Great Bend Chorale

Music in the Park Singalong!

The Great Bend Chorale is an award-winning, non-audition ensemble known for its inspiring performances, from beloved masterworks to new and under-recognized gems. Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or haven’t sung in years, you’ll find friendship, growth, and the exhilaration of creating something extraordinary together.

 

Come lend your voice—you belong here.

set list

Click on a song to jump to the lyrics!

LYRICS

Sweet Caroline

Where it beganI can’t begin to know whenBut then I know it’s growin’ strong
Was in the springAnd spring became the summerWho’d have believe you’d come along?
HandsTouchin’ handsReachin’ outTouching me, touchin’ you
Sweet CarolineGood times never seemed so goodI’ve been inclinedTo believe they never would
But now I look at the nightAnd it don’t seem so lonelyWe fill it up with only two
And when I hurtHurtin’ runs off my shouldersHow can I hurt when holdin’ you?
WarmTouchin’ warmReachin’ outTouchin’ me, touchin’ you
Sweet CarolineGood times never seemed so goodI’ve been inclinedTo believe they never would, oh, no, no
Sweet CarolineGood times never seemed so goodSweet CarolineI believe they never couldSweet Caroline

Piano Man

[Verse 1]
It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There’s an old man sittin’ next to me
Makin’ love to his tonic and gin
He says, “Son, can you play me a memory?
I’m not really sure how it goes
But it’s sad, and it’s sweet, and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man’s clothes”

[Refrain]
La, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum

[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

[Verse 2]
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke
But there’s someplace that he’d rather be
He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me”
As the smile ran away from his face
“Well, I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place”

[Refrain]
Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum

[Verse 3]
Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he’s talkin’ with Davy, who’s still in the navy
And probably will be for life
And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it’s better than drinkin’ alone

[Piano Solo]

[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

[Verse 4]
It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see
To forget about life for a while
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”

[Refrain]
Oh, la, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum

[Chorus]
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

Brown-Eyed Girl

[Verse 1]
Hey, where did we go?
Days when the rains came
Down in the hollow
Playin’ a new game
Laughin’ and a-runnin’, hey, hey
Skippin’ and a jumpin’
In the misty morning fog with
Our, our hearts a thumpin’

[Refrain]
And you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

[Verse 2]
Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow?
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio
Standing in the sunlight laughing
Hiding behind a rainbow’s wall
Slipping and sliding
All along the waterfall

[Refrain]
With you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

[Chorus]
Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da?
Just like that
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da
La-tee-da

[Verse 3]
So hard to find my way
Now that I’m all on my own
I saw you just the other day
My, how you have grown
Cast my memory back there, Lord
Sometimes I’m overcome thinking about
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium

[Refrain]
With you, my brown-eyed girl
You, my brown-eyed girl

[Outro]
Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da? (Lyin’ on the green grass)
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da (Bit by bit by bit by bit by bit by bit)
(Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da-la-tee-da-la-tee-da)
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da (Da da da da da da da da da da da)
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-tee-da

Take Me Home Country Roads

Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

All my memories gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

I hear her voice in the mornin’ hour, she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
Drivin’ down the road, I get a feelin’
That I should’ve been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

Take me home, (down) country roads
Take me home, (down) country roads

Sunshine on My Shoulders

[Chorus]
Sunshine
On my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes
Can make me cry
Sunshine on the water
Looks so lovely
Sunshine
Almost always makes me high

[Verse 1]
If I had a day
That I could give you
I’d give to you
The day just like today
If I had a song
That I could sing for you
I’d sing a song
To make you feel this way

[Chorus]
Sunshine
On my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes
Can make me cry
Sunshine on the water
Looks so lovely
Sunshine
Almost always makes me high​

[Verse 2]
If I had a tale
That I could tell you
I’d tell a tale
Sure to make you smile
If I had a wish
That I could wish for you
I’d make a wish
For sunshine for all the while

[Chorus]
Sunshine
On my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes
Can make me cry
Sunshine on the water
Looks so lovely
Sunshine
Almost always makes me high

[Outro]
Sunshine
Almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine
Almost always….

