The lyrics and musical notation for these songs can be found in the revised 2008 edition of Pete’s “singalong memoir,” Where Have All the Flowers Gone (Sing Out! Publications). The lyrics reprinted here are mostly as Pete sings them on his new At 89 CD, which occasionally varies from their printed versions.

2. False from True
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1968). © 1968 Sanga Music, Inc.

When my songs turn to ashes on my tongue,
When I look in the mirror and see I’m no longer young,
Then I got to start again the job of separating false from true,
And then I need to know, I know I need the love of you.

When I found tarnish on some of my brightest dreams,
When some folks I’d trusted turned out not quite like they seemed;
Then I got to start the job of separating false from true,
Then once more I know, I know I need the love of you.

No song I can sing will make Governor Wallace change his mind
No song I can sing will take the gun from a hate-filled man;
But I promise you, and you, brothers and sisters of every skin,
I’ll sing your story while I’ve breath within.

We got to keep on keeping on, even when the sun goes down,
We got to live, live, live, live until another day comes ’round;
Meanwhile, better start over, separating false from true,
And more and more, I know I need the love of you.

3. Now We Sit Us Down
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1985). TRO - © 1993 Melody Trails, Inc.

Old Father Hudson
NOW WE SIT US DOWN
Ye winds and waters
COME AND GATHER ’ROUND.

We’ve had some good eating
NOW WE SIT US DOWN
So let’s start the meeting
COME AND GATHER ’ROUND.

Mighty full agenda
NOW WE SIT US DOWN
It’s a real mind bender!
COME AND GATHER ’ROUND.

But if we all choose our words well
NOW WE SIT US DOWN
We’ll avoid the too-long-talker’s hell
COME AND GATHER ’ROUND.

5. Visions of Children
Words by Pete Seeger (1993). Music by Ludwig von Beethoven (1812). TRO - © 1993 Melody Trails, Inc.

We’ll work together, even though we work diff’rently.
When we consider all the many dangers
Visions of children asking us to save them.
Building their gardens, all through the world.

Spoken segment by Pete

(repeat verse)

6. Wonderful Friends
Words and Music by Lorre Wyatt and Pete Seeger. © Roots and Branches Music

Chorus:
When I think of the ways that I’ve grown
I know I couldn’t a’ made it alone
I owe a lot to the sharing, caring, daring
Wonderful friends that I’ve known.
I owe a lot to the sharing, caring, daring
Wonderful friends that I’ve known

Here we are all in one place, all gathered together,
We’ve helped each other down this road whatever the weather.
We have no need for pots of gold, for friends are a treasure.
So hold hands, and sing it again

(Chorus)

Many years ago when I was feeling discouraged
I found that singing with my friends would fill me with courage
It’s a rough and rocky road we’re on, so when we get worried
With old friends, we’ll sing it again

(Chorus)

It looks like we might sing all night, but looks are deceiving
That old clock upon the wall says, soon I’ve got to be leaving
And though we go our separate ways, there’s no need for grieving
Just hold hands, and sing it again

(Chorus x 2)

9. It’s a Long Haul
Words and music adaptation by Pete Seeger and Travis Jeffrey (1987). Adapted from the song “Long John (Long Gone),” collected and arranged by John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax. TRO © 1934, (renewed) 1993 Ludlow Music, Inc. and Melody Trails, Inc.

One day, one day (one day, one day),
I was walking along (I was walking along),
And I spied a little child (I spied a little child),
Just a-singing a song (just a-singing a song)

About haulin’ together (about haulin’ together),
Keepin’ in time (keepin’ in time).
Hauling on a halyard (hauling on a halyard),
Making up a rhyme (making up a rhyme).

It’s a long haul (it’s a long haul)
It’s a high haul (it’s a high haul)
It’s a job for the many (it’s a job for the many)
Not just for the few (not just for the few)
It’s a job for everybody (it’s a job for everybody)
That’s me and you (that’s me and you)
It’s a long haul (it’s a long haul)
It’s a high haul (it’s a high haul)
It’s a hard haul (it’s a hard haul).

10. Throw Away That Shad Net (How Are We Gonna Tomorrow?)
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1975). TRO - © 1976 (renewed) Melody Trails, Inc.

Throw away that shad net, get rid of hook and line.
There’s no more Hudson fishing, not for a long, long time.
The poison’s in the riverbed, no matter whose the crime.
But how are we gonna save tomorrow?

One thousand honest workers need that paycheck every week,
Way up in Fort Edward where the PCBs did leak.
And the GE Corporation knows the profits it must seek,
But how are we gonna save tomorrow?

PCB was a clever thing, ’way back in twenty-nine.
Transformers and capacitors got turned out on the line.
Nobody suspected what they’d do to us in time,
And now we got to worry ’bout tomorrow.

