School Songs
One of Steve's favorite jobs is writing songs with children. When he goes to schools as an Artist in Residence, Steve teaches children of all ages how to write songs — and in the process writes one with them. Here are some of the songs Steve and the kids have written in the past few years. You can listen to or download the songs for free!
Click here to watch the video and listen to "We Don't Do That Here."
Click here to watch the video and listen to "We Don't Do That Here."
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| Title | Writer | Links | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A New Dawn - MAR 2010 | Park Academy: Lake Oswego, OR | A New Dawn - MAR 2010
Everyone has hard times
Everyone loses hope We’re all trying to find our way Through this life When the night gets dark Full of misery Just look in your heart And you’ll see A new dawn A new day Where all your troubles fade away A new dream An awakening A new dawn A new day I’ve had my share of rain I’ve made it through many storms Everyone made me stronger In the end There’s a silver lining In every cloud A beautiful sun Waits to come out A new dawn A new day Where all your troubles fade away A new dream An awakening A new dawn A new day A new dawn A new day Where all your troubles fade away A new dream An awakening A new dawn A new day |
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| A Person of Integrity | A Person of Integrity
A friend of mine asked me to take care of her pets
While her family went off to Peru They had five dogs, three cats, a turtle and a hamster It was gonna take me all weekend before I was through Another friend called me, said, "Let's go to the movies." I said, "Sorry, I can't go." I got a job to do and I don't wanna rush through You know me well enough to know I take pride in my work, I always keep my word If I make a promise you can count on me I don't lie and I don't cheat, try not to hurt other people I'm just trying to be a person of integrity A person of integrity Yesterday at school I saw somebody teasing someone else I said, "Hey, stop it! That's not cool." They said, "Don't you dare tell on me - if you do I'm gonna tease you, too." I said, "I don't have a choice, I have to tell the truth I'm a person of integrity and you should be, too." I take pride in my work, I always keep my word If I make a promise you can count on me I don't lie and I don't cheat, try not to hurt other people I'm just trying to be a person of integrity A person of integrity |
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| Back in Time - MAR 2010 | Chinook Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Back in Time - MAR 2010
When I was eight years old
My cousin and my brother Pushed me in a puddle And laughed at me I got so angry I told them they were stupid I told them I would tell on them And when I did I stretched the story Even though they deserved it I wish I’d done something different If I could go back in time There’s not much I would change Looking back at my life I’ve learned a lot From every mistake I’ve made I’d try to be more kind I’d always speak my mind If I could go back in time There was a kid in my school Who everyone was teasing I should have said something But I didn’t say a thing Later I felt so bad That I went up to him I said could we be friends He said thanks for helping me And right then I promised myself I’d always stand up for someone else If I could go back in time There’s not much I would change Looking back at my life I’ve learned a lot From every mistake I’ve made I’d try to be more kind I’d always speak my mind If I could go back in time The years go by so fast The memories always last If I could go back in time There’s not much I would change Looking back at my life I’ve learned a lot From every mistake I’ve made I’d try to be more kind I’d always speak my mind If I could go back in time I wonder what I would find If I could go back in time |
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| Be Responsible - MARCH 2009 | Be Responsible - MARCH 2009
It’s up to you, it’s up to me
It’s up to all of us to be Responsible Things we do, things we say With every single choice we make We can be responsible Be responsible If you make a mess clean it up Take good care of all your stuff Walk your dog, feed your pets Study hard for all your tests Return books to the library Don’t let the water run when you brush your teeth It’s up to you, it’s up to me It’s up to all of us to be Responsible Things we do, things we say With every single choice we make We can be responsible Be responsible If you borrow something give it back Do your chores without being asked Eat good food, exercise And when you’re wrong apologize Finish all your homework before you play A single minute of your favorite video game It’s up to you, it’s up to me It’s up to all of us to be Responsible Things we do, things we say With every single choice we make We can be responsible Be responsible To yourself, to your neighbors To your friends and family To all humanity It’s up to you, it’s up to me It’s up to all of us to be Responsible Things we do, things we say With every single choice we make We can be responsible Be responsible Be responsible Be responsible |
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| Be a Buddy, not a Bully - NOV 2009 | Elmwood Elementary's 3rd Grade, IN | Be a Buddy, not a Bully - NOV 2009
One day at school
