New twist on an Old Song…

While watching Discovery Channel recently , I  experienced a text-to-text connection:Discovery Channel Commercial–Two astronauts floating in space begin singing…”I Love the mountains, I love the clear blue skies….”  I was instantly transported back to a campfire sing-along at Camp Dellwood in Indianapolis, Indiana…

I love the mountains...I love the rolling hills...I love the flowers...I love the daffodils...I love the fireside...When all the lights are low.
Boom dee ah dah. Boom dee ah dah...Boom dee ah dah. Boom dee ah dah…

Complete Lyrics and audio sample illustrated version of lyrics video version of traditional song

The commercial was all the more compelling because of my prior knowledge, and I had to immediately google the lyrics of both the original song and the adaptation.  How did they compare?  Did Discovery exploit this traditional song for the benefit of publicity?

In fact, I think the new version is more inclusive of many life experiences and possibilities in the world.  It demands a certain level of awe for the amazing world we live in, a much bigger world than described in the original lyrics.

What would happen if students learned both versions of this song?  Would they recognize the similarities and differences? Would they be able to guess which one was written first? Which would they find most relevant to their lives?  I became invested in these questions enough to create an illustrated version of the new Discovery Channel lyrics:  I Love the World Picture Book.

A natural follow-up would be to have the students create their own “I Love the World” books… I Love the World Template for Student-Created Song

It’s a simple lesson based on the simplicity of a tune – one stored in summer camp memories.  Thank you, Discovery Channel, for helping this song bubble to the surface once again.