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In The Loop of the Octoraro Bend
Lyrics by Kevin Grewell (with Vance Hein)
Originally submitted by Draco Martin This is the camp song for Camp Horseshoe.
It all began with the Dreams of Old,
Those early Scouts with their campaign hats,
Refrain
The sun comes up over Flag Pole Hill, Refrain
So let's hoist our packs once again my friend, Refrain A note from Kevin Grewell: Dear Scout Songs, I am writing to you concerning a song entitled "In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend" which is posted on your web site. I am the author of the lyrics to the song (with Vance Hein, who deserves credit for the idea of the song, and who helped edit the song and provided a few lyrics). First, I would like to thank you for posting this song. However, I would like to point out that you are missing about half the lyrics. Attached to this e-mail please find a complete copy of the lyrics to "In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend". I hope you will decide to update your posting so that the complete lyrics will appear on your web site (We did - the full lyrics are posted above). Second, I hope you will include the fact that I wrote this along with Vance Hein. Horseshoe is a very old camp, dating to 1928, and is very conscious of history and tradition. Unfortunately this important piece of Horseshoe history is unknown and misunderstood. I don't mind being anonymous, but various false stories have circulated over the years concerning the origin of the song, and if any attribution is given, I think it should be the correct one. No individual has taken credit for this song, but it has been variously attributed to several origins. The most prevalent theory is that two archaeologists from the State Museum of Pennsylvania wrote it during an archaeological dig conducted during the summer of 1988. The dig involved an overhanging "Rock Shelter" called Buzzards Rock, which yielded many artifacts including arrow heads dating back to 7000 B.C., or roughly 9000 years before the present. The site was visited by nomadic Paleo-Indian hunters, and other Indians trough the Archaic and Woodlands periods right up to historic times. The theory is that the archeologists were inspired to write the lyrics due to the fact that ancient Indians visited Horseshoe. This is balderdash. I wrote the song, and I spent the summer with the archeologists (Mark McConoughy PH D and Doug Miller). Believe me, these two are scientists - not the least bit musical or poetic. The dig did, however, inspire the lyrics to the song, if only indirectly. It was Vance who came up with the idea of linking the distant Indian past with the scouts of today, it was I who wrote the words to bring that concept into reality. Thanks for your assistance with this. Very Truly Yours, Kevin Grewell Back to Home |
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