I saw somebody Pushing someone down to the ground I walked up and said Hey what’s your problem If you’re gonna act like that just get out of town Let me give you some advice It always pays to be nice Be a buddy Not a bully It’s the only way to be in the end If you’re a buddy And not a bully You’ll feel the power The power of a friend I’m here to help you Make good choices I’m here to talk to you and calm you down Hurting other people Gets you no where Accept each other that’s what I’ve found If you want someone to play with you Here’s what I say you should do Be a buddy Not a bully It’s the only way to be in the end If you’re a buddy And not a bully You’ll feel the power The power of a friend Friends don’t start fights They don’t make fun of you You can count on them to do what they say They’re honest, they’re caring And when you’re feeling sad They’ll make you feel okay Be a buddy Not a bully It’s the only way to be in the end If you’re a buddy And not a bully You’ll feel the power The power of a friend The power of a friend |
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| Because I Care - MARCH 2009 | Because I Care - MARCH 2009
I have a real nice bike that I like
To ride up and down the street One day the boy next door said, “Can I borrow your bicycle? That would be so neat” I said, “Sure, give it a try” As he rode away we both smiled Because I care I always share I try to be there for everyone For people in need, for friends and family I say a prayer because I care I took a walk downtown, saw someone down on his luck He was hungry and poor I had a sandwich, I gave it to him I said, “Yeah it was mine but you need it more” He said, “Thanks,” I said, “You're welcome” He said, “Why did you do that?” And I told him, Because I care I always share I try to be there for everyone For people in need, for friends and family I say a prayer because I care We're all living on this planet It's up to all of us To help each other To love one another Because I care I always share I try to be there for everyone For people in need, for friends and family I say a prayer because I care Because I care Because I care |
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| Because I Care - OCT 2009 | Adat Ari El School 5th grade | Because I Care - OCT 2009
Because I care I will be there for you
I'll always share try to be fair You can count on me to do what I say I'll do today tomorrow for all our years I'll share your joy I'll dry your tears Because I care If you fall I'll pick you up I'll listen when you need to talk If it's mine it's yours That's what friends are for Because I care I will be there for you I'll always share try to be fair You can count on me to do what I say I'll do today tomorrow for all our years I'll share your joy I'll dry your tears Because I care If I make you a promise I'll keep it If we say we're gonna hang out I'll be there It's true I'd do Anything for you Because I care I will be there for you I'll always share try to be fair You can count on me to do what I say I'll do When you hit a home run I'll be cheering you on When you do well in school I'll say well done and if someone tries to put you down I'll stick up for you that's what I'll do Because I care I will be there for you I'll always share try to be fair You can count on me to do what I say I'll do today tomorrow for all our years I'll share your joy I'll dry your tears Because I care Because I care Because I care |
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| Believe - MAR 2010 | Harney Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Believe - MAR 2010
Believe
Believe Like sisters and brother We’re helping each other Believe Believe Learning together We can achieve Anything Anything At my school Everybody shares Everybody cares Everybody matters We are respectful We are responsible We’re a community We’re like a family We believe Believe Like sisters and brother We’re helping each other Believe Believe Learning together We can achieve Anything Anything I like my teachers They care about me They’re trying to teach me All kinds of stuff Like social studies And geography Reading and writing Math and science We believe Believe Like sisters and brother We’re helping each other Believe Believe Learning together We can achieve Anything Anything We all have dreams And if they’re going to come true We need to believe Believe Like sisters and brother We’re helping each other Believe Believe Learning together We can achieve Anything Everything |
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| Best Friends Forever - OCT 2009 | Adat Ari El School 3rd grade | Best Friends Forever - OCT 2009
Best Friends Forever B F F
we'll stick together like tape like glue I'm stuck on you We'll never grow apart now in my heart we'll be nothin less than B F F I'll stand up for you never let you down I'll make you laugh when you have a frown one thing will always be true I'll always be there for you Best Friends Forever B F F we'll stick together like tape like glue I'm stuck on you We'll never grow apart I know in my heart we'll be nothin less than B F F We'll help each other do well in school remind each other of the golden rule and if we ever have a fight we'll talk it over we'll make things right Best Friends Forever B F F we'll stick together like tape like glue I'm stuck on you We'll never grow apart I know in my heart we'll be nothin less than B F F We'll play softball and soccer, football and hockey We'll go for a ride on our bikes there'll be sleep overs shopping movies with popcorn Sometimes our families will go for a hike and then play board games all night Best Friends Forever B F F we'll stick together like tape like glue I'm stuck on you We'll never grow apart I know in my heart we'll be nothin less than B F F |
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| Cookin Up A Good Friend - DEC 2009 | Northside Elementary: Hartford City, IN | Cookin Up A Good Friend - DEC 2009
A new kid came to school
