Submitted by Connie Herbon, Iowa

Idea posted October 23, 2002

I was asked by our guidance counselor to find/teach our K-3's a song for the end of Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 21-25). She wanted something about unity, joined hands, or working together that can be sung with all the students joining hands in a big circle. I always use Drug Free Me (from Music K-8, Vol. 10, No. 3, also available as a Singles Reproducible Kit) each year during that week, but needed something different for this situation. The "joined hands" immediately brought to mind an all-time Music K-8 favorite, Put Your Hand In My Hand (from Music K-8, Vol. 2, No. 2, also available as a Singles Reproducible Kit), but the words aren't quite right. So, I thought I'd share the changes I made, in case anyone else has use for it. (You need the original, of course, for the changes to make sense.)

  • line 1: first line of verse 1
  • line 2: second line of verse 2
  • line 3: We can stand united for a drug free land.
  • line 4: fourth line of verse 1

The Red Ribbon Week theme is "United We Stand for a Drug Free Land." I want music that can be sung unaccompanied by the students or with guitar, therefore songs needing tracks are out. I also found a livelier piece to follow Put Your Hand In My Hand. Take a look at Let's Make A Difference from Bob Bernhardt in the Network section of Music K-8, Vol. 7, No. 3, for a good general song about working together.