Leaving On a Jet Plane

All my bags are packedReady to goI’m standin’ here outside your doorI hate to wake you up to say goodbyeBut the dawn is breakin’It’s early mornThe taxi’s waitin’He’s blowin’ his hornAlready I’m so lonesomeI could die
So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you’ll wait for meHold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet planeDon’t know when I’ll be back againOh babe, I hate to go
There’s so many times I’ve let you downSo many times I’ve played aroundAnd I tell you now, they don’t mean a thingEvery place I go, I’ll think of youEvery song I sing, I’ll sing for youWhen I come back, I’ll bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you’ll wait for meHold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet planeDon’t know when I’ll be back againOh babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave youOne more timeLet me kiss youclose your eyesI’ll be on my wayDream about days to comeWhen I won’t have to leave aloneAbout the times, I won’t have to say
Oh, kiss me and smile for meTell me that you’ll wait for meHold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet planeDon’t know when I’ll be back againOh babe, I hate to go
But, I’m leavin’ on a jet planeDon’t know when I’ll be back againOh babe, I hate to go

Music & Early Learning!

   

Sound Scholars™ is Great Bend’s early learning program that uses music to build kindergarten readiness – offered at no cost to participating families in English, Spanish and Mam!

Click Here to Learn More!

Lean On Me

[Verse 1]
Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

[Chorus]
Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

[Verse 2]
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill
Those of your needs
That you won’t let show

[Refrain]
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

[Chorus]
Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

[Refrain]
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

[Verse 3]
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me

[Outro]
(Call me) If you need a friend
(Call me) Call me, uhuh uhuh
(Call me) If you need a friend
(Call me) If you ever need a friend
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) If you need a friend
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me) Call me
(Call me)

Stand By Me

[Verse 1]
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

[Chorus]
So darlin’, darlin’, stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand
Stand by me, stand by me

[Verse 2]
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

[Chorus]
And darlin’, darlin’, stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Woah, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me

[Interlude]

[Chorus]
Darlin’, darlin’, stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me

[Outro]
Whenever you’re in trouble, won’t you stand by me?
Oh, stand by me
Woah, just stand now
Oh, stand, stand by me

Hallelujah

[Verse 1]
Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing “Hallelujah”

[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

[Verse 2]
Your faith was strong, but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

[Verse 3]
You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well, really, what’s it to ya?
There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

[Verse 4]
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool ya
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah

[Chorus]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

[Outro]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Margaritaville

[Verse 1]
Nibblin’ on sponge cake, watchin’ the sun bake
All of those tourists covered with oil
Strummin’ my six-string on my front porch swing
Smell those shrimp, they’re beginnin’ to boil

[Chorus]
Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
But I know it’s nobody’s fault

[Verse 2]
Don’t know the reason I stayed here all season
Nothin’ to show but this brand new tattoo
But it’s a real beauty, a Mexican cutie
How it got here I haven’t a clue

[Chorus]
Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
Now I think, hell, it could be my fault

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
I blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop top
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home
But there’s booze in the blender and soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

[Chorus]
Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
But I know it’s my own damn fault

[Outro]
Yes, and some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
And I know it’s my own damn fault

 

Wonderwall

[Verse 1]
Today is gonna be the day
That they’re gonna throw it back to you
By now, you should’ve somehow
Realised what you gotta do
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

[Verse 2]
Backbeat, the word is on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I’m sure you’ve heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

[Pre-Chorus]
And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don’t know how

[Chorus]
Because maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall

[Verse 3]
Today was gonna be the day
But they’ll never throw it back to you
By now, you should’ve somehow
Realised what you’re not to do
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

[Pre-Chorus]
And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don’t know how

[Chorus]
I said maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall
I said maybe (I said maybe)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall

[Outro]
I said maybe (I said maybe)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (That saves me)