Not sure what to do I walked up and said Can I help you He said I need to get to class And I’ve gotta do it fast I don’t want to get a tardy pass On my first day at school ‘Cause that wouldn’t be cool I showed him where to go When he said thanks I said no problem I’m cookin’ up a good friend Oh, that’s what I’m doin’ It’s gonna take a special blend To make it happen A cup of kindness A tablespoon of trust A helpful heap of happiness and fun That’s a must When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a good friend, yeah At lunch I saw him again I was sitting with a bunch of my friends We said come sit with us He smiled and then he said What are you doing Saturday Maybe we could go to the park and play That’s when I said ok I’m cookin’ up a good friend Oh, that’s what I’m doin’ It’s gonna take a special blend To make it happen A cup of kindness A tablespoon of trust A helpful heap of happiness and fun That’s a must When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a good friend, oh yeah I’m cookin’ up a good friend Oh, that’s what I’m doin’ It’s gonna take a special blend To make it happen A cup of kindness A tablespoon of trust A helpful heap of happiness and fun It’s a must When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a When you’re cookin’ up a good friend |
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| Don't Be A Liar - APRIL 2010 | East Lake School, 3rd grade Room 10 | Don't Be A Liar - APRIL 2010
I had a pretty glass box that my grandma gave me
I found it shattered in pieces so I asked my brother what happened to this do you know he looked at me and said no I don't He had a guilty look written on his face I asked him again and he confessed I said thank you for your honesty doesn't it feel good to come clean Don't be a liar always tell the truth it'll take you higher it'll make you feel good too liars are losers in the end build a tower of trust and you'll always have friends Don't be a liar I was hanging out on the playground at east lake school Some kids were playing hide and seek I said can I play too they said sure you go and hide but they never looked for me and after 20 minutes had gone by I went to the office and told on them They denied it and I looked at them and said Don't be a liar always tell the truth it'll take you higher it'll make you feel good too liars are losers in the end build a tower of trust and you'll always have friends Don't be a liar when you mess up fess up Don't be a liar always tell the truth it'll take you higher it'll make you feel good too liars are losers in the end build a tower of trust and you'll always have friends Don't be a liar |
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| Don't Put Me Down | Don't Put Me Down
Don’t put me down, don’t push me around
Be respectful and kind Say please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me Be courteous and you just might find That everyone will like you And you’ll have a million friends And the world will be a better place In the end Don’t put me down, don’t push me around Be respectful and kind Be responsible, honest, caring and loyal I think that you will find That everyone will like you And you’ll have a million friends And the world will be a better place In the end And maybe someday there’ll be Peace on earth Don’t put me down, don’t push me around Be respectful and kind Say please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me Be courteous and sure you’ll find That everyone will like you And you’ll have a million friends And if everyone is like you In the end The world will be a better place The world will be a better place Don’t put me down Don’t put me down Don’t put me down |
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| Don't Wanna Be This Way | Don't Wanna Be This Way
Last night I told a lie to my parents
I said I’d done my homework but I hadn’t I felt sad and guilty Bad and empty And a little ashamed of myself And yesterday I went to school I bullied this boy and that’s not cool And he said why are you doing this to me He said why are you being so mean, and I said I don’t wanna be this way I don’t wanna feel this way I don’t wanna spend one more day Mad at the world I wanna be happy and confident Kind and a good friend I wanna be free I wanna be me That’s what I wanna be He looked at me and said I wanna help you I wanna make you feel better that’s what friends do I used to do the same thing I used to be that way And one day I woke up and said I’ve gotta change I don’t wanna be this way I don’t wanna feel this way I don’t wanna spend one more day Mad at the world I wanna be happy and confident Kind and a good friend I wanna be free I wanna be me That’s what I wanna be I wanna be free I wanna be me That’s what I wanna be |
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| Each And Every One | Roosevelt Elementary | Each And Every One
There’s somebody somewhere without enough to eat
Shelters full of people with nowhere else to sleep It’s up to us to help them get back on their feet Show them that somebody cares Last Saturday morning instead of playing with my friends I volunteered at the food bank, I might start a new trend Where everyone will take the time to lend a helping hand Let’s show somebody they care Each and every one of us Needs some help sometimes If we all just work together With our hearts and with our minds We can change the world Make it a better place If we do our part If we show our love It’ll help each and every one of us Each and every one of us One day at my school a friend was feeling down I said what’s wrong, can I help somehow He smiled and said thank you, I’m glad you came around It’s nice that you care about me Someday my grandma might not walk so well Might even need a wheelchair, I’ll be there to help To get her in the car, take her to the store And if she ever fell I’d pick her up, she’d do the same for me Each and every one of us Needs some help sometime If we all just work together With our hearts and with our minds We can change the world Make it a better place If we do our part If we show our love It’ll help each and every one of us Each and every one of us So compliment somebody Give them encouragement Be kind, caring, thoughtful Be a friend Each and every one of us Needs some help sometimes If we all just work together With our hearts and with our minds We can change the world Make it a better place If we do our part If we show our love It’ll help each and every one of us Each and every one of us |
