hands, Au Clair De La Lune, Christmas Comin', Come Follow, Cripple Creek, Down In The Valley, The Flowers, Fog, Fond Affection, He Is Born, Hosanna In Excelsis Deo, How Doth The Little Crocodile, Hush, Little Baby, Indian Summer, Intery Mintery, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Jerimiah Obadiah, Jubilate Deo, The Jumblies, The Kangaroo, Kyrie Eleison, Long, Long Ago, Love's Lament, Music, When Soft Voices Die, O! Mankind, The Old Brass Wagon, The Rainbow, The Red River Valley, San Serini, See Them Dance, and more

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Voicing: SATB | 1802b | Songbook | $15.95 ON SALE $12.95


Emily Crocker / John Leavitt : Essential Musicianship - Level Two Teacher Edition  : SATB : Songbook : Emily Crocker : 073999401059 : 0793543347 : 08740105

Emily Crocker / John Leavitt : Essential Musicianship - Level Two Teacher Edition

"Essential Musicianship, Book 2," recommended for Grades 8-10 or other older beginners, is a sequential choral method that helps the older beginner or returning singer develop basic to intermediate skills. Each of the twenty chapters includes materials for vocal development, music theory, sight reading and performance. The Teacher Edition provides comprehensive lesson plans based on the National Standards for Arts Education.

Songlist: All Join Hands, Au Clair De La Lune, Christmas Comin', Come Follow, Cripple Creek, Down In The Valley, The Flowers, Fog, Fond Affection, He Is Born, Hosanna In Excelsis Deo, How Doth The Little Crocodile, Hush, Little Baby, Indian Summer, Intery Mintery, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Jerimiah Obadiah, Jubilate Deo, The Jumblies, The Kangaroo, Kyrie Eleison, Long, Long Ago, Love's Lament, Music, When Soft Voices Die, O! Mankind, The Old Brass Wagon, The Rainbow, The Red River Valley, San Serini, See Them Dance, and more

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Voicing: SATB | 1810b | Songbook | $24.95 ON SALE $19.95


Linda Rann : Kodaly in the Classroom: Set 1 Primary : Songbook : 073999327243 : 09970596

Linda Rann : Kodaly in the Classroom: Set 1 Primary

Kodaly in the Classroom, Primarily (Set 1) is a collection of children's songs and teacher lessons sequentially organized to teach the basics of pitch and rhythm through singing and games for younger elementary students. The song material consists of American folk and well-known children's songs. Teacher lessons are easy to follow and do not require previous training in Kodaly methodology. The collection includes lesson plans, reproducible singer sheets and activities.

Songlist: Johnny Works with One Hammer, Bernie Bee, Oliver Twist, Teddy Bear, Charlie Over the Ocean, Tick Tock, The Closet Key, Engine, Engine Number Nine, Bye Low, Michael Finnegan, Skip to My Lou, Who's That Tapping at My Window?, Bounce High, Ring Around the Rosie, Star Light, Star Bright, See Saw, Rain, Rain, Partner, Partner, Little Sally Water, Snail, Snail, Bobby Shafto, Lucy Locket, Pease Porridge Hot, I See the Moon, Hot Cross Buns, Hop, Old Squirrel, Let Us Chase the Squirrel, Great Big House in New Orleans, Bow, Wow, Wow, Rocky Mountain High

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6550b | Songbook | $21.95 ON SALE $19.95


Lynn Brinckmeyer : Wander the World with Warm-Ups : 01 Book Warm Up : 888680044824 : 149500970X : 35030109

Lynn Brinckmeyer : Wander the World with Warm-Ups

The next time you use warm-ups, wander the world with your choir! This collection of forty simple folk songs from twenty different countries is the perfect resource for you. They can be easily memorized for immediate focus and the recommended strategies allow the warm-ups to work for both beginning and advanced singers. Help refine students' ability to listen to each other, unify vowels and tune chords all while experiencing beautiful and dynamic songs of other cultures. Suggested for grades 4-12.

