- Ode to a Leader
- (same tune as "Battle Hymn of the Republic")
Thanks to Christy Moyes for posting this song to the
WAGGGS-L Mailing List!
- I was glad to have a daughter 'cause our first child
was a son,
- I thought of all the ruffles, all the frilly bows and
fun,
- I thought of how we'd sit and talk at night when day
was done,
- Wasn't I the foolish one?
She was only turning six when they called me to the force,
- I said, "I'm not equipped." They said, "Oh
yes you are, what's more,
- We'll train you in the basics; we'll outfit you for the
corps."
- Then they shoved me out the door!
Chorus:
- Glory, glory I'm a leader
- How'd I get to be a leader?
- All I did was have a daughter,
- Is this the price I pay?
- They taught me to be thrifty, to be thoughtful, to be
true,
- They taught me to string beads like the noble Indians
do.
- I had to learn to dig a trench and how to use it too!
- And you should taste the stew!
I had to learn to sing songs that I didn't understand.
- I learned to dance the polka and to make a rhythm band,
- To think of what to do and forget what I had planned,
- Oh isn't Scouting grand?
Chorus:
- Glory, glory I'm a leader
- Me they had to make a leader,
- I can't even build a fire,
- Let alone put up a tent!
- We went walking in the woodland, my Girl Scout troop
and me,
- The handbook says that nature has a wealth of sights
to see,
- It's true we sure were sights, when they found us eventually!
- And I do this for free!
I'm not meant to be a leader: I don't know which bird is
which.
- My hot dog sticks all burned; we come home from hikes
and itch.
- The sit-upons all fell apart, I showed the wrong stitch,
- But no one wants to switch!
Chorus:
- Glory, glory I'm a leader
- Hallelujah I'm a leader!
- Tell me why I should be happy,
- My dinner's always late!
- But even though I grumble and I mumble and I shout,
- Though there are days I wonder, "What is the best
way out?"
- I guess when all is said and done, there isn't any doubt,
- I'm glad to be a Scout!
Chorus:
- Glory, glory I'm a leader,
- Someone's got to be a leader.
- They can carve it on my tombstone,
- "Here's a girl who did her best!"