H. A. Florek copyright 1997

Vocal: Miss Holly / Rhythm & Backup Guitars: Ed FLorek /

Violin: Jim Sitterly / Mandolin: Ross Landry

1. As a Fingerplay

The wind is blowing... Move hands sideways in circular motion. 

The leaves are falling... raise arms up, wiggle fingers down to ground.

There's something in the air... Look up, pointing and waving one finger.

My heart is filled, I feel a thrill... Place hands over heart, swaying side to side

For Halloween soon will be here... open arms slowly out to sides.

The days are shorter... Face palms of hands six inches or so apart

The nights are longer... Keep palms faced, pulling wider apart

It puts a chill in the air... Draw fists and arms inward shivering side to side

I look at the sky and I feel alive... Open arms above head, looking upward

For Autumn is everywhere... Open arms slowly out to sides.

The storm clouds gather for cozy weather... Tumble hands over each other

To paint a splendid sky... Wiggle fingers of one hand slowly across sky

The air is sweet upon my cheek... Put both palms to cheeks, swaying

And the song in my heart wants to fly... Hands over heart, toss fingers 

out before you, opening arms out to sides.

2. Outdoor Movement

Using the Fingerplay above, gather around a tree or under falling leaves

and encourage the addition of twirling, jumping, swooping, etc.

Back to top

H. A. Florek copyright 1997

Lead & harmony vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, banjo: Miss Holly / 

Background vocals: Ed Florek,  Leanna Ryan, Steve Majdali / 

Fiddle & mandolin: Dennis Fetchet /  Lead acoustic guitar: Brian Asher /

Acoustic Bass: Bill Bryson

1.    Over so much of our state I've yet to wander.

And a lot of her great history yet to ponder.

All her beauty to behold, greater elements than her gold.

After all these years for her my heart grows fonder.

CHORUS

All across California

From the sage down to the sea

From Mount Shasta to Chula Vista

How I love this Big Long Golden State

2.   How I love to ramble miles 'cross Mojave

Or roam Sierra trails, green and lofty

What a lucky gal (guy, man, boy) I am that I live upon this land

Where terrain comes in such great variety.

3.  Up and down and all around her shining borders 

I have seen and heard her song of many cultures.

She’s a golden symphony of such grand diversity.

There's no other state in which I’d rather be.

4.  Maybe some day we will gather, you and I 

In her mountains or her deserts, by and by. 

Then with hearts all sweet and warm, 

'round the campfire we will swarm 

While we throw this happy, chorus to the sky.

1.  Make up your own verses as you travel with your family through 

our golden state. 

2.  Learn the following dance routine for a hoedown, history lesson,

summer camp or family gathering.  Begin in large circle.

No partners are necessary.

BANJO INTRO:

Skip around in place eight counts, join hands.

VERSE 1:

Slide Left sixteen counts, then Right sixteen counts.

CHORUS:

Skip into center eight counts with a "whoop and a holler". 

Skip back out eight counts. Repeat. Drop hands.

BETWEEN VERSE TAG:

Skip around in place eight counts, join hands in circle.

INSTRUMENTAL VERSE:

Girls into center for freestyle dance

boys keep circle,  clapping.

INSTRUMENTAL CHORUS:

Boys into center, girls keep circle, clapping.

FINAL CHORUS:

Drop hands and back away from center eight counts,

move into center eight counts.

Repeat.  Skip around in place during tags.

ENDING... Kick up your heels.

NOTES:

The secret for preschoolers is not to teach it

ahead of time. 

Review circle manners then just do it, calling out steps.

Back to top

H. A. Florek copyright 1992

Lead Vocal, Acoustic Rhythm Guitar: Miss Holly / Background

Vocals: Ed Florek, Leanna Ryan, Dorothy Raigans / Fiddle &

mandolin: Dennis Fetchet / Acoustic Bass: Bill Bryson

Easy Millin' 'round the camp,

Folks comin' in from a sunset stroll,

The campfire's cracklin' softly now

As someone strums his guitar low.

    You can feel the evening sigh

    Underneath a western sky

    So settle back into your sleepin' sack

    While I soothe you with a desert melody.

    Out where the sagebrush grows

    You're safe and warm and cozy

    So go to sleep and may you slumber deeply

    Listening to Mojave lullaby.

    The air is layin' low.

    Not the slightest breeze a-blow.

    So do you hear the scurry of a little furry

    Somethin' wantin' to get closer to a song?

    Lay back your precious head

    Upon your lowly bed.

    And in a drowsy ponder when you gaze up yonder

    Close your eyes and float across the sand.

    The night is clear and heaven is near.

    Coyote pups are yippin'.

    Hush now and listen.

    You haven't got a care

    My little prickly pear.

    So go to sleep and may the angels keep you

    As I sing Mojave Lullaby.

Back to top