Well, the purpose of technology is to take a different turn,
We’ll test each new thing carefully, that’s one thing we have learned,
We need a clean world for all to share, and all to work and earn,
Then, maybe, we can save tomorrow.

Well, the experts knew about it, so why not you and me,
Who controls the information in this land of the free?
The laws didn’t seem to help in stopping PCB,
So how are we gonna save tomorrow?

The longest journey taken needs a first step to begin.
This cleanup’s gonna take a while, but now we must begin.
Clearwater says to lend a hand, a claw, a paw, a fin,
’Cause now we got to work to save tomorrow.

Spoken: “This song’s too sad.”

Here’s to the lowly blue crab, because he has no fat
And so he’s got no PCB (hardly) we can say, hooray for that
So I’ll not quit my crabbing, you can stick that in your hat.
Somehow, we’re gonna save tomorrow.

Spoken: “In the old days, coal miners took a canary down to test the air.”

Here’s to the canary we took down in the mine.
Here’s to the Hudson stripers, may their warning be in time.
Here’s to all the young folks singing, “This land is yours and mine.”
That’s how we’re gonna save tomorrow.

Oh, the glory’s on the river, and the struggle’s on the shore
Next year is 1976; let’s start a little war
Anyone who thinks we’re quitting better take just one think more
And that’s how we’re gonna save tomorrow.

So don’t throw away that shad net, don’t junk that hook and line
We’re gonna make some changes, we’re gonna start in time
Clearwater sings to all of us, “This land is yours and mine”
And that’s how we’re gonna save tomorrow. (repeat last line)

11. Song of the World’s Last Whale
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1972). © Stormking Music, Inc.

I heard the song
Of the world’s last whale
As I rocked in the moonlight
And reefed the sail.
“It’ll happen to you
Also without fail
If it happens to me,”
Sang the world’s last whale.

It was down off Bermuda
Early last spring
Near an underwater mountain
Where the Humpbacks sing
I lowered the microphone
’Bout a quarter mile down
Turned on the recorder
And let the tape spin ’round

I didn’t just hear grunting
I didn’t just hear squeaks
I didn’t just hear bellows
I didn’t just hear shrieks
It was the musical singing
And the passionate wail
That came from the heart
Of the world’s last whale.

Down in the Antarctic
There the harpoons wait
But it’s up on land
You decide my fate
In London town
They’ll be telling the tale
If it’s life or death
For the world’s last whale

So here’s a little test
To see how you feel
Here’s a little test
For this age of the automobile
If we can save
Our singers in the sea
Perhaps there’s a chance
To save you and me

I heard the song
Of the world’s last whale
As I rocked in the moonlight
And reefed the sail
“It’ll happen to you
Also without fail
If it happens to me,”
Sang the world’s last whale.

15. If It Can’t Be Reduced
Words by Martin Bourque and Music by Pete Seeger (2008). TRO - © 2008 Melody Trails, Inc.
(Words printed in lower case are sung by the song leader. Words printed in capital letters are repeated or sung by the audience.)

If it can’t be reduced – IF IT CAN’T BE REDUCED
Reused, repaired – REUSED REPAIRED
Rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted – OR COMPOSTED
Then it should be – THEN IT SHOULD BE
Restricted, redesigned – RESTRICTED, REDESIGNED
Or removed – REMOVED!
From production – FROM PRODUCTION

HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
AND ITS ZERO WASTE COMMISSION

HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
AND ITS ZERO WASTE COMMISSION

(repeat first verse)

HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
AND ITS ZERO WASTE COMMISSION

HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
HOORAY FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY
AND ITS ZERO WASTE COMMISSION

18. When I Was Most Beautiful
Words by Noriko Ibaragi (1957). Music by Pete Seeger (1967). TRO - © 1968 (renewed) & 1970 (renewed) Melody Trails, Inc.

When I was most beautiful,
Cities were falling
And from unexpected places
Blue sky was seen
When I was most beautiful
People around me were killed
And for paint and powder I lost the chance

When I was most beautiful
Nobody gave me kind gifts.
Men knew only to salute
And went away.
When I was most beautiful
My country lost the war
I paraded the main street
With my blouse sleeves rolled high

When I was most beautiful
Jazz overflowed the radio;
I broke the prohibition against smoking;
Sweet music of another land!
When I was most beautiful
I was most unhappy
I was quite absurd
I was quite lonely

That’s why I decided to live long
Like Monsieur Rouault,
Who was a
Very old man,
When he painted such terribly beautiful pictures,
You see . . . ?

19. Bach at Treblinka
Poem (“Ode to a Composer”) by Yuri Suhl (1973). Music by Pete Seeger (1983). TRO - © 1973 Jewish Currents & 1993 Melody Trails, Inc.

