Dinosaur Songs, Part I

[Amado Narvaez <anarvaez@umd5.umd.edu>]

This is mainly for educators, although the songs might be fun for singing 
on some of those dinosaur expeditions sponsored by various groups for 
dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages. Permission is granted to schools and 
other groups to use the lyrics of these songs for non-profit activities. 
Publication and recording rights are reserved by Amado Narvaez. The tunes 
are from songs in the public domain.

        Mesozoic
(to the tune of "Darling Clementine") 
Mesozoic--Mesozoic,
Mesozoic was the time
When the world was full of dinosaurs
Of ev'ry shape and kind!
 
First Triassic, then Jurassic,
Then Cretaceous--and I hear
They were rulers on the planet
140 million years!
 
You will meet them in our program,
Maybe even hear them roar!
We are proud to introduce you
To the mighty dinosaurs!
------------------------------------------
        (Note: As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I have encountered a 
variety of estimates for the duration of the reign of dinosaurs. 
Fortunately, "160 million years" will fit the melody for those who think 
160 million is a more accurate guesstimate.)

        Mesozoic (reprise at the end of a dinosaur show)
(to the tune of "Darling Clementine")
Mesozoic--Mesozoic,
Mesozoic was the time
When the world was full of dinosaurs
Of ev'ry shape and kind!
 
First Triassic, then Jurassic,
Then Cretaceous--but I hear
At the end of the Cretaceous
Ev'ry dino disappeared!
 
Was it due to the explosion
Of a meteor on high?
Did a drastic change of weather
Cause the dinosaurs to die?
 
How we miss them! How we miss them!
How we miss them ev'ry one!
There is nothing left but fossils
And we miss them every one!


        Hunting Dinosaurs and Fossils
(to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad!")
Hunting dinosaurs and fossils--
Working in the sun!
Hunting dinosaurs and fossils
Is exhausting, but it's fun!
Skeletons and fossil trackways
Or eggs we hope to find--
Hunting with a pick and brush what
The dinos left behind!
 
Hunting with a pick--Hunting with a pick--
Hunting with a pick and bru-u-ush!
Hunting with a pick--Hunting with a pick--
Hunting with a pick and brush!
 
This is some of our equipment,
Things we need when hunting for-or-or-or...
This is some of our equipment
When we hunt for dinosaurs!
----------------------------------------------
    The lyrics were quickly memorized by the kindergarteners at my 
school, and I tried to sneak in as much factual information as possible. 
If there are any questionable facts, please point them out so that I can 
correct them. From these first three songs the kids learned: 1) the three 
periods of the Mesozoic in order; 2) one estimate of the duration of the 
reign of dinosaurs; 3)two theories for the dinosaur extinction (meteor 
impact/climate changes).
    Next installment: "Coelophysis" and "Plateosaurus."

----- Amado Narvaez
      anarvaez@umd5.umd.edu