Lyrics

Eager the Beaver

I’d like to tell the story of a beaver in her glory.
Castor Canadensis is her scientific name.
You could call her Eager, a lovely furry beaver.
She’s the perfect animal to build a better world,

And she loves to dive, and she loves to swim.
She loves to chew on a willow limb.
She builds with mud, and sticks, and stones
A dam to save the water.

She is more than able to raise the water table.
She creates lush meadows and a lake for me and you.
And in that lake you’ll find some fish, some frogs, and mud your feet will squish,
Lily pads, and cattails tall enough to hide an egret.

She is more than able to raise beaver kits so stable.
They will grow to help her as she builds a better home.
They will raise some kits as well. They grow enough to move along,
Build another dam to save another world of water.

She loves to swim, and weave, and dodge.
She builds her home, a wooden lodge,
With alder and with willow logs,
And lots of stones and mudpies.

They love to dive and they love to swim,
And they love to chew on willow limbs.
They build with mud, and sticks, and stones 
More dams to save the water.

They are more than able to raise the water table.
They will give you ponds and lakes to float your blue canoe.
And in that lake will swim some fish, everything a kid could wish.
You paddle in your blue canoe and float above the planet.

And they love to dive and they love to swim,
And they love to chew a willow limb.
And they build more dams of mud, and sticks, and stones,
Just like their mother.

Now you know the story of a beaver in her glory.
She is everything we need to build a habitat:
A place for egrets, pollywogs, and soon they grow up into frogs.
She has made a lovely place to float a blue canoe.

Copyright 2021 Stephen Malcolm Anderson

Beaver Believers

Two beaver built a lovely dam
On a creek that was so weak,
In the summertime it was almost gone,
A creek so slow and meek, hide and seek (there were no fish!).

The beaver dam made a lovely pond,
A perfect home for their four small kits.
Their urban neighbors were alarmed at this
And tore their dam to bits, their lovely dam.

They trapped the beaver every one, to move them to a zoo.
Their true believers spread the word:
They need our help, oh yes it’s true, our help, it’s true, it’s true, it’s true, it’s true it’s true.

Chorus:
Beaver believers are true blue friends.
Beaver believers love all they do.
Beaver believers are true to the end.
They believe in beaver and so can you, and so can you, you and you and you and you.

They told a rancher of their loss,
She said we’ll gladly take them here.
We need a beaver dam really bad right now.
It’s been our driest year, our driest year (we’re in a drought).

The rancher and her family
Watched as the dam and water rose.
They loved to see their beaver pond appear.
Their dried-up stream now flows, it truly flows (there goes a fish).

Chorus

The urban neighbors soon missed their creek.
They saw they needed those beaver, too!
They asked the rancher for some kits.
She said, “I’ll see what I can do, there might be two, an older two.

Those beaver kits built a lovely dam.
The urban creek was soon a stream.
The neighbors said, "We’ll surely keep them now."
And so those beavers dream in their lovely stream.

Beaver believers are true blue friends.
Beaver believers love all they do.
Beaver believers are true to the end.
They believe in beaver and so can you, and so can you, you and you and you and you.
Oooooooo true blue . . .Oooooo you and you and you . . .
Oooooooo true blue . . .Oooooo you and you and you . . .

Geronimo

I’d like to tell a story of a beaver that did fly.
You might not believe it but there’s a reason why.
Geronimo lived long ago in 1948,
A beaver out in Idaho, a wild and western state,
A wild and western state.

The creek was overcrowded, as we heard the rangers say,
"We’ve got to move some beaver now, and do it straightaway.
We need them in the wilderness, far away from man,
But if we’re going to get them there, we’ll have to make a plan.
We need a master plan."

First they tried a wooden cage on top of Jake, the mule.
Old Jake, he started buckin’ and jumped into the pool.
The rangers saw Jake’s packsaddle quickly disengage.
Geronimo escaped after chewing through his cage.
He chewed right through his cage.

