We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Songs for Johnson Creek

by Johnson Creek Watershed Council

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $8 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a eco-friendly disc-sleeve, with artwork by Marty Urman. Features the same songs as the digital release. Perfect for the little (or large) nature lover in your family. $1 shipping fee added when you check out (for US addresses).

    Includes unlimited streaming of Songs for Johnson Creek via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD

     

1.
Here's a round trip ticket Johnson Creek to the Pacific Yo ho ho it's the old coho Fish feeling amorous They're anadromous Round trip ticket from the creek to the Pacific back in time to spawn by dawn to be specific Roe roe roe Salmon come, and salmon go They come back again They come back again Nah nah nah Dropping their eggs in the bank where they were born A long long trip leaving in the early morn Round trip ticket from the creek to the Pacific back in time to spawn by dawn to be specific
2.
It's a beautiful day, let's go out and play Let's take a hike, hey what do you say? Walk with me, and maybe we'll see The Johnson Creek ABCs A is for Alder, with ample shade beneath and B is for the Beaver, which fells it with its teeth C is for Cottonwood, another kind of tree There are many types of Duck, a word and bird that starts with D E is for Elk, now very seldom seen and F is for the Ferns that make the forest floor green G is for Goatsbeard, a shade lover it's true and H is for the Heron that is great and blue I is for Indian Plum, its leaves mean spring is near J is for the Jays, we have Scrubs and Steller's here K is for Kestrel, it's small but it's not meek L is for the Lamprey, a sign of a healthy creek M is for Moss, in the trees and on the ground and N is for the Nuthatch, which climbs head facing down O is for Oregon Grape, our state's official flower P is for the Painted Turtle, basking by the hour Q is for Quail, cute feather on its head and R is for the Robin, its breast a lovely red S is for Salmon, visiting from the sea and T is for the Trillium, its petals three U is for Ursus, a bear is what it's called V is for the Vulture, a raptor that is bald W is for Watercress, in salad it's quite good and X is for the Xylem, moving water through wood Y is for Yew, a coniferous tree and Zero is the number of things I could find that start with Z! Those Johnson Creek ABCs . . .
3.
I like to build my garden with seeds that I sow planting them carefully in neat and tidy rows I water and weed them, sit and watch them grow taller and taller just like my little bro Chorus: I got myself believing there's a reason for the seasons (as I watch my garden grow) Tending my garden is not an easy task Some plants like sunlight, they just sit there and bask In the warmth of the sunlight, we work hard to make it last With every bit of daylight I keep working so fast I see my plants popping up through the dirt My hands getting filthy, I'll just wipe 'em on my shirt As I watch my garden grow, it changes through the seasons Why do I do it? Oh, let me count the reasons
4.
We’re green, we’re small, we fly in big clouds We’re midges by gosh- of that we are proud A nuisance is what some people say But our proper name is chironomidae We spend all summer as larvae in the lakes Trying to avoid those fishes and snakes Once we grow into flies, we look for a mate Lucky for us, it’s easy to find a date chorus When people drive through us, they hear splats and sploshes the only ones who like us all own car washes some folks say, “it sounds like it’s raining” But we’re the ones who are dying, why are they complaining? chorus Now that you know us, we hope you understand Do us a favor- lend us a hand Don’t drive through us and kill us- leave us alone Besides, with gas prices like they are, isn’t better to stay home (and listen to some Mo Phillips)
5.
All the birds are singing out your name All the birds are singing out your name All the trees are blowing in the breeze Only to lean closer to you All the butterflies are dancing through the skies And all the fish give their tails a swish All the trees are blowing in the breeze Only to lean closer to you We walk all day in the open wide Arm in arm, side by side How can I say how it feels inside for me? All the birds are singing out your name And all the little birds are singing out your name All the trees are blowing in the breeze Only to lean closer to you.
6.
Verse 1 Cool water is like a giant train car Carries oxygen both near and far Comes down the mountain in rivulets Aquatic rhythms make a lovely quartet Music made for life downstream Submerges air into a water scene Cold-blooded creatures like the temperature low For salmon, cutthroat, and aquatic micros Chorus Keep it cool We’ve got to keep this water cool Cause as the temperatures rising You know it’s compromising Life in the creek and all the Riparian mystique Cool water flowing down to the deep blue sea Verse 2 Fish develop at a critical speed Dissolved oxygen is what they need Without the trees and their canopy Temperatures rise, as does turbidity Farms, factories, and urban life Can cause the system a lot of strife Species depart and never mate Care for your watershed before it’s too late Chorus Verse 3 Be a steward of the land you live Johnson Creek, your motive Network to find others who care Join a group and get out there Plant natives remove the ones that don’t belong Key out new species listen to the bird song Share what you love know you have voice Help direct us to a greener choice Chorus Bridge What you do it matters To all our planets members Chorus
7.
The other day I met a birdie Sang his song so soft and sad I asked that birdie, “What’s the matter?” He said, “The world is getting bad First they cut down all the forests Then they fill the air with smog Won’t you help me, friendly human? All this destruction has got to stop” ‘Cause we’re all in it together Beneath the big blue dome Hold hands, stomping feet Singing songs makes this your home In the sky, in the sea Or on the land we’re bound to roam But we’re all in it together Beneath the big blue dome The other day I felt like swimming So to the ocean I did go But the beach looked just like a junkyard Oil and trash in the undertow I asked the fishies what had happened They said we humans were the ones to blame Always polluting the precious water Turning our heads the other way But I said, “Hey fishies! You must believe me! I know some children who can change the world They’ll treat it better, they’ll save the planet!” So can you help me boys and girls? ‘Cause we’re all in it together Beneath the big blue dome Hold hands, stomping feet Singing songs makes this your home In the sky, in the sea Or on the land we’re bound to roam But we’re all in it together Beneath the big blue dome
8.
9.
10.
Having once been a kid I know that of which I speak Creeks need kids and kids need creeks. It may sound complicated, it's not algebra or Greek Creeks need kids and kids need creeks. Johnson Creek needs kids, now why would that be? Well, who else is gonna plant that tree? Plant that tree, grow up to shade the water Keep the stream cool and clean for salmon and otter. Creeks need kids to help keep them clean Kids need creeks for a place to daydream A place to explore in the blue and the green Away from the hubbub of machines. Kids need creeks for where else you gonna seek Caddises, crawdads, and creatures of the deep? And oh what a feeling when your boots leak And the water rushes in and cools off your feet. Creeks need kids to help keep them clean Kids need creeks for a place to daydream A place to explore in the blue and the green Away from the hubbub of machines.
11.
12.