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| Earth Deserves Better | Grove Elementary | Earth Deserves Better
We’re filling up landfills
We’re cutting down trees Dumping sewage in the ocean Wasting energy The ice caps are melting The polar bears are dying The whole wide world Should be crying Earth deserves better We all need to try a little harder There’s too much pollution Global warming’s out of hand Our planet’s in trouble It’s time to take a stand Earth deserves better Organize a car pool Ride your bike a little more Buy food from local farmers At your neighborhood store Stop and think before you litter Start a compost bin If we reduce, reuse, recycle We can fix this mess we’re in Earth deserves better We all need to try a little harder There’s too much pollution Global warming’s out of hand Our planet’s in trouble It’s time to take a stand Earth deserves better If we don’t do something soon We’ll have to all move to the moon And there’s not much there No water and hardly any air Earth deserves better We all need to try a little harder There’s too much pollution Global warming’s out of hand Our planet’s in trouble It’s time to take a stand Earth deserves better We all need to try a little harder There’s too much pollution Global warming’s out of hand Our planet’s in trouble It’s time to take a stand Earth deserves better |
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| Encinal Means Excellence - MAY 2010 | Classes of Mrs. Sanchez and Mrs. Yamada | Encinal Means Excellence - MAY 2010
Encinal is our school
We’re eagles flying high Encinal means excellence Eagles show your pride We stand up for each other We help one another We work hard, we persevere Encinal is our school I’m glad I’m here We show up every morning with a good attitude We head down to our classrooms ready to learn something new Yeah we have a job to do Our teacher says,”take your seats, it’s time to hit the books” Reading, writing, math and music It’s not as easy as it looks We always do our best We are up to the test Encinal is our school We’re eagles flying high Encinal means excellence Eagles show your pride We stand up for each other We help one another We work hard, we persevere Encinal is our school I’m glad I’m here When there’s a new kid in our class we welcome them We answer questions, show them kindness Treat them as our friend Invite ‘em over on the weekend We celebrate uniqueness in our community But we accept our differences Sometimes we disagree but we always work it out And without a doubt Encinal is our school We’re eagles flying high Encinal means excellence Eagles show your pride We stand up for each other We help one another We work hard, we persevere Encinal is our school I’m glad I’m here |
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| Every Day Counts | Play | Download | |||
| Every Day Counts - DEC 2009 | Northside Elementary: Hartford City, IN | Every Day Counts - DEC 2009
I used to watch too much tv
I used to play video games One day I realized that was pretty lame So I called a friend, said, "Can you come over? Maybe we could go ride our bikes Go fishing, go swimming We can do anything you like." Every day counts Every moment is precious Don’t spend your time wasting time From when you wake up in the morning To when you go to sleep at night Make sure you do your best If life is a test Every day counts Every day counts At home I try to help my family Get myself dressed and do my chores Eat a good breakfast, brush my teeth And I’m out the door When I’m at school I make good choices I study hard, wanna get good grades And when my work is done, I get to have fun Playing games Every day counts Every moment is precious Don’t spend your time wasting time From when you wake up in the morning To when you go to sleep at night Make sure you do your best If life is a test Every day counts Every day counts I’m trying to reach my goals And be a good friend I’ll be helping my community Right up to the end Every day counts Every moment is precious Don’t spend your time wasting time From when you wake up in the morning To when you go to sleep at night Make sure you do your best If life is a test Every day counts Every day counts Every day counts |
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| Few Profit Many Suffer | Park Academy | Few Profit Many Suffer
Sweat shops full of children makin’ all our clothes
Companies make secrets so they won’t be exposed Oh, it’s a shame Some eat like kings while on vacation flyin’ on a jet While billions suffer from starvation, can’t get out of debt Oh, it’s a money game And few profit, many suffer There’s way more at the bottom than the top They say they’ll spread the wealth around But they don’t leave the ladder down Who says life is fair It’s not Greedy corporations dumpin’ sewage in our seas They’re gettin’ even richer, exploiting our diseases Oh, it’s a shame Makin’ weapons of destruction just to fuel the war machine Killing people in the desert over gasoline Oh, it’s a money game And few profit, many suffer There’s way more at the bottom than the top They say they’ll spread the wealth around But they don’t leave the ladder down Who says life is fair It’s not Few profit, many suffer There’s way more at the bottom than the top They say they’ll spread the wealth around But they don’t leave the ladder down Who says life is fair It’s not |
