“Read, Sing, Play ABC Sing-Along,” A Singable Book, Letter T (tune of “Reuben, Reuben”)
Posted on: August 10, 2010
Reuben, Reuben I’ve been thinking quite a lot about letter T!
Sing the words of the song for the letter T to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben.”
Read, Sing, Play ABC Sing-Along
Words Adapted by Teddy Slater
Illustrated by Liisa Chauncy Guida
Tina Takes Tap-Dancing Lessons
(Lyrics by Teddy Slater, from book “ABC Sing-Along,” sing to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben”)
Tina takes tap-dancing lessons.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
She taps all day.
She has not time for toys or games.
She’d really rather tap than play.
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The original lyrics, here:
Reuben, Reuben
(Also known as “Reuben and Rachel”)
Traditional Words and Tune
Reuben, Reuben, I’ve been thinking
What a fine world this would be
If the men were all transported
Far beyond the northern sea.
Oh, my goodness, gracious, Rachel,
What a strange world this would be
If the men were all transported
Far beyond the northern sea.
Reuben, Reuben, I’ve been thinking
What a great life girls would lead
If they had no men about them
None to tease them, none to heed.
Rachel, Rachel, I’ve been thinking
Life would be so easy then
What a lovely world this would be
If you’d leave it to the men.
Reuben, Reuben, stop your teasing
If you’ve any love for me
I was only just a-fooling
As I thought, of course, you’d see.
Rachel, if you’ll not transport us
I will take you for my wife
And I’ll split with you my money
Every pay day of my life!
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A YouTube performance of the song ”Reuben, Reuben” featuring Patsy Cline:
I LOVE the bluegrass arrangement here by the Dave Grover and the Big Bear Band album “Passin’ It On”:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V9K4B0/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk9
A brief history of song and original lyrics, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_and_Rachel
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I can’t seem to locate a Singable Picture Book dedicated to this song. However, the tune is very useful for singing poetry or verse that matches its meter. For example all the following books, written in verse, can be sung to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben” (a tune which is also known as “Reuben and Rachel.”)
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The Dangerous Alphabet
Words by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Gris Grimly
(Sing this to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben”)
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Drummer Hoff
Traditional words and tune
Words Adapted by Barbara Emberley
Illustrated by Ed Emberley
(This one has confounded me a little. The copyright information in the book states that this book is based on “A cumulative folk song in which seven soldiers build magnificent cannon.” So far, my research has not identified what song that is or the tune that goes with it.
I’m still looking and will update. If you happen to know that original tune, please let us know!! In the mean time, I discovered you can sing the text to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben.”)
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Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin
Words by Lloyd Moss
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
(You can sing “Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin” to the tune of “Reuben, Reuben”)
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“Reuben, Reuben” a Useful Tune