Nearby beaver families were livin’ in their pools,
Minding their small dams and lodges, without any mules.
They had no idea they were on a beaver map
Until they went to tend their dams, and swam into a trap.
A giant beaver trap.

They had so many beaver they had to hire a crew,
But they had no way to move them. They didn’t have a clue.
Three score and sixteen beaver is a problem all its own.
"We need a method safe and sure. This move we can’t postpone.
This move can’t be postponed."

Ranger Elmo thought awhile. "You know we can’t take long.
I have a plan that fits the bill. We’ll do it for a song.
We’ll fly those beaver to their home in boxes for the flights.
With parachutes attached, they’ll float safely down to sites,
Safe to river sites."

He trapped again Geronimo, the oldest, wisest male.
That beaver sailed beneath his chute and lived to tell the tale.
Geronimo the Beaver didn’t know that he could fly.
He had never dreamed of beaver floating from the sky.
Floating from the sky.

And so the beaver, one by one, were pushed out on the breeze,
Sailing down to river homes as pretty as you please.
The parachutes worked perfectly. Crates opened when they lit.
The beaver soon built dams because beavers never quit.
And beaver never quit.

1948 was long ago. Our story doesn’t end.
Today those beavers’ offspring are building dams to tend.
If you hike those mountains out in wild Idaho,
Ranger Elmo’s beaver are the reason you should go,
And thank Geronimo, and thank Geronimo.
Thank Geronimo!


Two Front Teeth

Give a beaver two front teeth, willows, and some mud,
She’ll make a home for frogs and trout and slow a springtime flood.
Give that beaver a little time to find her perfect match,
And soon you’ll have some newborn kits, and then another batch.

Those kits will grow inside the lodge, and then they’ll swim the pond,
Learning every day the skills to take them far beyond.
Just today they learned to swim and help maintain their dam.
They cut some willow, carried mud, and swam and swam and swam.

Chorus
They learn to watch for danger, and to be a tattletale, 
Oh look! A cougar! Look! A wolf! They know to slap their tail.

Alarmed, they dive down deep below and swiftly weave and dodge,
Then swim away to safety in their cozy quiet lodge.

Soon winter’s here, it’s quiet now, the pond is blue with ice.
They’re warm and comfy in their home, a beaver paradise.
Then Spring is here. Their pond will grow, and soon the meadow’s green.
The frogs will croak, the salmon jump, and ducks will soon be seen.

Now a younger beaver needs to leave for her new home.
She’ll build, with her own family, a dam to call their own.
Her kits will grow inside the lodge, and soon they’ll swim their pond,
Learning every day the skills to take them far beyond.
 
Chorus
They learn to watch for danger, and to be a tattletale, 
Oh look! A cougar! Look! A wolf! they know to slap their tail.

Their pond will grow, oh my! A lake! And soon the meadow’s green.
The frogs all croak, the salmon school, and loons will soon be seen.
Give a beaver two front teeth, willows, and some mud.
She’ll make a home for frogs and trout and slow a springtime flood.

Copyright 2020 Stephen Malcolm Anderson


Beaver and the Honey Bee

Beaverly the beaver was careful, yes indeed.
She was very young but still could swim with speed,
Strong enough to dig up mud and carry heavy rocks.
Alert to every danger, she could spot the wily fox.
Busy busy beaver, busy as can be.

Buzzy was a honey bee, an expert in the flowers.
She woke each day to start the search and flew for many hours.
The beehive could depend on her to find the richest bloom.
She’d dance to show them where to fly, and off the bees would zoom.
Busy buzzy honeybee, busy as can be.

Beaverly was working hard, diving in her pond,
Watching out for danger, to which she would respond.
Always sniffing at the breeze that makes the aspens quake,
She’d slap her tail so loudly it would make the water shake.
Busy busy beaver, busy as can be.

Buzzy had been flying back and forth for many hours,
For growing near the beaver pond were the lushest flowers. 
It takes a million nectar flights to fill a honeycomb.
She was so exhausted, she couldn’t fly back home.
Busy busy beaver, busy buzzy bee.

