Saturday, August 1, 2015

Hanging Out With Heroes at the Library

"Hanging Out With Heroes at the Library" is one of my most popular songs in performance. Each verse provides clues to a hero from a book. Can you guess the answer before it's revealed?

Over the years I and others have written dozens of verses for this song, clustered around different themes. You can browse the entire list at the bottom of this post. If you'd like to contribute your own verse, please add it to the comments!

Below you'll find a playlist containing four different versions of the song. Most importantly, an instrumental version is include, which you may use to sing your own verses to. (Thrown in for good measure is "Paws Claws Scales and Tales," a different song that works on the same principal.)

Below the playlist is a video made by my friends Jenny and David, A.K.A. Two of a Kind, based on their own live performance of the song.

This song is also available on three different CDs: The Great Green Squishy Mean Concert CD (Monty Harper), Get a Clue (Monty Harper), and Connections (Two of a Kind).

Enjoy!


 



Hanging Out With Heroes at the Library (song lyrics)

Chorus:


Well it's a foot-stomping rope-swinging barrel of fun
There's something in a book for everyone
To make your heart pound faster and your eyes pop out
It'll get you so riled up you just got to shout
That the hero of the story is the one you want to be
I love hanging out with heroes at the library!

Original Verses:


She's got the wildest red hair, and her clothes are berserk.
This teacher takes the mystery out of how things work.
Her little lizard, Liz, always accompanies us
on impossible trips on a magic school bus.
Her hands-on approach gives science a sizzle.
Take a field trip to the library with Ms. Frizzle!

His muggle aunt and uncle made him feel outcast
until he started to discover his mysterious past.
He goes to Hogwart's school for wizards and witches.
On the quidditch team he's a seeker of snitches.
He took to that broom like a fish takes to water.
Catch the magic at the library with Harry Potter!

This diminutive detective always takes the case.
He leaves a note for his mom, then he's off on the chase.
His cleaver dog, Sludge, helps him search for clues.
At times he finds he's stuck and doesn't know what to do.
That's when a pancake snack sets him thinking straight.
Solve a mystery at the library with Nate the Great!

She was swept away from Kansas to the Land of Oz.
She took the Yellow Brick Road to seek help because
she was determined to return and faced many trials tryin’
with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion.
I'll bet you if you ask old what's her name? Dorothy!
she'd say, “There's really no place like the library!”

Ending:


Now if your looking for me let me tell you where I'll be
I'll be hanging out with heroes at the library
I just gotta shout about it from the top of every tree
I love hanging out with heroes at the library!


Dr. Seuss Verses:


He had a teeny tiny heart and he hated noise.
He snuck into Whoville and took all their toys.
He stole the Whos' Christmas in the middle of the night,
But then he heard them singing in the morning light.
That's when his heart grew bigger by more than an inch.
Carve some roast beast at the library with - The Grinch!

One rainy afternoon he stepped in through the door.
Suddenly the day was not so dull any more.
The fish said, "Noooo!" but the stranger said, "Yes!"
Things One and Two made a great big mess,
But he cleaned it all up in a second flat.
It's funny fun at the library with - The Cat in the Hat!

This elephant's ears heard a tiny yelp.
It was an itty bitty speck crying out for help.
He protected that speck because - after all,
A person's a person, no matter how small!
He saved a whole city of Whos all reporting
That their hero has a name, and his name is - Horton!

He's a helpful little fellow with an interesting diet,
And he won't be satisfied until YOU try it.
In a box, on a train, in a plane or a car,
He'll follow you around no matter where you are
To offer you a taste of green eggs and ham,
So try a little something different with - Sam I Am!


Detectives Verses:


This diminutive detective always takes the case.
He leaves a note for his mom, then he’s off on the chase.
His clever dog, Sludge, helps him search for clues.
At times he finds he’s stuck and doesn’t know what to do.
Then a pancake snack sets him thinking straight.
Solve a mystery at the library with Nate the Great!

He's a noble-hearted canine and an old cowhand.
He gets no appreciation for protecting his land.
As the head of ranch security his life's on the line.
Sneaking up and jumping on a porcupine.
If something goes awry, he’s the cowdog to thank.
Making rounds at the library with good ol' Hank!

Criminals in Idaville are caught every time
By a sneaker-wearing weapon in the war on crime
Put a quarter on his can, he'll be your private sleuth.
He always sees the clues he needs to get to the truth.
Can you pick up the answers where they’ve been laid down?
Think about it with Encyclopedia Brown!

The most talented detective in River Heights
She loves to take the case whenver trouble ignites
Her very best girl friends George and Bess
Are always glad to help her score another success
She’ll tackle any situation just to get a clue
Launch a new investigation with Nancy Drew!

From Africa to Ireland to Ancient Pompey,
They carry out missions for Morgan Le Fay.
Everywhere they go they solve a mystery.
They have a knack for fixing problems in history.
The books in the magic treehouse take em there and back.
Have an adventure in the past with Annie and Jack!