Songlist: Sarasponda, S'vivon, Thula Thu' (Hush, Hush), In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin', Hevenu Shalom Alechem, Skip To My Lou, Artza Alinu, Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, Standin' In The Need Of Prayer, Cindy, Funga Alafia, Li'l Liza Jane (Go Li'l Liza), Boysie, Caballito Blanco, Clapping Land, Eh Soom Boo Kawaya, Epo I Tai Tai E, For Health And Strength, Fray Martin, Glockenjodler, Ifca's Castle, Ise Oluwa, Kaeru No Uta, Kagome, Kee-Chee, Kokoleoko, Mangoane Mpulele, Neesa, Neesa, Obwisana, Ritsch, Ratsch, and more

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4254b | Book Warm Up | $14.95


Susan Brumfield : First We Sing! Songbook Two : Unison : Songbook & 1 CD : 888680066406 : 1495020037 : 00145629

Susan Brumfield : First We Sing! Songbook Two

First, We Sing! Songbook Two is a collection of 18 more children's songs, rhymes and games from around the world, selected, transcribed and annotated by Dr. Susan Brumfield. Whether you are looking for new songs to add to your repertoire, or for new ways to teach familiar favorites, Songbook Two is loaded with more fresh ideas for the music class. This second volume in a series designed to bring delightfully singable songs and practical pedagogy together is perfect for use in both home and school. Songbook Two also features extension activities for the classroom, historical references, pedagogical indices and suggestions for including these songs in the First We Sing! literacy-based music series available from Hal Leonard. This second volume comes with a Sing-along CD recording featuring Inner Voices, a group of 8-12 year old singers from The West Texas Children's Chorus. This enhanced CD also offers PDF songsheets for projection or print options. Songbook Two includes suggestions for Orff instruments and recorder, along with seasonal and holiday songs, singing games and songs just for fun. Ideally suited for teaching musical skills, this collection provides a vocabulary of music and play from which children can draw today. Adults and kids of all ages will discover the fun and enjoyment of listening, learning, singing and playing these songs for generations to come! ScorePlay - click to view score with recording.

Songlist: Nine Hundred Miles, Skip To My Lou, Sailing On The Ocean, Bluebells, Cockleshells, Dry Bones Come Skipping, Autumn Canon, Let Me Out, Madalina Catalina, Strawberries, Mbombela (The Train Comes), Duerme Pronto (El Canto De Madre), Green Sally Up, Oro, My Little Boat, Ye Toop Doram, Pop Goes The Weasel, Ships Are Sailing, Going Down To Cairo, Needle's Eye

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Voicing: Unison | 2755b | Songbook & 1 CD | $32.95 ON SALE $29.95


Various Arrangers : The Library of Family Singalongs : Unison : Songbook : 752187986591 : 0825634989 : 14019035

Various Arrangers : The Library of Family Singalongs

A treasury of familiar songs that everyone loves to sing. Here are over 160 favorite folk songs, golden hits, songs for children, holiday songs, carols, and best-loved songs from around the world. This wonderful collection will provide a wealth of singing enjoyment for the entire family. Whether you want to celebrate a special day, put on a family show, or just make music together, this book is sure to be a favorite in your home library.

Songlist: Amazing Grace, America, The Beautiful, Battle Hymn Of The Republic, Blow The Man Down, Blue Tail Fly, Buffalo Gals, Camptown Races, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, Carry Me Back To Virginny, Clementine, Down In The Valley, The Erie Canal, Git Along Little Dogies, I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy, I Ride An Old Paint, Let My People Goal, L'il Liza Jan, Michael Row The Boat Ashore, Oh Susanna, The Old Folks At Home, The Old Gray Mare, On The Banks Of The Wabash, On Top Of Old Smoky, Over There, Rally Round The Flag, Red River Valley, The Riddle Song, She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain, Shenandoah American Folk Song, Streets Of Laredo American Cowboy Song, and more

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Voicing: Unison | 7884b | Songbook | $31.95 ON SALE $27.95


Joan Frey Boytim : 36 Solos for Young Singers : Solo : Songbook : 073999730562 : 0634027891 : 00740143

Joan Frey Boytim : 36 Solos for Young Singers

Responsible for such popular series as The First Book of Solos, The Second Books of Solos and Easy Songs for Beginning Singers, Joan Frey Boytim is a widely recognized expert in repertoire for the young voice. Appropriate for contest solos, this collection includes a wide variety of traditional art songs and folk songs with limited ranges for late-elementary to mid-teen singers. The book includes intermediate-level piano arrangements, and the companion CD features professionally recorded accompaniments for performance or practice.