Here Comes the Sun

[Chorus]
Here comes the sun (Doo-d-doo-doo)
Here comes the sun
And I say, “It’s all right”

[Verse 1]
Little darling
It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years since it’s been here

[Chorus]
Here comes the sun (Doo-d-doo-doo)
Here comes the sun
And I say, “It’s all right”

[Verse 2]
Little darling
The smile’s returning to the faces
Little darling
It seems like years since it’s been here

[Chorus]
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say, “It’s all right”

[Bridge]
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

[Verse 3]
Little darling
I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling
It seems like years since it’s been clear

[Chorus]
Here comes the sun (Doo-d-doo-doo)
Here comes the sun
And I say, “It’s all right”
Here comes the sun (Doo-d-doo-doo)
Here comes the sun
It’s all right
It’s all right

Yesterday

[Verse 1]
Yesterday
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday

[Verse 2]
Suddenly
I’m not half the man I used to be
There’s a shadow hanging over me
Oh, yesterday came suddenly

[Bridge]
Why she had to go
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say
I said something wrong
Now I long for yesterday

[Verse 3]
Yesterday
Love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

[Bridge]
Why she had to go
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say
I said something wrong
Now I long for yesterday

[Verse 3]
Yesterday
Love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

[Outro]
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm, hmm-hmm

 

Everyone is Welcome!

Even though they are both award-winning community ensembles, the Great Bend Chorale and Youth Chorale are both non-auditioned in order to make both choirs as welcoming as possible!

Click Here to learn more!

Let It Be

[Verse 1]
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be

[Chorus]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

[Verse 2]
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be

In My Life

[Verse 1: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain (Ooh, ooh, ooh)

[Bridge: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

[Verse 2: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new (Ooh, ooh, ooh)

[Bridge: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

[Piano Solo]

[Bridge: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

[Outro: John Lennon]
In my life, I love you more

 

Hey Jude

[Verse 1]
Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

[Verse 2]
Hey, Jude, don’t be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

[Bridge]
And anytime you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain
Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na

[Verse 3]
Hey, Jude, don’t let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
(Let it out and let it in)
Remember (Hey, Jude) to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

[Bridge]
So let it out and let it in, hey, Jude, begin
You’re waiting for someone to perform with
And don’t you know that it’s just you, hey, Jude, you’ll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, yeah

[Verse 4]
Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you’ll begin to make it (Woah, fucking hell!)
Better, better, better, better, better, better, oh

[Outro]
Yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(Jude, Judy, Judy, Judy, Judy, Judy, ow-wow)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (Na-na-na), na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (Yeah, yeah, yeah), na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(You know you can make, Jude, Jude, you’re not gonna break it)
Na-na (Don’t make it bad, Jude) na-na-na-na-na (Take a sad song and make it better), na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Hey, Jude, hey, Jude wow
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (Make it, Jude), na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
(Go listen to ya ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, Jude

When I’m 64

[Verse 1]
When I get older, losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four?

[Bridge]
Oooh, you’ll be older too (Aaaah)
And if you say the word
I could stay with you

[Verse 2]
I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four?

[Bridge]
Every summer, we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear
We shall scrimp and save (We shall scrimp and save)
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck, and Dave

[Verse 3]
Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four? Woo

 

I’m Yours

[Verse 1]
Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill, but you’re so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now, I’m trying to get back
Before the cool done run out, I’ll be giving it my bestest
And nothing’s gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it’s again my turn
To win some or learn some

[Chorus]
But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I’m yours

[Post-Chorus]
Mm, mm

[Verse 2]
Well, open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and, damn, you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find
Love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing
We’re just one big family
And it’s our godforsaken right to be
Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved

[Chorus]
So I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate, our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

[Bridge]
Do you want to come on
Scootch on over closer, dear
And I will nibble your ear
Woah, oh-oh
Woah, oh, oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, ah-ha
Mhm

[Verse 3]
I’ve been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be saying is there ain’t no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It’s what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

[Chorus]
But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I’m yours

[Outro]
Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won’t hesitate)
Open up your plans and, damn, you’re free (No more, no more)
Look into your heart and you’ll find that (It cannot wait)
The sky is yours (I’m sure)
So please don’t, please don’t, please don’t (No need to complicate)
There’s no need to complicate (Our time is short)
‘Cause our time is short (This is our fate)
This, oh, this, oh, this is our fate
I’m yours, ah
Oh, I’m yours
Oh, oh, I’m yours
Oh, woah
Baby, do believe I’m yours
You best believe, you best believe I’m yours
Mhm, mhm

 

Hotel California

[Verse 1]
On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night

[Verse 2]
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinkin’ to myself
“This could be Heaven or this could be Hell”
Then she lit up a candle
And she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them say

[Chorus]
“Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here”

[Verse 3]
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted
She got the Mercedes Benz, uh
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys
That she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forget

[Verse 4]
So I called up the Captain
“Please bring me my wine”
He said, “We haven’t had that spirit here
Since 1969″
And still those voices are callin’
From far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say

[Chorus]
“Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin’ it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (What a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis”

[Verse 5]
Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice, and she said
“We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device”
And in the master’s chambers
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can’t kill the beast

[Verse 6]
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
“Relax,” said the night man
“We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave”

[Guitar Solo]

 

We Shall Overcome

[Verse 1]
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

[Verse 2]
We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand some day

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

[Verse 3]
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace some day

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

[Verse 4]
We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free some day

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

[Verse 5]
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid today

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

[Verse 1]
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day

[Refrain]
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

 

Sloop John B

[Verse 1: Brian Wilson]
We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinkin’ all night
Got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

[Chorus: Brian Wilson & Mike Love]
So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

[Verse 2: Mike Love]
The first mate, he got drunk
And broke in the captain’s trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don’t you leave me alone? Yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home

[Chorus: Whole Group]
So hoist up the John B’s sail (Hoist up the John B’s sail)
See how the mainsail sets (See how the mainsail sets)
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home
Let me go home (Hoist up the John B’s sail)
Hoist up the John B (Hoist up the John B)
I feel so broke up
I wanna go home, let me go home

[Verse 3: Brian Wilson, Mike Love]
The poor cook, he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don’t they let me go home?
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on

[Chorus: All]
So hoist up the John B’s sail (Hoist up the John B’s sail)
See how the mainsail sets (See how the mainsail sets)
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home
Let me go home

 

Music & Early Learning!

   

Sound Scholars™ is Great Bend’s early learning program that uses music to build kindergarten readiness – offered at no cost to participating families in English, Spanish and Mam!

Click Here to Learn More!

I Can See Clearly Now

[Verse 1]
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day

[Verse 2]
I think I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (Bright), bright sun shiny day

[Bridge]
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies

[Verse 3]
I can see clearly now; the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day

 

What the World Needs Now

[Chorus]
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone

[Verse 1]
Lord, we don’t need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last until the end of time

[Chorus]
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone

[Verse 2]
Lord, we don’t need another meadow
There are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
Oh, listen Lord, if You want to know

[Chorus]
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, everyone

One Love

[Chorus]
One love, one heart
Let’s get together and feel alright
Hear the children cryin’ (One love)
Hear the children cryin’ (One heart)
Sayin’, “Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright”
Sayin’, “Let’s get together and feel alright, woah-woah-woah-woah”

[Verse 1]
Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One love)
There is one question I’d really love to ask (One heart)
Is there a place for the hopeless sinners
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?

