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You have selected: CATERPILLAR (words by Walter Farquharson) from the Ron Klusmeier Anthology. Subscribers may download arrangements using the links in the right hand column.

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Lyrics and Author/Composer Comments are below.

CATERPILLAR OP1

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Lyrics:

Caterpillar, pillar-cat,
cat gets fat and eats a rat.
Caterpiggle, squirm and wiggle,
cater-pillage — munch the village.
Catter, catter, catter, cat,
hump your way across my mat.
Catter, catter, catter, cat,
hump your way across my mat.

Play with words and play with words,
play like you shouldn’t oughter.
It’s fun to play with funny words
the way we play, play in water.
Splash them here, splash them there
on your feet and in your hair.
Splash them here, splash them there
on your feet and in your hair.

Words like water trickle, drip,
drip a drop that goes kerplop!
Trip a trickle, pick a pickle,
smash your foot with big swish slop!
You oughter play, you otter play,
all otters play in water.
You oughter play, you otter play,
all otters play in water.

God gives words and things to say,
minds to think and games to play;
gives us words to say to friends,
words for ends and beginnings.
Thank you, God, for all you give:
lots of laughter, love to live.
Thank you, God, for all you give:
lots of laughter, love to live.

Oh, thank you, God, for all you give:
lots of laughter, love to live.
Thank you, God, for helping me
make it all the way to Amen!

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Author / Composer Comments

From Ron & Walter’s “Just Like Salt” collection:

This is a fun song inviting play with, and on, words. Children will immediately pick up on some word plays, while they may enjoy having others (like otter – oughter) pointed out to them. It is a tongue twister and will probably need listening to or singing a few times before actually presenting it or beginning to study what the song is saying. Children, as well as older people, should be encouraged to have fun with it.

The importance of words in the Bible story is clear. The Book of Genesis tells us that God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.

The prophets spoke God’s word to the people, often getting their attention by using ‘play’ on words or sounds. Many of these are lost in translation. For example, Jeremiah 1:11-12 only makes sense if one knows that the Hebrew word for “an almond bush” and for “watch out, be alert” sound alike.

Often, names of places and people in the Bible are a reflection of experience or are a play on words. Peter means “rock”, Jesus (Joshua) means “saviour”, Isaac means “laughter, Bethel is “house of God”, Massah means “proof”. John tells us that Jesus is God’s Word to us and all people (John 1). As God’s love fills us, we also become God’s word, God’s communication. This gives meaning to such biblical phrases as “The Word of God dwells in you richly” (Colossians 3: 16-17). James tells us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers of it (James 1:22).

God’s affirming Word is Love and that word is one of joy and laughter. Those who have had little cause to celebrate before, find that they are given a new life.

We celebrate God as the giver of laughter. Certainly, Jesus used humour when he taught. Think about the camel going through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:23-26). The early church gathered together with gladness. Laughter is never far away from happy people! (Acts 2:46-47) Laughter can bring healing even into situations which are desperate. If we are friends of God, reflections of God’s intentions, then we too can be givers of laughter.

Also see GIVE TO US LAUGHTER.

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