Oh, Buzzy was so tired, and worn out from the day,
She fell asleep inside a flower and slept the night away.
She had meant to take a little nap, but dreamed all through the night.
She woke up early with start, surprised to see the light.	

Beaverly, that early dawn, should have gone to bed
But she needed just a bit more food and went to eat instead.
She couldn’t see the quiet fox creeping near the trail.
Any beaver seeing that would have slapped its tail!
Hungry busy beaver, sleepy buzzy bee.

Buzzy launched into the air, but just when she arose
She tumbled from the air, and landed on a nose.
The fox was startled, gave a yip, and Buzzy flew away.
Beaverly dove to the pond and quickly swam away.

She slapped her tail to warn her clan and learned to be more wary.
Buzzy learned to never fly with more than she could carry.
The fox, with pollen on his nose, went sneezing down the trail.
Beaverly and Buzzy could tell a wondrous tale.
Beaverly the beaver, Buzzy honey bee,
Lucky busy beaver, lucky buzzy bee.

Copyright 2021 Stephen Malcolm Anderson


 Beaver Fever

There are fevers that are good, there are fevers that are bad.
There are fevers make you happy and ones that make you sad.
There is just one fever you should try to catch today: 
Beaver Fever will encourage you to help them make their way.

 Beaver Fever (clap) . . . Beaver Fever (clap)

If you ever catch this fever you will do what must be done, 
Sing beaver praises far and wide to everyone.
Until they catch this fever, too, and love our beaver just like you;
Until they catch this fever, too, and love our beaver just like you.

Beaver Fever (clap) . . . Beaver Fever (clap)

Beaver are so loving, just like you and me.
They work and play together, love to cuddle family.
The littlest are precious kits inside their lodges cozy,
They climb on everything they see, they really are quite nosey.

Beaver Fever (clap) . . . Beaver Fever (clap)

Beaver need our help. We’ve got to spread the word.
They deserve our energy ‘til everyone has heard.
We will use this fever to bring everyone along.
We need all your voices as we sing our eager beaver song.

Beaver Fever (clap) . . . Beaver Fever (clap)

They climb on everybody ’til they’re old enough to work.
They learn to watch for danger as they dive down in the murk.
They chew on every stick they see, especially the willow.
They build a dam and when they sleep, use mama for a pillow.

Beaver Fever (clap) . . . Beaver Fever (clap)

If you ever catch this fever you will know what must be done:
Sing beaver praises far and wide to everyone 
Until they catch this fever, too, and love our beaver just like you;
Until they catch this fever, too, and love our beaver just like you.

Beaver fever
Beaver fever
Catch beaver fever
Catch beaver fever
Catch beaver fever!

Copyright 2021 Stephen Malcolm Anderson


Beaver Lullaby (If You Were A Beaver Kit)

If you were a beaver kit your fur would be so soft and sweet,
Everyone would cuddle you and tickle all your feet.
Your mom would keep you snug and warm inside your home of wood.
She’d give you milk so you can grow and swim your neighborhood.
If you were a beaver kit, in your neighborhood.

If you were a beaver kit your tail would be so flat,
When you slapped the water we’d hear the loudest SPLAT!
If you were a beaver kit you would love the night.
You’d sleep all day inside the lodge safely out of sight.
If you were a beaver kit, waiting out of sight, waiting for the night.