[Chorus]
One love (What about the one heart?), one heart (What about the—)
Let’s get together and feel alright (As it was in the beginning)
One love (So shall it be in the end), one heart (Alright)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright
Let’s get together and feel alright, one more thing

[Verse 2]
Let’s get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (One love)
So when the Man comes, there will be no, no doom (One song)
Have pity on those whose chances grows thinner
There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation, singing

[Chorus]
One love (What about the one heart?), one heart (What about the—)
Let’s get together and feel alright (I’m pleadin’ to mankind)
One love (Oh, Lord), one heart (Woah)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright
Let’s get together and feel alright
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright
Let’s get together and feel alright

 

Three Little Birds

[Chorus]
Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”

[Verse 1]
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true
Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou”

[Chorus]
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing” (Don’t worry)
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”

[Verse 2]
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true
Saying, “This is my message to you-ou-ou”

[Chorus]
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing” (Worry ’bout a thing, oh)
“Every little thing gonna be alright” (Don’t worry)
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing” (I won’t worry)
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright” (I won’t worry)
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright”
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing” (Don’t worry ’bout a thing)
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”

American Pie

[Verse 1]
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

[Chorus]
So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 2]
Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock ‘n’ roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

[Chorus]
I started singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 3]
Now, for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone
But that’s not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

[Chorus]
We were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 4]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and fallin’ fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
‘Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

[Chorus]
We started singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 5]
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the Devil’s only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

[Chorus]
He was singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Bridge]
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

[Deleted Verse]
And there I stood alone and afraid
I dropped to my knees and there I prayed
And I promised Him everything I could give
If only He would make the music live
And He promised it would live once more
But this time one would equal four
And in five years four had come to mourn
And the music was reborn

[Chorus]
And they were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Outro]
They were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die”

 

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Everywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Everywhere I go
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Deep inside my heart
I’m gonna let it shine
Deep inside my heart
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

All around my friends
I’m gonna let it shine
All around my friends
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

 

On Top of Spaghetti

On top of spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
I lost my poor meatball,
When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,
And on to the floor,
And then my poor meatball,
Rolled out of the door.

It rolled in the garden,
And under a bush,
And then my poor meatball,
Was nothing but mush.

The mush was as tasty
As tasty could be,
And then the next summer,
It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,
All covered with moss,
And on it grew meatballs,
And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Whenever you sneeze.

American Pie

[Verse 1]
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

[Chorus]
So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 2]
Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock ‘n’ roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

[Chorus]
I started singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 3]
Now, for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone
But that’s not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

[Chorus]
We were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 4]
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and fallin’ fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
‘Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

[Chorus]
We started singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Verse 5]
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
‘Cause fire is the Devil’s only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

[Chorus]
He was singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Bridge]
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play
And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

[Deleted Verse]
And there I stood alone and afraid
I dropped to my knees and there I prayed
And I promised Him everything I could give
If only He would make the music live
And He promised it would live once more
But this time one would equal four
And in five years four had come to mourn
And the music was reborn

[Chorus]
And they were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die
This’ll be the day that I die”

[Outro]
They were singin’ bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “This’ll be the day that I die”

 

Home on the Range

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Chorus Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Where the air is so pure, and the zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange my home on the range,
For all of the cities so bright.

The Red man was pressed from this part of the west,
He’s likely no more to return,
To the banks of the Red River where seldom if ever
Their flickering campfires burn.

How often at night when the heavens are bright,
With the light from the glittering stars,
Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed,
If their glory exceeds that of ours.

Oh, I love these wild flowers in this dear land of ours,
The curlew I love to hear cry,
And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks,
That graze on the mountain slopes high.

Oh give me a land where the bright diamond sand,
Flows leisurely down in the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along,
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.

Then I would not exchange my home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

 

This Land is Your Land

[Verse 1]
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me

[Verse 1]
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
Saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me

[Verse 2]
I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
All around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

[Verse 3]
As the sun was shining, and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
A voice come chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me

[Chorus]
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

 

Over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dreams that you dream of, once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where trouble melts like lemon drops,
High above the chimney top,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to
Why, oh why can’t I?
I see trees of green, red roses too
I watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue, and I see clouds of white
The brightness of day, I like the dark
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shakin’ hands, sayin’ ‘How do you do?’
They’re really say I, I love you
I hear babies cryin’, and I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than we’ll know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where trouble melts like lemon drops,
High above the chimney top,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
And the dream that you dare to
Why, oh why can’t I?