about

Salmon restoration is an important part of the local efforts to keep Portland, Oregon’s Johnson Creek clean and healthy.

In support of these environmental efforts, a group of twelve Portland children's musicians have come together, generously contributing their songwriting talents to this compilation album. Eight of the album’s songs are new releases; seven of the eight were written especially for the album.

By buying "Songs for Johnson Creek," you are supporting Johnson Creek Watershed Council and our work enhancing habitat in the creek for Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead trout, and the other aquatic animals that make the creek their home. Thank you for your support.

To see photos from a recent habitat project supported with these funds, follow this link: jcwc.org/max_habitat/

Featured in Metro Parent's Holiday Gift Guide 2013 and in Zooglobble's review of Portland, the Kindie Capitol of the World.

credits

released May 23, 2013

Produced by Matt Clark
Album cover art by Marty Urman
Mastered by Nick Moon, Tone Proper Mastering
Special thanks to Beth Blenz-Clucas, Sugar Mountain PR

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Johnson Creek Watershed Council Portland, Oregon

Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in Milwaukie, Oregon. Our mission is to promote restoration and stewardship of a healthy Johnson Creek Watershed through sound science and community engagement.

By buying "Songs for Johnson Creek," you are supporting JCWC's efforts to restore habitat in Johnson Creek for coho and Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
... more

contact / help

Contact Johnson Creek Watershed Council

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Johnson Creek Watershed Council recommends:

If you like Johnson Creek Watershed Council, you may also like: