When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along

Continuing with our ongoing additions of old songs that are (finally!) in the public domain, we are very happy to be able to share this classic. And what a perfect song for spring! While this old favorite has been enjoyed by many generations, it is as fresh and fun to sing today as ever.

Our arrangement is a fairly fast easygoing swing, as befits the song, but certainly not too fast. If you are using younger singers who can't quite do it all up to tempo, try beginning with just voices, perhaps with lyrics in rhythm. Then, once singing, slowly speed up until you reach the tempo of the recording. Singing along with the kids on our recording will also help.

This song has great contours, and at times calls on singers to use these contours to make it more musical. For instance, at the phrase at 29, for four bars, the tune builds naturally in volume and intensity. By 33, you should be full-throated, at the highest point of the song. Then it winds down to the ending.

The song ends with a fun-to-perform last flourish. The last words, "Ba, ba, bobbin'," are whispered/sung (loudly). But the accompaniment starts the final measure quietly, surging louder for the four eighth notes, featuring the trombones. If you like, let students do the same surge. The effect can be very satisfying.

Feel like spring yet?