Oklahoma Heroes:


He was a fancy trick roper on Vaudeville
Where his clever commentary moved him up the bill
By the thirties he was famous as a Hollywood star
He wrote a daily quote read near and far
He could poke good fun at anyone from babies to codgers
Get a chuckle at the library with Will Rogers!

The most decorated gymnast in the USA
Her attitude keeps her Winning Every Day
Even when the press said she was too old
She proved 'em wrong and captured an olympic gold
Her bar, beam, floor routines, and vaults were all killer
Turn a cartwheel to the library with Shannon Miller!

His friends felt certain he had gone insane
But this Cherokee silversmith was using his brain
He invented a system he called talking leaves
It was an alphabet that let his people write and read
His name is on a book award so you can enjoy a
Winner at the library with Sequoyah!

He was born Frank Eaton in the wild wild west
But his nickname proved he could shoot the best
He was a rootin tootin lawman; he would rarely fail
To put the bad guys out or bring 'em in to jail
You see his likeness where the OSU Cowboys meet
Fill your hands at the library with Pistol Pete!

This Oklahoma aviator lost one eye
But nothing kept him grounded, for he loved to fly
He flew clear around the world and made it back the eighth day
He flew to fifty thousand feet in his plane, the Winnie Mae
His exploits were toasted from coast to coast
Take a flight about the library with Wiley Post!

He began singing songs at the Tumbleweed
His cross-over country never failed to succeed
And though he's known to have friends in low places
As a 90's chart topper his songs were all aces
With his cowboy hat and his rugged good looks
Catch him singing at the library; he's Garth Brooks!


Tall Tales / Western Heroes:


He could fell a dozen trees with a swing of his axe.
He was the undisputed champion of the lumberjacks.
He dug the whole Grand Canyon by himself - no sweat.
He kept a giant blue ox named Babe for a pet.
He ran his logging operation on the banks of the Onion
Clear some timber at the library with Paul Bunyan!

He was raised in the desert by a coyote pack.
He could lasso up a cyclone and float on its back.
His Widowmaker horse, no one else would ride
'Til ol' Sloo-Foot Sue was to be his bride.
She got bounced to the moon, so he howls at it still.
Become a cowboy at the library with Pecos Bill!

This mighty pioneer never carried a gun.
He was friendly and helpful to everyone.
He wore a pot for a hat and he followed the breeze.
And everywhere he went he planted apple trees.
He was thankful for the liberty to do a good deed.
At the library walk with Johnny Appleseed!

She worked hard to help her family as a young pioneer
when they came by covered wagon to the new frontier.
She was a little half pint to her fiddle playing pa
But she grew to be a teacher and a writer and a ma.
Her name was Laura Ingalls and her sister was Mary.
At the library see their Little House on the Prairie!


Medieval Verses:


When Merlin taught him the ways of the world
he turned this boy into a fish and a bird.
No one ever dreamed that Wart would take the throne
until the young king pulled the sword from the stone.
His Round Table knights used might for right.
Find King Arthur in the library and join in the fight.

This poor sooty girl had to do all the work
for her two stepsisters. What a couple of jerks!
Then her fairy godmother made a transformation.
At the prince's ball she was a big sensation.
A glass slipper made her known to her fella.
Find true love at the library with Cinderella!

This princess hates doing needlework.
She'd rather learn magic or read a book.
When she hears she has to marry a boring prince,
she volunteers instead to be a dragon's princess.
She helps Kazul become the dragon king.
Melt some wizards at the library with Cimorene!

He dresses in green from head to toe.
He's the best you've ever seen with an arrow and bow.
He's the leader of a band of merry men,
running from the sheriff of Nodingham.
They rob from the selfish and give to the good.
You can hide out at the library with Robin Hood!


Two of a Kind's Verses:


She knew she was having a very strange day
when they used flamingoes to play croquet.
She got confused by Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.
The Mad Hatter asked her to have some tea.
She barely escaped from the Queen of Hearts' palace.
Find a wonderland of reading with a girl named Alice!

He lives high on a mountain and his fur is green
The Who’s in Whoville think he’s really mean
He creeps down the mountain dressed in red & white
He steals Christmas in the middle of the night
When he hears Who’s sing, his heart grows an inch
Deck the halls at the library with… the Grinch!

He never grows up and he loves to fly
He brings Wendy, John & Michael through the sky
Captain Hook is his enemy
Tinkerbell helps him to get free
He’ll never grow up in Neverland
Swoop down to the library with…Peter Pan!

She works as a maid for a family
She takes everything literally
She gets in trouble when she makes a mistake
Like putting real sponges into the sponge cake
She wins people over when she makes a good meal, yeah
Have some laughs at the library with…Amelia Bedelia!

His father made him out of wood
He gets in trouble though he tries to be good
He skips school and he grows a tail
Then he gets swallowed by a whale
When he tells a lie, his nose will grow
Pull some strings at the library with…Pinocchio!

When this faithful pachyderm goes for a walk
He hears a tiny voice begin to talk
He stays with his speck and he never leaves ‘em
Even though nobody else believes him
No matter how small, thinks they’re importan(t)
Be a friend at the library with the elephant…Horton!

