Sing to your kids: Only A Boy Named David

I have a mental playlist of Sunday school songs that I’ve been singing to my kids for years. Once I start singing, I go through the whole list. If I miss one, the kids are sure to let me know.

Many years ago, my parents hosted and led a Good News Club (Child Evangelism Fellowship) in their home. Some of these songs are from that. Other songs were from Sunday School. Each one is a treasured memory that I have wanted to pass along to my kids.

I will feature one song per week, as time permits. I’ll post the lyrics and music if I can find it online, or perhaps a YouTube video. Be warned: Some of the videos are dorky, or of poor quality. I briefly considered making our own videos, but to do it legally (honoring copyrights) would be cost-prohibitive and/or would take an inordinate amount of time. Some songs have a couple different versions/wordings. I will share the version I remember from my childhood.

I hope that this will encourage other moms sing to their kids. Sing even if you don’t think you have a nice voice. Sing! Your kids will still enjoy it. My singing is just so-so, but my kids like it. In fact, once I start singing, it’s hard to stop. They constantly beg for “just one more”. You don’t have to sing these particular songs — just sing!

I write this with the desire to spark the memories of others, or to give options to someone who may be new to the idea.

Many of these songs have hand motions or some sort of action that accompany them. I think that is part of what makes them so delightful to young kids.

What can be gained by singing these and other songs to your kids? They learn stories from Bible. They are taught about God and his dealings with man. They are given encouragement for the Christian journey. Words set to music are easy to remember. Things learned by heart as a child seem to stick. Even though I learned these songs all before the age of 8 or 9 years old, for the most part, I can still sing them with no words or prompting.

I was going to go all OCD and give you my list in alphabetical order, but I’ve decided to be random instead. Eventually I’ll publish an index post with with titles listed alphabetically, so that anyone interested can readily find the song they want.

Today’s song is: Only A Boy Named David
by Arthur Smith Arnott
© 1931 Salvationist Publishing & Supplies Ltd. (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Only a boy named David,
Only a little sling,
Only a boy named David,
But he could pray and sing.

Only a boy named David
Only a rippling brook,
Only a boy named David,
And five little stones he took.

And one little stone went into the sling
and the sling went round and round
And one little stone went into the sling
and the sling went round and round.
And round and round and round and round
and round and round and round.
And one little stone went up in the air
and the giant came tumbling down.

(Mom has to mime falling to the ground!)

1 Comment

Filed under "We Sing" Wednesday, Children

One Response to Sing to your kids: Only A Boy Named David

  1. MOM

    Chris, I so enjoyed your blog today. Brings back so many memories. I first learned this song from Grandpa Walter Coffman in his Sunday School Class in 1965.

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