Writer, Scale, Rhythm and Action Steps
- Jesus Loves Me
Writer: Anna B. Warner (lyrics), William B. Bradbury (music)
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)Jesus loves me! (C)This I know,
(G)For the (D)Bible tells me (G)so.
(G)Little ones to (C)Him belong;
(G)They are (D)weak, but He is (G)strong.
(Chorus)
(G)Yes, Jesus loves (C)me!
(G)Yes, Jesus loves (D)me!
(G)Yes, Jesus loves (C)me!
(G)The (D)Bible tells me (G)so.
Actions:
“Jesus loves me”: Point thumbs to self.
“This I know”: Nod head.
“For the Bible tells me so”: Hold hands open like a book.
“Little ones to Him belong”: Put hands out, palms up, as if inviting small children.
“They are weak”: Flex arm weakly.
“But He is strong”: Flex arm strongly.
Chorus: Repeat motions.
- The B-I-B-L-E
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
The (C)B-I-B-L-E,
Yes, (G7)that’s the book for (C)me.
I (F)stand alone on the (C)Word of (G7)God,
The (C)B-I-B-L-(G7)E. (C)
Actions:
“B-I-B-L-E”: Spell out letters with hands (B: both hands up, I: pointer finger up, B: both hands up, L: hand in L-shape, E: three fingers up).
“That’s the book for me”: Point to an imaginary book, then to self.
“I stand alone on the Word of God”: Stand firm, then open hands like a book, point up.
- I’ve Got The Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart
Writer: George W. Neale (music), C.T. Russell (lyrics adaptation) / Traditional
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
I’ve (G)got the joy, joy, joy, joy (C)down in my (G)heart,
(Down in my heart)
I’ve (G)got the joy, joy, joy, joy (C)down in my (G)heart,
(Down in my heart)
I’ve (G)got the joy, joy, joy, joy (C)down in my (G)heart,
(D)Down in my heart to (G)stay.
(Verse 2) I’ve got the love of Jesus…
(Verse 3) I’ve got the peace that passes understanding…
(Verse 4) I’ve got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer…
Actions:
“Joy, joy, joy, joy”: Wiggle fingers, clap hands.
“Down in my heart”: Point to heart.
Repeat “down in my heart” as an echo.
“To stay”: Hold hands firmly together.
- Deep And Wide
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)Deep and (G7)wide, deep and (C)wide,
There’s a (F)fountain flowing (C)deep and (G7)wide.
(C)Deep and (G7)wide, deep and (C)wide,
There’s a (F)fountain flowing (C)deep and (G7)wide. (C)
Actions:
“Deep”: Place one hand above the other, palms together, then separate them vertically, moving top hand up and bottom hand down, as if showing depth.
“Wide”: Stretch arms out horizontally, palms facing out.
“Fountain flowing”: Wiggle fingers upwards like water spraying.
- Father Abraham
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)Father Abraham had (C)many (G)sons,
Many (D)sons had Father Abrah(G)am.
I am (G)one of them, and (C)so are (G)you,
So (D)let’s just praise the (G)Lord!
(Chorus – progressively add actions)
(G)Right arm! (G)Left arm! (G)Right foot! (G)Left foot!
(G)Chin up! (G)Turn around! (G)Sit down!
Actions:
Standard motions:
“Right arm!”: Extend right arm straight out and hold it there for the rest of the song.
“Left arm!”: Extend left arm straight out.
“Right foot!”: Stomp right foot.
“Left foot!”: Stomp left foot.
“Chin up!”: Nod head up.
“Turn around!”: Turn a full circle.
“Sit down!”: Sit down. (This is usually sung at the very end of the song, resulting in everyone sitting).
- He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
Writer: Traditional Spiritual (Anonymous)
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)He’s got the (F)whole world (C)in His (G7)hands,
(C)He’s got the (F)whole world (C)in His (G7)hands,
(C)He’s got the (F)whole world (C)in His (G7)hands,
(C)He’s got the (G7)whole world in His (C)hands.
(Various verses replacing “whole world” with “tiny baby,” “you and me, brother/sister,” “mommy and daddy,” etc.)
Actions:
“He’s got the whole world in His hands”: Cup hands together as if holding a large ball.
“Tiny baby”: Cradle arms like holding a baby.
“You and me”: Point to self, then to a friend.
“Mommy and Daddy”: Point to self (or make general gestures for parents).
- This Little Light Of Mine
Writer: Traditional African-American Spiritual (Anonymous)
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)This little light of (C)mine, (G)I’m gonna let it (D)shine,
(G)This little light of (C)mine, (G)I’m gonna let it (D)shine,
(G)This little light of (C)mine, (G)I’m gonna let it (D)shine,
Let it (G)shine, let it (D)shine, let it (G)shine.
