Nancy Stewart

From Mary Lee and Nancy’s concert “Songs and Tales of the Trails” This song may also be found along with other songs of the Oregon trail on their recording of the same title, available in the Shop I have sung this with all ages of children, explaining first all the sewing that needs to be done to move west. I ask the children if they have ever threaded a needle, or if any of their mothers sews. Then I have them all pretend to hold a needle up and thread it. Then we pull back on the lyric “tight.” Since there is so much sewing to be done, we just keep “stitching” throughout the song, pausing only when it’s time to again thread the needle. Again, all ages seem to be mesmerized by the activity and song.

I have sung this with all ages of children, explaining first all the sewing that needs to be done to move west. I ask the children if they have ever threaded a needle, or if any of their mothers sews. Then I have them all pretend to hold a needle up and thread it. Then we pull back on the lyric “tight.” Since there is so much sewing to be done, we just keep “stitching” throughout the song, pausing only when it’s time to again thread the needle. Again, all ages seem to be mesmerized by the activity and song.