You’re one of us now, Johann,
You’re one of us now.
Your statues stand but you,
Chained in your own score
With me and many more,
Dragged here to Treblinka,
Dragged here to Treblinka,
Where murder and music,
Where murder and music
Go hand in hand.

20. We Will Love or We Will Perish
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach (1716). Words by Pete Seeger (1989). © 1993 Stormking Music, Inc.

We will love or we will perish.
We will learn the rainbow to cherish.

Dare to struggle, dare to danger,
Dare to touch the hand of a stranger.

22. Tzena, Tzena, Tzena
Music by Issachar Miron (1939). English lyrics by Gordon Jenkins (1950), with one line altered by Pete Seeger. Original Hebrew lyrics by Yehiel Haggiz, new Arabic lyrics by Salman Natour. © 1998 Issachar Miron/EMI Mills Music, Inc.

Zeina, Zeina, Zeina, Zeina (Arabic version):

Zeina, zeina, zeina, zeina,
Dabkeh nihdbek nurkus hora
Bleilet twa adna.
Yalla ma’ana, rudu ma’ana
Rudu ma’ana, rudu ma’ana
Ghrannu ya ah-bab.
Zeina, zeina, dabkeh nihdbek yalla.
Nurkus hora ya as-ha-a-a-ab.
Yalla ma’ana, yalla rudu ma’ana
Ah-lan bikom ya as-hab!
Zeina, zeina, zeina, zeina . . .

Literal translation of Arabic version:

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
We dance the Dabkeh, we dance the hora
One night we have a get-together
Come on, let’s go, let’s go, come on
Repeat with us, sing with us, oh beloved
Beautiful, beautiful, let us dance the dabkeh, dance the hora, oh friends.
Come on with us, repeat with us.
Welcome, oh friends.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful . . .
 
Tsenna, Tsenna, Tsenna, Tsenna (Hebrew version):

Tsenna, Tsenna, Tsenna, Tsenna
Habanot urenna Khaverim, ba’im la’ir.
Alna, alna, alna, alna, Alna titkhabenna,
Umizor yakhdav nashir.
Tsenna, tsenna, Habanot urenna, Khaverim, ba’im la’ir.
Alna, alna, Alna titkhabenna, Umizor yakhdav nashir.
Tsenna, Tsenna, Tsenna . . .

Literal translation of Hebrew version:

Come out, come out, girls
See friends in the village
Don’t be, don’t be shy
Let’s sing and dance,
All of us together!
Come out, come out, come out . . .

Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena (English version):

Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena,
Can’t you hear the music playing
In the city square?
Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena,
Come where all our friends will find us
With the dancers there.

Tzena, Tzena! Join the celebration.
There’ll be people there from every nation.
Dawn will find us laughing in the sunlight,
Dancing in the city square.

Tzena, Tzena, (CLAP), Come and dance the hora.
Dance the dabkeh. All of us will dance together.
Tzena, Tzena, (CLAP), When the band is playing,
My heart’s saying, “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena!”

25. Or Else! (One-a These Days)
Words by Pete Seeger, David Bernz and A.N. Onymous. Music by Pete Seeger (2006). © Sanga Music Inc.

Chorus:
One-a these days (ONE-A THESE DAYS)
One-a these days (ONE-A THESE DAYS)
One-a these days, one-a these days
OR ELSE!

Our school will get the money it needs for smaller classes,
And the Navy will hold a bake sale to build a battleship.

(Chorus)

And Johnny will get the money he needs for that operation,
And the Air Force will hold a raffle to buy a bomber.

(Chorus)

And every vote will be counted in every election,
And the winners will always keep all of their promises.

(Chorus)

And around the world we’ll learn each other’s languages
And the very first thing we’ll learn is how to listen.
(spoken)  “Who knows the word for ‘hello’ in some other language?”
(spoken responses of “hello” in several languages)

(Chorus)

God only knows what the future will be
God only knows what the future will be
But God gave us brains
He meant us to use ’em

(Chorus x 2)

26. Waist Deep in the Big Muddy
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1967). TRO - © 1967 (renewed) Melody Trails, Inc.

It was back in nineteen forty-two,
I was a member of a good platoon,
We were on maneuvers in-a Loozianna,
One night by the light of the moon.
   The captain told us to ford a river,
   That’s how it all begun.
   We were knee deep in the Big Muddy,
   But the big fool said to push on.

The sergeant said, “Sir, are you sure,
This is the best way back to the base?”
“Sergeant, go on! I forded this river
’Bout a mile above this place.
   It’ll be a little soggy but just keep slogging.
   We’ll soon be on dry ground.”
   We were waist deep in the Big Muddy
   And the big fool said to push on.

