9 Back to School Songs

I hope those of you who are returning back to school or know someone who is about to start a new school year... well, I'm wishing all of you a great school year ahead. One of my grandson's elementary school starts Monday, August 12... today! When does it begin for you? I do hope your summer has been marvelous. I've been with 3 of my 5 grandchildren for the past week, so I've been a bit behind on the computer. So, hopefully I'll catch up!

I've mostly been playing I-V or I-IV-V7 progressions, especially when it comes to kids' songs.  In case you missed a few of my articles on some beginner-intermediate level articles on the subject, if you want, visit Understanding-2-5-1-Progressions and The-II-V-I-Chord-Progression

Wherever you are, enjoy playing some easy familiar tunes with different lyrics for back to school... whether on the piano or guitar, these simple songs will help children feel at ease going to school on the very first day! Lyric credits go to Judy Hall, Cindy Dingwall, Lindsay Hall and Betty Ruth Baker.

1. We Like to Come to School
    Sung to: The farmer in the Dell

       D
We like to come to school,
We like to come to school.
Our school is such a happy place,
                   A7        D
We like to come to school.

Substitute the words terrific, great, yummy, friendly, fun, exciting, etc. for the word happy.

2. It's Time to Go to School
Sung to: She'll be Coming Round the Mountain

        F
It is time to go to school, here we come,
                                                         C7
It is time to go to school, here we come.
        F
It is time to go to school,
                  Bb
We think school is pretty cool,
        F                   C7                      F
It is time to go to school, here we come.

3. I Like to Go to School
Sung to: The Farmer In the Dell

   D
I like to go to school,
I like to go to school.
Heigh-ho-the derry-oh,
   A7                D
I like to go to school.

Additional verses: I like to look at books; I like to build with blocks; I like to listen to stories; I like to draw and paint; I like to sing new songs; I like to play with friends.

4. Off to School We Go
Sung to: A-Hunting We Will Go

C
Off to school we go,
      G
It's off to school we go.
          C                              F
We'll take our lunch and ride the bus,
          C      G         C
With everyone we know.
C
Off to school we go,
      G
It's off to school we go.
       C                    F
We learn our ABC's and more,
          C       G          C
With everyone we know.

5. Waiting For the Bus
Sung to: Frere Jacques

C
I am waiting, I am waiting,
For the bus, for the bus.
When will it get here?
Hopefully it is near.
Here it comes, here it comes.

6. Down At the Bus Stop
Sung to: Down By the Station

C
Down at the bus stop
G                   C
Early in the morning,
See all the children,
G                    C
Everyone we know.
Waiting for the school bus
G                      C
Safely on the sidewalk,
Honk-honk, beep-beep,
G         C
Off we go.

7. The Children On the Bus
Sung to: The Wheels On the Bus

        F
The children on the bus sit nice and quiet
C                        F
Nice and quiet, nice and quiet.
the children on the bus sit nice and quiet
C                          F
When we take a ride.

        F
The children on the bus look out the window,
C                          F
Out the window, out the window.
The children on the bus look out the window
C                          F
When we take a ride.

        F
The children on the bus stay in their seats,
C                     F
In their seats, in their seats.
The children on the bus stay in their seats
C                         F
When we take a ride.

8. To Our School
Sung to: Over the River and through the Woods

C
Over the bridges and through the streets
      F          G7            C
It's to our school we go.
         F                           C
The drivers know the way to go
               G7                        C
As they drive us safe and slow.
C
Over the bridges and through the streets
      F              G7           C
In rain and sleet and snow.
            F                                 C
They drive with care, they get us there
      G7
As over the streets we go.

9. Early Morning Schoolyard
Sung to: Down by the Station

C
Down by the schoolyard
G                   C
Early in the morning,
See the yellow buses
G                    C
Lining up so well.
Dropping off the children
G                       C
Going to their classrooms,
Bong-bong, ding-dong,
G                 C
There's the bell.






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King