If you were a beaver kit, as you grow more every day
You would learn to hold your breath ’til danger went away.
If you were a beaver kit, your teeth would grow so strong
Cutting willow sticks as you hum a beaver song.
If you were a beaver kit, you’d hum a beaver song . . . hmmmmmmmmm

If you were a beaver kit, when winter comes to stay
Your home will be so warm and dry, a perfect hideaway.
Around the pond there’s snow and ice the winter winds will bring.
You’re safe inside your cozy lodge with family until spring.
If you were a beaver kit, waiting for the spring
While winter winds will sing, you hum a beaver song . . . hmmmmmmmmm

If you were a beaver kit, your fur would be so soft and sweet,
Everyone would cuddle you and tickle all your feet.
If you were a beaver kit, your fur would be so soft and sweet,
Everyone would cuddle you and nibble on your feet.
If you were a beaver kit, they’d nibble on your feet . . . mmmmmm . . . 
mmmmmmm

Copyright 2020 Stephen Malcolm Anderson

Wildlife Neighborhood

Have you seen a weaver?
There’s none better than a beaver.
She will weave some willow wands, then add mud and stone
If you’ve seen a weaver
There’s none better than a beaver.
Soon she’s built a lovely pond and then she’s not alone
. . . and then she’s not alone.

Just think of all the creatures that depend upon her skill:
Pollywogs, salmon fry, the elk upon the hill,
Butterflies, and osprey, geese, and otters, too.
They all depend on what she weaves with her eager crew.

Today there’s lots of caddisfly. They need a flowing stream;
Water ouzels, muskrats, too. Kingfisher reigns supreme.
There’s a wood duck and a moose! The heron stands alone.
A redwing blackbird flashes by, a mule deer standing . . . as still as stone.

The mountain lion needs to drink, as does the snowshoe hare.
Mister Badger takes a bath, near cousin Mrs. Bear.
There’re birds and insects, goodness sake, the list goes on so long.
Oh yes, it’s in the hundreds, oh! and don’t forget the songs:

There’s songs of warblers, crickets, too, and humming dragonflies.
Robins hear coyotes howl as loons begin their cries.
Owls hoot, nighthawks swoop, frogs croak all night.
Morning light, hear quail softly call; everything’s all right.

Mrs. Beaver’s family make their nightly rounds,
Patching holes to keep their dam and water in its bounds.
As her family grows she will need a bigger lodge.
It looks just like a pile of sticks, perfect camouflage.

In the dawn we see a fawn come carefully to drink.
The early birds are calling now, and look, here comes a mink.
Beaver dreams are needed where they weave with willow wood
Homes for all their kith and kin, a wildlife neighborhood.

Have you seen a weaver?
There’s none better than a beaver.
She will weave some willow wands until she sees it’s good.
Have you seen a weaver?
There’s none better than a beaver.
Soon she’s built a lovely pond, a wildlife paradise,
A wildlife neighborhood, a wildlife neighborhood, a wildlife neighborhood, a wildlife neighborhood.

Bring Back Beaver Blues

Out West we lost our beaver back in 1841.
Hudson's Bay trappers took them every single one.
They trapped them everywhere they could
Even though you never should trap them all.

For 40,000 years they were building lovely pools,
Perfect homes for ducks, and geese, and fishy fishy schools.
They work so hard and never quit, aquatic pioneers,
For all this time the very best of nature’s clever engineers.

Bring back beaver, bring them on home.
Bring back beaver where the buffalo roamed.
Bring back beaver, bring them back today.
It’s all so sad that they ever went away.

And now beaver need us, every one, to lend helping hand.
Let’s give them little streams and soggy froggy bottomland
And they’ll build lily ponds, and lakes, and even blue lagoons,
And those will bring us fishes, frogs, and maybe even common loons.

And when we have our beaver, we will truly celebrate.
We’ll wonder why it took so long to see what they create.
They will slow a flood, they will build it right,
They’ll dam it up quickly as they’re working all night.
Beaver give us hope, beaver help us cope with global warming.

Bring back beaver, bring them back today.
It’s all so sad that they ever went away.
Bring back beaver, help us sing this song.
Bring back beaver everywhere that they belong.

Bring back beaver, bring them back today.
It’s all so sad that they ever went away.
Bring back beaver where the buffalo roamed.
Bring back beaver to every single home they ever knew,
An eager beaver crew.
Bring back beaver, bring back beaver, bring back beaver,
Bring back beaver, bring back beaver, bring back beaver.
Bring back beaver now!