Eastern Orthodox camp songs

Father Orthoduck grew up in by a quiet pond in the woods, and thus has a particular fondness for people who want to take church kids to camp in the summer. And, camp season is almost here. Some school systems will let out at the end of this month, in some parts of the country. Ah, yes, it brings back memories of singing camp songs by the pond. For instance, who can forget:

Little Black Things

[Tune: Clementine]

Chorus:

• Little black things, little black things,
• Crawling up and down my arms.
• If I wait ’til they have babies,
• I could start a black thing farm.

• Haven’t taken a bath in two weeks,
• And I never change my clothes.
• I have got these little black things,
• Where they come from heaven knows.

• Once a cute boy(girl) tried to kiss me,
• But (s)he jumped and gave a yell,
• And I never got to ask him(her),
• Was it the black things or the smell.

But, Father Orthoduck was not an orthoduck back then. So, I thought I would fly over to the computer to Googleâ„¢ some Eastern Orthodox camp songs, and . . . there are none. Father Orthoduck could find para-liturgical hymns, but nothing resembling an actual camp song. What he did find was that either typical American camp songs were used or typical American camp songs had their lyrics altered to fit the situation. There is no tradition of Orthodox camp songs that I could find.

So, let’s all follow American tradition as we get ready for camp season. OK, everyone! Let’s intertwine feathers and sway softly. Now sing:

Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
O Lord, kumbaya