When the police shine a light in the sky
He drives to the scene, ‘cause he can’t really fly
He’s got lots of gadgets and a really cool car
He fights Joker and Penguin wherever they are
He wears a disguise so they won’t know he’s “that man”
Swoop down to the library with (na na na na na na)…Batman!

She lives in the forest, the fairest of them all
So the jealous Queen plots for her to fall
She hangs out with seven little guys
A poison apple causes her to close her eyes
Then true love’s kiss makes it come out right
Wake up at the library with…Snow White!


Student-written verses from a Monty Harper workshop at Pretty Prairy Grade School in Pretty Prairy, KS:


He's a brave little fellow with furry ears.
Cats and vacuum cleaners are his fears.
He made himself a helmet from a ping pong ball.
He races his cycle up and down the hall.
A hole in the wall is his only house.
Take a ride to the library with Ralph S. Mouse!

He likes to sing loud and sing off key.
He wears a flowered shirt from Wakiki.
He's been known to surf on a piece of ice.
He has several friends who are boring and nice,
but this little penguin is exceedingly wacky.
You'll find him at the library; his name is Tacky!

Christopher Robin calls him silly old bear
He's got lots of honey, but he doesn't like to share
He lives with his buddies in the 100-Acre Wood
Owl and Eyeore live in the neighborhood
Along with Piglet, Tigger, Kanga and Roo
Have some honey at the library with Winnie-the-Pooh!

His Mighty Robot is his very best friend
He saves the world from coming to an end
His cousin Lucy is a really big pest
She thinks she's a princess and she thinks she's the best
You can spend your days fighting with a lotta
Villains at the library with Ricky Ricotta!


Nighttime Theme:


He had a teeny tiny heart and he hated noise.
He snuck into Whoville and took all their toys.
He stole the Whos' Christmas in the middle of the night,
But then he heard them singing in the morning light.
That's when his heart grew bigger by more than an inch.
Carve some roast beast at the library with - The Grinch!

This poor orphan girl was a raggety mess
Until her fairy godmother made a magic dress.
And she danced with the prince and they had a great time.
But it all went back to normal at the midnight chime.
She left a glass slipper as a clue for her fella.
Find true love at the library with Cinderella!

He snuck through the window in the middle of the night
He took Wendy and John and Michael on a fairy-dust flight
He flirted with the mermaids on a magical isle
He fed Captain Hook to the crocodile
He’ll never grow up in Neverland
Grab adventure at the library with… Peter Pan!

She was lost from her mother in an owl mishap
She became a baby bird with Pip, Flitter and Flap
But the mama bird never let her fly at night
Nor hang upside down, and it didn't seem right
When her mother finds her hanging by her thumbs like a goon-a
She learns that she's a bat, and her name is Stellaluna!


Digging / Dirt / Underground Theme:


She saw a rabbit in a waistcoat - where did he go?
She followed him down down down the rabbit hole.
Into a very strange world where she grew and shrank
By mushrooms nibbled or bottles drank
She nearly lost her head at the Queen of Hearts' palace.
Have a Wonderland adventure with a girl named Alice!

He could fell a dozen trees with a swing of his axe
He was the undisputed champion of the lumberjacks
He dug the whole Grand Canyon by himself, no sweat
He kept a giant blue ox named Babe for a pet
He ran his logging operation on the banks of the Onion
Clear some timber at the library with Paul Bunyan!

He snuck in through the window in the middle of the night
He took Wendy John and Michael on a fairy dust flight
He lives underground on a magical isle
He fed Captain Hook to the crocodile
He'll never grow up in Neverland
Find the Lost Boys at the library with Peter Pan!

This little spotted dog thought baths were the worst
He ran away and got so dirty that his spots were reversed
And his owners didn't know him till a bath revealed
The mostly white fur that the dirt had concealed
Now he knows bath time is not so scary
Dig adventure at the library with a dog called Harry!

This diminutive detective always takes the case
He leaves a note for his mom, then he's off on the chase
His clever dog, Sludge, helps him dig for clues
At times he finds he's stuck and doesn't know what to do
That's when a pancake snack sets him thinking straight
Solve a mystery at the library with Nate the Great!


Even More Verses: 


She's a talented arachnid; she can read and write.
Her very best friend nearly lost his life.
She was a super spinner, but she wasn't very strong,
so she used her brain to save her friend from harm.
This spider is a hero of stupendous quality!
I love hanging round with Charlotte at the library!

His actual identity is Principal Krupp.
Only George and Harold really know what's up.
They hypnotized their principal to fight for the law.
He confronts wacky villains with a "Tra la la!"
Just snap your fingers, he'll go into his trance.
That's when he becomes Captain Underpants!


About Sharing

Please feel free to adapt and use any of the verses you see here in a classroom setting, performance, or recording. 

Know that any verses you share may be adapted and used by others as well.

Any other commercial use of the song or verses requires permission. 



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