Songlist: April Fool (Gartlan), The Blue Bells Of Scotland, Country Gardens, Cradle Song (previously attributed to Mozart), Cuckoo (Shaw), Dancing, Dandelions Gold And Green, The Desperado, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Down In My Heart, The Generous Fiddler, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Home On The Range, I Know Where I'm Goin', A Jolly Good Laugh, The Keys Of Heaven, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Longing For Spring, MacNamara's Band, Old Dog Tray, Old King Cole, Peace Of The River, The Quest, The Red River Valley, The Sea Breeze, Sidewalks Of New York, Sit Down, Sister, Skip To My Lou, Sleep, Baby, Sleep, Softly Sleeping, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 5055b | Songbook | $17.95 | Voice and Piano


Richard Johnston (editor) : Folk Songs North America Sings : Solo : Songbook : 073999809046 : 1458424871 : 50480904

Richard Johnston (editor) : Folk Songs North America Sings

This superb 382-page resource contains more than 350 North American folk songs, carefully sequenced both rhythmically and melodically for use with the Kodály method, which is based on authentic Hungarian folk music. The collection features information about solfege, form, phrase, length, range, rhythmic construction, and more.

Songlist: Jubilee, 1 2 3, Ah Vous Dirai-Je, Maman? (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), Animal Song, Frog Went A-Courtin', Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Christus Natus Hodie, Goodbye, Old Paint, All The Pretty Little Horses, Let Me Fly, Cumberland Gap, On Springfield Mountain, Jesus Born In Beth'ny, Alphabet Song, I Wonder As I Wander, Daddy Shot A Bear, Down In The Valley, Soldier Boy, Little Bird, Skip To My Lou, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Pretty Saro, London Bridge, The Farmer In The Dell, Hickory Dickory Dock, I Got A Letter This Morning, Riding In A Buggy, Awake, (Go Tell Aunt Rhody) The Ole Grey Goose Is Dead, and more

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Voicing: Solo | 2577b | Songbook | $49.00 | Voice and Piano


Various : Folk Songs : Solo : Songbook : 884088285821 : 1423467647 : 00311841

Various : Folk Songs

A mammoth collection featuring 148 of your all-time folk favorites! Includes: Alouette - Camptown Races - Danny Boy - Greensleeves - Guantanamera - Hava Nagila - Home on the Range - The Red River Valley - Shenandoah - Skip to My Lou - This Little Light of Mine - Yankee Doodle - and many more.

Songlist: In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree, Casey Jones, Guantanamera, Dry Bones, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Frog Went A-Courtin', Lavender's Blue, This Old Man, Wayfaring Stranger, The Wabash Cannon Ball, Goober Peas, The Banana Boat Song, This Little Light Of Mine, Worried Man Blues, All My Trials, Kumbaya, Hava Nagila (Let's Be Happy), All Through The Night, Carnival Of Venice, Danny Boy, Auld Lang Syne, Frankie And Johnny, Deep River, Aloha Oe, Alouette, Amazing Grace, Careless Love, Down In The Valley, Freight Train, Skip To My Lou, and more

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Voicing: Solo | 10251b | Songbook | $12.95 | PVG


Various Arrangers : American Folksongs & Spirituals : Solo : Songbook : 073999207965 : 0793559219 : 00310138

Various Arrangers : American Folksongs & Spirituals

75 songs of American heritage, including: All The Pretty Little Horses - Arkansas Traveler - Aura Lee - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - The Blue Tail Fly - Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight) - Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie - Cotton Eyed Joe - Deep River - Down In The Valley - The Drunken Sailor - Git Along, Little Doggies - Home On The Range - Hush, Little Baby - I've Been Working On The Railroad - Joshua (Fit The Battle Of Jericho) - Never Said A Mumblin' Word - Oh! Susanna - Old Joe Clark - The Red River Valley - She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain - Shenandoah - Simple Gifts - Steal Away - The Streets Of Laredo - Wayfaring Stranger - and many more!