(Other verses: “Hide it under a bushel? No!”, “Won’t let Satan blow it out!”, “Everywhere I go…”, “I’m gonna let it shine till Jesus comes…”)
Actions:
“This little light of mine”: Point up with finger, as if a small light.
“I’m gonna let it shine”: Wiggle fingers like sparkling light, or extend arms outwards.
“Hide it under a bushel? No!”: Make a “no” gesture, then put hands over head like covering a light.
“Won’t let Satan blow it out!”: Shake head “no,” then blow outwards.
- God Is So Good
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)God is so (G7)good, (C)God is so (F)good,
(C)God is so (G7)good, He’s so (C)good to me.
(Other verses: “He answers prayer…”, “He set me free…”, “He loves me so…”)
Actions:
“God is so good”: Thumbs up, or open hands outward.
“He’s so good to me”: Point to self, or hug self.
- Father, I Adore You
Writer: Terry Coelho (often credited as “Terry E. Smith” or “Terry Coelho-Smith”)
Scale (Key): Often D Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(D)Father, I a(G)dore (D)You.
(A)Lay my life before (D)You.
(G)How I love (D)You.
(Verse 2: Jesus, I adore You…)
(Verse 3: Spirit, I adore You…)
Actions: (More reflective, but actions can be added)
“Adore You”: Place hands over heart, or raise hands slightly in worship.
“Lay my life before You”: Extend hands forward, palms up, as if offering.
“How I love You”: Hug self, or make heart shape with hands.
- I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often A Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
I (A)am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-(E7)A-N,
And (A)I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my (D)H-E-(A)A-R-(E7)T,
And (A)I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-(E7)N-A-L-L-Y,
Be(A)cause I have a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-(E7)A-N (A)heart!
Actions:
“C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N”: Spell out letters with hand gestures.
“Christ in my H-E-A-R-T”: Spell letters, point to heart.
“Live E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y”: Spell letters, point upwards.
- Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)Zacchaeus was a (G7)wee little (C)man,
And a (F)wee little man (C)was (G7)he.
He (C)climbed up in a (G7)sycamore (C)tree,
For the (F)Lord he wanted (C)to (G7)see.
And as the (C)Savior passed that (G7)way,
He (C)looked up in the (F)tree,
And he (C)said, “Zacchaeus, (G7)you come down from (C)there,
For (F)I’m going to (C)your house (G7)today,
I’m going to (C)your house (G7)today.”
Actions:
“Wee little man”: Crouch down, make small gestures.
“Climbed up in a sycamore tree”: Pretend to climb a ladder.
“Looked up in the tree”: Shade eyes, look up.
“You come down from there”: Wave hand down.
- Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)Oh, be careful little (D)eyes what you (G)see,
Oh, be (G)careful little (D)eyes what you (G)see,
For the (C)Father up above
Is (G)looking down in (D)love,
Oh, be (G)careful little (D)eyes what you (G)see.
(Other verses: “little ears what you hear,” “little hands what you do,” “little feet where you go,” “little tongue what you say.”)
Actions:
“Little eyes what you see”: Point to eyes.
“Little ears what you hear”: Point to ears.
“Little hands what you do”: Show hands.
“Little feet where you go”: Point to feet.
“Little tongue what you say”: Point to tongue.
“Father up above”: Point up.
“Looking down in love”: Hands over heart, or gentle patting motion.
- My God Is So Big
Writer: Traditional/Unknown
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)My God is so (G7)big, so (C)strong and so (F)mighty,
There’s (C)nothing my God cannot (G7)do!
(C)My God is so (G7)big, so (C)strong and so (F)mighty,
There’s (C)nothing my God cannot (G7)do! (C)
The (F)mountains are (C)His, the (G7)rivers are (C)His,
The (F)stars are His (C)handiwork (G7)too.
(C)My God is so (G7)big, so (C)strong and so (F)mighty,
There’s (C)nothing my God cannot (G7)do! (C)
Actions:
“Big”: Stretch arms wide.
“Strong”: Flex muscles.
“Mighty”: Point upwards with authority.
“Nothing my God cannot do”: Shake head “no” for “nothing,” then shrug shoulders for “cannot do.”
“Mountains are His”: Form peak with hands.
“Rivers are His”: Wavy hand motion.
“Stars are His handiwork”: Wiggle fingers upwards.
- I’m In The Lord’s Army
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)I may never march in the (D)infantry,
(G)Ride in the (C)caval(G)ry, (D)shoot the ar(G)tillery.
I may never (D)fly o’er the (G)enemy,
But (C)I’m in the (G)Lord’s army. (D)Yes, (G)sir!
Actions:
“March in the infantry”: March in place.
“Ride in the cavalry”: Pretend to ride a horse.
“Shoot the artillery”: Mimic shooting a cannon.
“Fly o’er the enemy”: Flap arms like wings.
“Lord’s army”: Stand at attention, salute.
