An announcer's mention of "Dem Bones" during a promo for tomorrow's "1A" show on NPR triggered a memory from grade school. The vocal music teacher, Mrs. S., put an unusual twist on one of our sing-alongs. She picked a student to play a simple xylophone accompaniment and lead the singing as the rest of the class sang along. For decades, at random moments, the lyrics, "Oh, the bones, Oh, the bones, Oh, the jumpin' bones," and the song's unexpected ending, "Oh, didn't it rain," have sprung to my mind. I also remember Mrs. S. telling the xylophonist, "Keep it up, Steve," which prompted Steve to play and sing louder.
Some people sing "Alice's Restaurant" to decompress during tense times; the default setting in my mind, however, goes to "Oh, the bones, Oh, the bones, Oh, the jumpin' bones..."