The sergeant said, “Sir, with all this equipment
No man will be able to swim.”
“Sergeant, don’t be a Nervous Nellie,”
The captain said to him.
   “All we need is a little determination;
   Men, follow me, I’ll lead on.”
   We were neck deep in the Big Muddy
   And the big fool said to push on.

All at once, the moon clouded over,
We heard a gurgling cry.
A few seconds later, the captain’s helmet
Was all that floated by.
   The sergeant said, “Turn around, men!”
   I’m in charge from now on.”
   And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
   With the captain dead and gone.

We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn’t know the water was deeper
Than the place he’d once before seen.
   Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
   ’Bout a half mile from where we’d gone.
   We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
   When the big fool said to push on.

Well, I’m not going to point any moral;
I’ll leave that for yourself.
Maybe you’re still walking, you’re still talking,
You’d like to keep your health.
   But every time I read the papers
   That old feeling comes on;
   We’re waist deep in the Big Muddy and the
   Big fool says to push on.

Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on,
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
   Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
   Tall man’ll be over his head, we’re
   Waist deep in the Big Muddy!
   And the big fool says to push on!

27. Little Fat Baby
Music and Words to first verse by Pete Seeger (1982). Words to second and third verse by David Bernz (circa 1992), last verse by Pete Seeger and David Bernz (circa 1992). © 1993 Sanga Music, Inc.

Someday, you’ll be able to walk
Someday, you’ll be able to talk
No more diapers, you will wear pants
You’ll be able to sing and dance
And then, oh then, oh then, oh then
I’ll wish I had that little fat baby
In my arms again

Someday, you’re going to be fully grown
Someday, you will be leaving this home
No more clamoring up the stair
No more clothes strewn everywhere
And then, oh then, oh then, oh then
I’ll wish I had that tough teenager
In my arms again

Someday, you’ll have a child of your own
Someday, you’ll know the things that I’ve known
And grandmother will help you through
As your child grows as all children do
And then, oh then, oh then, oh then
You’ll wish you had your little fat baby
In your arms again

Someday, we will be saying so long
Someday, it’ll be time for me to move on
No more discussions over a glass of beer
No more generation gaps appear
And then, oh then, oh then, oh then
You’ll wish you had your dear sweet papa
In your arms again

Someday, you’ll be able to walk
Someday, you’ll be able to talk
No more will you poop in your pants
You’ll be able to sing and dance
And then, oh then, oh then, oh then
I’ll wish I had that little fat baby
In my arms again

28. Arrange and Re-arrange
Words and Music by Pete Seeger (1997). © Sanga Music, Inc.

Early in the morning, I first see the sun,
I say a little prayer for the world.
I hope all the little children live a long, long time
Yes, every little boy and little girl.
I hope they learn to laugh at the way
Some precious old words do seem to change,
’Cause that’s what life is all about:
To arrange and re-arrange and re-arrange.

(Chorus) 
Oh-wee, oh-wye, to re-arrange and re-arrange and re-arrange.
Oh-wee, oh-wye, to re-arrange and re-arrange and re-arrange.

Early in the mornin’ I’m a-carrying the sap
And I say a little prayer for the maple.
Like old Mama Quad, on the northwest slope,
I’ll protect her ’long as I am able.
She gives me more sap year after year,
Than any single other tree,
So bring on the pancakes! Here’s to Mama Quad!
May she live for another century.

(Chorus)

Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night
And rub my achin’ old eyes.
Is that a voice from inside-a my head
Or does it come down from the skies?
“There’s a time to laugh but there’s a time to weep,
And a time to make a big change.”
Wake-up-you-bum-the-time-has-come
To arrange and re-arrange and re-arrange.

(Chorus)

Maybe the biggest change will come
When we don’t have to change much at all.
When maniacs holler, “GROW, GROW, GROW!”
We can chose to stay small.
The key word may be “little.”
We only have to change a little bit.
So eat a little food, drink a little drink;
And only have to . . . (sigh)

(repeat first verse)

(Chorus x 2)

29. Alleluya
(Traditional)

Alleluja, Alleluja.
Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.
Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.

31. If This World Survives
Words by Malvina Reynolds (1972), Music by Pete Seeger (2007). © 2007 Schroder Music Co.

If this world survives
And every other day I think it might
In good part it will be
Because of the great souls in our community.

There are a lot of them
I’ve seen them walk
In lonely thousands down a city’s streets
Or hand out leaflets in the rain
Or turn the handle of a print machine
Or empty their pockets as the plate comes by
Or gaze into the camera’s eye.

And answer the question:
“Will the world survive?”
And they have said
“We’ll try. We’ll try. We’ll try.”)