- This Is The Day
Writer: Les Garrett
Scale (Key): Often D Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(D)This is the (G)day, (D)this is the (A)day
That the (D)Lord has (G)made, (D)that the (A)Lord has (D)made.
We will (D)rejoice, (G)we will (D)rejoice
And be (D)glad in (G)it, and be (D)glad in (A)it.
(D)This is the (G)day (D)that the (A)Lord has (D)made,
We will (D)rejoice and be (G)glad in (D)it.
(D)This is the (G)day, (D)this is the (A)day
That the (D)Lord has (G)made. (D)
Actions:
“This is the day”: Point to self, then to the sky.
“Lord has made”: Point up.
“Rejoice”: Raise hands in joy, clap.
“Be glad”: Smile widely.
- If You’re Happy And You Know It
Writer: Traditional (though sometimes adapted with Christian lyrics)
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
If you’re (C)happy and you know it, (G7)clap your (C)hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re (C)happy and you know it, (G7)clap your (C)hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re (F)happy and you know it,
And you (C)really want to (G7)show it,
If you’re (C)happy and you know it, (G7)clap your (C)hands. (clap, clap)
(Other verses: “stomp your feet,” “shout ‘Amen!’,” “do all three”)
Actions:
“Clap your hands”: Clap hands.
“Stomp your feet”: Stomp feet.
“Shout ‘Amen!'”: Shout, raise hands.
- Fishers Of Men
Writer: Traditional/Anonymous (based on Matthew 4:19)
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)I will make you (C)fishers of (G)men,
(Fishers of men, (D)fishers of (G)men,)
(G)I will make you (C)fishers of (G)men,
If you (D)follow (G)Me.
(Chorus)
(G)If you (C)follow (G)Me,
(If you (D)follow (G)Me,)
(G)If you (C)follow (G)Me,
I will (D)make you (G)fishers of (G)men.
Actions:
“Fishers of men”: Mimic casting a fishing line.
“Follow Me”: Point to self, then make a walking motion with fingers.
- Arky, Arky (Rise And Shine)
Writer: Traditional/Anonymous (often called “Rise and Shine”)
Scale (Key): Often C Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
The (C)Lord told Noah (G7)to build Him an (C)arky, arky,
(F)The Lord told Noah (C)to build Him an (G7)arky, arky,
The (C)Lord told Noah (G7)to build Him an (C)arky, arky,
And (F)gather them (C)in (G7)two by (C)two.
(Chorus)
(C)Rise and (G7)shine, (C)and give God the (F)glory, glory,
(C)Rise and (G7)shine, (C)and give God the (F)glory, glory,
(C)Rise and (G7)shine, (C)and give God the (F)glory, glory,
(C)Children of the (G7)Lord. (C)
(Other verses describe animals entering two by two)
Actions:
“Build Him an arky”: Hammering motion.
“Two by two”: Hold up two fingers, or link arms with a partner.
“Rise and shine”: Stand up, stretch arms overhead.
“Give God the glory”: Raise hands in praise.
- Peace Like A River
Writer: Anonymous/Traditional
Scale (Key): Often G Major
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(G)I’ve got peace like a (C)river, (G)I’ve got peace like a (D)river,
(G)I’ve got peace like a (C)river in my (G)soul. (D)
(G)I’ve got peace like a (C)river, (G)I’ve got peace like a (D)river,
(G)I’ve got peace like a (C)river in my (G)soul. (D)
(Other verses: “joy like a fountain,” “love like an ocean”)
Actions:
“Peace like a river”: Wavy arm motion from side to side.
“Joy like a fountain”: Wiggle fingers upwards like a fountain.
“Love like an ocean”: Stretch arms out wide, or make a sweeping motion.
“In my soul”: Point to heart.
- Every Move I Make
Writer: David Ruis
Scale (Key): Often E Major (but commonly adapted to C or G for kids) – Let’s use C Major for easier chords.
Rhythm (Meter): 4/4
Chords:
(C)Every move I (G)make, I (Am)make in You, (F)You make me move, Jesus.
(C)Every breath I (G)take, I (Am)breathe in You. (F)
(Pre-Chorus)
(C)Every step I (G)take, I (Am)take in You, (F)You are my way, Jesus.
(C)Every breath I (G)take, I (Am)breathe in You. (F)
(Chorus)
(C)Waves of mercy, (G)waves of grace,
(Am)Everywhere I (F)look, I see Your face.
(C)Your love has cap(G)tured me,
(Am)Oh, my God, this (F)love, how can it be?
Actions:
“Every move I make”: Sway body gently, or make walking motions.
“Every breath I take”: Place hand on chest, or take a deep breath.
“Waves of mercy, waves of grace”: Wavy hand motions.
“Everywhere I look, I see Your face”: Look around, then point forward.
“Your love has captured me”: Bring hands to chest, as if hugging.