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| Food | Food
If it was up to me
All I would ever eat Is pizza and ice cream Spaghetti, hot dogs and chips Marshmallows, whipped cream Chocolate on my banana splits Food, food, food (Food, food, food) I love food (I love food) All kinds of food, food, food My mom says I should eat More food that’s good for me Like spinach and cabbage Cauliflower and asparagus Green beans, potatoes Artichokes, tomatoes And a whole lot of lettuce Food, food, food (Food, food, food) I love food (I love food) All kinds of food, food, food I secretly like broccoli But I won’t tell my family ‘Cause then they’ll serve it all the time Food, food, food (Food, food, food) I like food (I like food) All kinds of food, food, food Like cookies and candy And cocoa with my carrot cake Apples and watermelon Strawberries, kiwi and grapes Oh and ketchup, mayo, mustard, butter Salsa and chips Milk and soda Juice and water I’m a big fan of Food, food, food (Food, food, food) I love food (I love food) All kinds of food, food Food, food, food (Food, food, food) I love food (I love food) All kinds of food, food, food |
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| Forgive I Will | Bayside Middle School, WI | Forgive I Will
I thought you were a person I could tell my secrets to
'Til you started all those rumors that you knew weren't really true At first I couldn't believe my ears And then I cried a lake of tears I'm not sure how, but I know what I have to do Even though you hurt me and betrayed my tryst And every word you said haunts me still Forever is a long, long time to carry a grudge So forgive, I will We used to be inseparable, we were best of friends And it would be a pity to just let this whole thing end I don't know what it's gonna take And it won't be a piece of cake But I know I want you in my life again Forgiveness is very hard to find Forgiveness it comes with time |
Play | Download | |
| Friends | Friends
Where would I be without friends
Where would I be without friends They stand up for me They’re trustworthy And they’re fun to be around Yeah, they make me laugh And when I’m in trouble They always help me out Where would I be without friends Where would I be without Be without friends Where would I be without friends Where would I be without friends They’re loyal and kind Most of the time And when we disagree We find a way To talk things over That feels so good to me Where would I be without friends Where would I be without friends Where would I be without Be without friends Where would I be without Be without friends We play jump rope and hopscotch And video games We go to the movies We never call each other names We have sleepovers and ice skating Swimming and shopping And that’s not all we do It’s true Where would I be without friends Where would I be without friends Where would I be without Be without friends Where would I be without friends Where would I be without friends |
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| Friends and Family | Friends and Family
I like to jump rope with my best friends
Play kickball and if I fall, they pick me up I like to play cards with my mom and dad Monopoly with my family's What I love to do Now, where would I be Without friends and family? I’d be sad and alone They keep you safe And they’re always there for you They try to teach you right from wrong Everybody needs friends and family Someone to talk to, to laugh with Take care of you and help you though tough times They take you places you’ve never been before On your birthday, they do a little more They’re always kind to you Where would I be Without friends and family? I’d be sad and alone They keep you safe They’re always there for you They try to teach you right from wrong Everybody needs friends and family Friends and family You can count on them They’ll never let you down Now, where would I be Without friends and family? I’d be sad and alone They keep you safe They’re always there for you They teach me right from wrong Everybody needs friends and family |
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| Fun Time - MAR 2010 | Harney Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Play | Download | ||
| Heart, Head, Hands | Heart, Head, Hands
I am responsible for what I say and do
I am dependable, I always tell the truth I look at serving my community That's one of life's great opportunities I use my heart to show I care I use my head to make good choices I use my hands to do whatever it takes I use my heart, head, hands, to make this world a better place I'm kind to everyone and treat all respectfully When there are problems I solve them peacefully I try to be part of the solution I'm here to make a big contribution I use my heart to show I care I use my head to make good choices I use my hands to do whatever it takes I use my heart, head, hands, to make this world a better place |
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| History | Park Academy | Play | Download | ||
| Honesty | Stonebrae | Play | Download | ||
| How Can We - MAR 2010 | Walnut Grove Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Play | Download | ||
| I Have a Dream - MAR 2010 | Harney Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Play | Download | ||
| I wish | Chinook Elementary: Vancouver, WA | Play | Download | ||
