The Harvest Song is perfect for small children to sing at the Harvest festival, with a simple tune and easy actions it’s quick and easy to learn.
When the late Summer sun has spread it’s magic on the fields and hedgerows. The grass has yellowed and the ripe seeds are bursting. The work has been done to bring in the harvest and we come together to celebrate, and to give thanks for this wonderful abundance.
The Harvest Song
The corn is no longer a-waving, (wave arms to & fro)
The farmer has cut it all down, (make a chopping action )
The harvest is here, (gesture outwards with hands)
At this time of the year, (gesture outwards with hands)
And the leaves are all tu-rning brown. (flutter fingers downwards)
The Harvest festival is a wonderful celebration, the sentiment brings together people of all faiths and nationalities. The simple message of thanksgiving is easy for a small child to grasp, and The Harvest Song is just the thing to help little ones join in with the festivities.
We all have our old favourites, do you have any nostalgic songs for the harvest?
Check out my Harvest & Apples lesson plan for lots more seasonal activities in a structured lesson plan.
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Hi. I like this song, and I appreciate the way you play the glockenspiel in the video so that I can see the notes. I’ve transcribed the melody onto staff paper. When writing in the lyrics, I realize that in the final two phrases, some words must be slurred. I just guessed at it, but I’m not sure if it’s right. Can you tell me which words are slurred, where in the melody? Or, if you have it written out, or a sound file of someone singing it, that could help me too. Thank you!
Julia
K-6 general music teacher
Hi Julia, Unfortunately I don’t have the music for this song, it was just one we knew by ear and it got handed down from my kids’ primary school. But yes you’re right, the word ‘turning’ would be slurred as it is sung in three syllables (t-ur-ning) over three notes in the last phrase before the final note on ‘brown'(hope this helps!) Sara 🙂
I have never heard this song – how fun! And being from Kansas, I love the waving for the wheat 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Discover & Explore this week!
Thanks Jacquie! It is a lovely song isn’t it? so simple 🙂
Beautiful post, as usual 😉 Thanks for sharing at Discover & Explore!
You’re welcome Stephanie, so glad you liked it, and thanks for having us!
Oh, what a fun song for the harvest! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Learning about music and singing are always fun in our house. This is a nifty song that is perfect for my little ones as the fall harvest arrives and we go apple and pumpkin picking! Thank you for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 🙂
Thank you for hosting! The Harvest Songs are a lovely way to encourage little ones to embrace the rhythm of the seasons 🙂
What a pretty song. Thanks for sharing it!