July 2003 Song of the Month

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Thread a Needle
Copyright 2003 Nancy Stewart

From Mary Lee and Nancy’s concert “Songs and Tales of the Trails”
This song may also be found along with other songs of the Oregon trail on their recording of the same title, available in the Shop

I have sung this with all ages of children, explaining first all the sewing that needs to be done to move west. I ask the children if they have ever threaded a needle, or if any of their mothers sews. Then I have them all pretend to hold a needle up and thread it. Then we pull back on the lyric “tight.” Since there is so much sewing to be done, we just keep “stitching” throughout the song, pausing only when it’s time to again thread the needle. Again, all ages seem to be mesmerized by the activity and song.

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Thread a Needle

Thread a needle, pull it tight,
Stitching day and stitching night
We’re going to the promised land

Of sturdy canvas I will sew
A cover for the wagon, oh
We’re going to the promised land

For me, a dress of calico,
This quilt will be a piece of home

So thread a needle, pull it tight,
Stitching day and stitching night
We’re going to the promised land

We’ll need some sacks to carry grain,
And tents to keep us from the rain
We’re going to the promised land

And every stitch is made with care
In hopes we’ll make it safely there

When darkness falls we still can see,
By candlelight you can read to me
We’re going to the promised land

So thread a needle, pull it tight,
Stitching day and stitching night
We’re going to the promised land

We’re going to the promised land