You’re packing for a trip and a tune gets stuck in your head. It’s that classic, simple melody about going camping. Let’s talk about the ‘A Camping We Will Go’ song. It’s more than just a ditty; it’s a piece of camping culture that connects generations around the fire. This article is your guide to everything about this song—its history, its lyrics, and how to make it a fun part of your next outdoor adventure.
A Camping We Will Go
This song feels like it’s always existed, doesn’t it? Its simple, repetitive structure makes it easy for kids to learn and for groups to sing together, even if no one remembers all the words. It’s the unofficial anthem for loading the car, setting up a tent, and enjoying the simple joys of the outdoors. The song creates a shared experience, a little thread of tradition that ties your trip to countless others.
The Origins and History of the Camping Song
Pinpointing the exact origin of “A Camping We Will Go” is tricky. It’s a folk song, passed down through singing rather than sheet music. Most historians agree it’s an American variant of an older English folk song called “The Lincolnshire Poacher.” That tune was a drinking song from the 1700s. Over time, the lyrics shifted from tales of poaching to the more family-friendly theme of camping.
It really gained popularity in the 20th century with the rise of organized youth groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Scout leaders used it as a simple, energetic song for campfires and hikes. From there, it spread into general camping culture, becoming a staple in many families. It’s a perfect example of how folk music evolves to fit the times.
The Complete Lyrics and Variations
One of the charms of this song is its flexibility. The core verses are consistent, but many creative variations exist. Here are the most common, traditional verses you’re likely to hear.
- Oh, a camping we will go, a camping we will go!
- Hi-ho the derry-o, a camping we will go.
- We’ll pitch our tent upon the ground, we’ll pitch our tent upon the ground.
- Hi-ho the derry-o, we’ll pitch our tent upon the ground.
The pattern continues with different actions. You can insert almost any camping activity. Common next verses include:
- We’ll build a fire bright and red… (or ‘so tall’ or ‘so red’)
- We’ll cook our hot dogs on a stick…
- We’ll tell some stories spooky now…
- We’ll climb into our sleeping bags…
- The mosquitos they will bite…
See how it works? The second and fourth lines repeat the action, and the first and third lines set the rhyme. This structure is what makes it so easy for everyone to join in, even if they’re hearing it for the first time.
Making Up Your Own Funny Verses
This is where the real fun begins. Creating your own verses is a great campfire activity. It gets everyone laughing and thinking about the day’s events. The formula is simple: just describe something that happened or could happen on your trip.
- We’ll try to start the fire again… (if you had trouble)
- The raccoons they found our cooler…
- We’ll hike until our feet are sore…
- My air mattress it has a leak…
Encourage everyone, especially kids, to come up with a line. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The sillier, the better. This personalization makes the song uniquely yours and creates lasting memories of that specific trip.
How to Teach the Song to Kids (and Adults!)
Teaching “A Camping We Will Go” is incredibly straightforward because it’s designed to be learned by ear. Here’s a simple step-by-step method.
- Start with the Chorus: Sing the main “Oh, a camping we will go…” part a few times. Have everyone just echo “Hi-ho the derry-o” after you. It’s the catchiest bit.
- Introduce One Verse: Pick a simple verse like “We’ll pitch our tent upon the ground.” Sing it slowly, line by line, and have the group repeat each line.
- Put It Together: Sing the chorus, then your one verse, then the chorus again. Repeat this cycle a few times so the structure feels familiar.
- Add More Actions: Once they’ve got the hang of it, add a new verse. Relate it to what you’re doing—”We’ll unpack the sleeping bags” while you’re doing just that.
- Pass the Torch: Ask for ideas for the next verse. Let someone else lead the next round with their creative line.
Remember, the goal is participation, not a perfect performance. If people forget the words, just laugh and keep singing the chorus. The energy is what counts.
Incorporating the Song into Your Camping Activities
This song isn’t just for the campfire. You can use it throughout your trip to build anticipation and add a rhythm to your tasks. It turns chores into fun.
While Setting Up Camp
As you arrive and start unpacking, sing verses about the tasks at hand. It keeps the mood light, especially if setup is taking awhile or there’s a little frustration.
- “We’ll unload the car right now…”
- “We’ll hammer in these tent pegs…”
- “This pole it doesn’t fit I see…”
During a Hike
Singing on the trail is a fantastic way to maintain pace and morale. The steady rhythm of the song can match your walking speed. It also makes your presence known to wildlife (which is a good safety practice in bear country).
- “A hiking we will go…” (change the first word!)
- “We’ll climb this big hill now…”
- “We’ll spot a deer right over there…”
At the Campfire
This is the classic moment. After dinner, as the fire crackles, start the song. Go around the circle and let each person or family suggest the next verse. It’s a wonderful, inclusive way to share the spotlight and recap the day’s adventures. You can even branch out from camping themes to anything funny or relevant.
Beyond the Song: Other Classic Campfire Tunes
Once you’ve warmed up with “A Camping We Will Go,” you might want to expand your musical repertoire. Here are a few other easy-to-learn, crowd-pleasing campfire songs that follow a similar call-and-response or repetitive pattern.
- She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain: Another folk song with endless verse possibilities.
- Boom Chicka Boom: A silly repeat-after-me song with different styles (opera, underwater, etc.).
- The Other Day I Met a Bear: A fun song with a story and dramatic actions.
- I Love the Mountains: A beautiful, simple round that creates lovely harmonies.
- On Top of Spaghetti: A hilarious parody that everyone finds amusing.
Having a few of these in your back pocket ensures the musical fun doesn’t stop after one song. You can find the lyrics to all of these online pretty easily before your trip.
Why Simple Songs Matter for Outdoor Trips
In our world of smartphones and constant entertainment, a simple group song feels almost revolutionary. But it serves several important purposes on a camping trip.
- Builds Community: Singing together breaks down barriers and creates a sense of shared purpose and joy.
- Creates Tradition: These songs become part of your family’s or group’s ritual. Kids who grow up singing them often teach them to their own children.
- Enhances the Experience: It actively engages everyone in a shared, in-the-moment activity, away from screens.
- Eases Transitions: A song can signal the start of an activity (hiking) or the wind-down of the day (campfire).
- It’s Just Plain Fun: Sometimes, you don’t need a deeper reason. Laughing through silly verses is a joy in itself.
The ‘A Camping We Will Go’ song is a tool for connection. It’s a piece of shared culture that requires nothing but your voice and a willingness to be a little goofy. That’s a pretty powerful thing to pack in your bag.
FAQs About the Camping Song
What are the real lyrics to “A Camping We Will Go”?
There’s no single “official” version, as it’s a folk song. The core lyrics start with “Oh, a camping we will go…” and follow a repetitive structure where you insert your own actions, like pitching a tent or building a fire. The most common traditional verses involve these basic camping tasks.
How do you sing the camping song?
You sing it in a group, often with a leader singing a line (e.g., “We’ll build a fire bright and red”) and the group repeating it, or everyone singing together. The tune is simple and repetitive, making it easy to learn by ear. The key is the “Hi-ho the derry-o” refrain between lines.
What is the tune for the camping song based on?
The melody is based on the old English folk song “The Lincolnshire Poacher,” which dates back to the 1700s. The American camping version adapted that familiar tune to new, family-friendly lyrics about outdoor adventure, which helped it spread through scouting and family trips.
So next time your packing the car or sitting by the fire, remember this little song. Start singing it, even if you’re alone at first. You might be surprised at who joins in. It’s a simple thread that connects us to past trips, to other campers, and to the timeless joy of being outside together. Give it a try on your next adventure—you might just start a new tradition.