Songlist: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, The Wabash Cannon Ball, Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door, Soon I Will Be Done (Trouble Of The World), Steal Away (Steal Away To Jesus), This Little Light Of Mine, Simple Gifts, The Lonesome Road, All My Trials, All The Pretty Little Horses, Frankie And Johnny, Deep River, Down In The Valley, Skip To My Lou, Turkey In The Straw, Animal Fair, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, When The Saints Go Marching In, Arkansas Traveler, Home On The Range, I've Been Working On The Railroad, Yankee Doodle Boy, Aura Lee, Standin' In The Need Of Prayer (Standing In The Need Of Prayer), Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, There Is A Balm In Gilead, The Red River Valley, John Henry, Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20381b | Songbook | $17.95 | PVG


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


Skip to My Lou : 2-Part : Kirby Shaw : Songbook : 08564140 : 073999641400

Kirby Shaw : Skip to My Lou

This creative arrangement of one of America's liveliest folksongs is sheer fun. Great closer! Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 2:15.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Country: United States

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Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.10 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08564140


Skip to My Lou : SATB : Dan Forrest : Sheet Music : 08764865 : 728215050565

Dan Forrest : Skip to My Lou

This arrangement of the traditional American folk song in the Folk Songs of America series by composer Dan Forrest is scored for mixed chorus. The work can be performed a cappella or with piano and creative percussion accompaniment. Try it with high school or university voices or community chorus. Great for American Music month! Difficulty Level: Medium Advanced Middle School. High School or Medium Adult.

Arranger: Dan Forrest | Country: American Folk

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $4.95 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08764865


Skip to My Lou : SSAATTBB : Paul Busselberg : Sheet Music : WLG134 : 884088475703

Paul Busselberg : Skip to My Lou

This riveting arrangement offers a chance for your choir to go all out! A perfect concert closer or encore with a fun four-hand piano accompaniment. Duration: ca. 3:20. Lynne Gackle Choral Series.

Arranger: Paul Busselberg

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Voicing: SSAATTBB | Sheet Music | $2.55 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| WLG134


Skip to My Lou : SSAA : Frank Ferko : Frank Ferko : Sheet Music : 8904

Frank Ferko : Skip to My Lou

Commissioned by Christopher Watson, conductor of the Trinity College Choir, Melbourne, for the ensemble's U.S. concert tour in 2020. This setting is a brisk one, with coy syncopation and lots of interplay. The tune itself is even inverted at one point. Not easy but the fun makes up for it.

Composer: Frank Ferko

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Voicing: SSAA | Sheet Music | $2.35 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 8904


Skip to My Lou : TTBB : Rachel Stenson : Rachel Stenson : Sheet Music : SBMP685 : 964807006859

Rachel Stenson : Skip to My Lou

Great fun for the male choir. The arranger cleverly skips a beat along the way, briefly tripping up the toe-tapping nature of this delightful piece.

Composer: Rachel Stenson

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.35 | With Piano | video
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| SBMP685


Skip to My Lou : SATB : Greg Gilpin : Sheet Music : 00-34749 : 038081384757

Greg Gilpin : Skip to My Lou

Solid arranging techniques and a playful spirit give this old dance a few new steps. Listen for the add-on ostinati, ear-bending chord progressions, unexpected rhythmic twists, falsetto tenors, descant sopranos, poignant "lost my partner" solos, and . . . buzzing bees?! Sounds silly, but requires serious singing.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $1.95 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-34749
Other Voicings: TTBB


Skip to My Lou : SAB : John Purifoy : Sheet Music : 00118857 : 884088902667

John Purifoy : Skip to My Lou

Two American folk classics are combined in this fresh setting that will be easy to learn and fun to perform! With a spinning wheel like accompaniment, harmonic surprises and a contrasting a cappella section, there is plenty of interesting and satisfying musical material to enjoy! Available separately: SATB, SAB, 2-Part. Duration: ca. 2:40.

Arranger: John Purifoy | Country: United States

More details
Voicing: SAB | Sheet Music | $1.90 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00118857 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part, SATB

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