Updated 1/18/23; originally posted 10/29/18
So many of our O&M students love music and songs. You can use the songs rhythm and the words in the song to help motivate students to use great cane skills. Singing while walking down long hallways or sidewalks is a great way to motivate cane users to keep walking as they build their endurance. Other songs are fun songs to teach concepts or simply to help the student feel good about his/her cane! Be sure to check out the songs at the bottom geared for older kids!
Modify these lyrics to fit your student’s needs or to match your O&M goals. Please share YOUR favorite songs too!
Here are some songs to try:
Row, Row, Your Boat
Slide, Slide, Slide your Cane
Slide it left to right
Slide it, slide it, slide it
Slide it, day and night.
Tap, tap tap your cane
Tap it left and right
Tap it, tap it, tap it
Tape it day and night.
This Old Man
This old cane
Knows the way
It swings left and right all day
With a knick knack paddy whack
When I’m all alone
This old cane can get me home.
-shared by Rickilynn
Wheels on the Bus
The grip on the cane stays in my hand, in my hand, in my hand
The grip on the cane stays in my hand, all day long.
The tip on my cane stays on the ground, on the ground, on the ground,
The tip on my cane stays on the ground all day long.
The cane in my hand stays out in front, out in front, out in front,
The cane in my hand stays out in front, all day long.
The tip on my cane swings left and right, left and right, left and right,
The tip on my cane swings left and right, all day long.
-shared by Rikilynn
So Early in the Morning
This is the way I slide my cane, slide my cane, slide my cane, slide my cane,
This is the way I slide my cane, slide my cane, slide my cane, slide my cane
This is the way I slide my cane, everyday!
-shared by Jessica
Pete the Cat (a mantra, not a song)
If your feet are movin’ then your cane is groovin’
– shared by Jessica
Holie Pokie (That’s how you cross the street)
You have to look to the left – you have to look to the right,
You have to make sure there’s no cars in sight.
Then you ask an adult if you can hold their hand.
That’s how you cross the street!
You have to listen here, you have to listen there,
Until you don’t hear a car coming anywhere.
Keep your ears and eyes working while you’re walking across
That’s how you cross the street!
When you come to a corner where they have a light,
It’s very important to do things right.
If it’s green you can go – take it nice and slow.
That’s how you cross the street!
Now there’s one more thing that you ought to know,
If the light is red or yellow NEVER NEVER go.
‘Cuz if you go when it’s read, you might end up dead.
That’s how you cross the street!
You have to do it safely.
You have to do it safely.
You have to do it safely.
That’s how you cross the Street!
-shared by PM
Do-Re-Mi (Parts of the Cane)
CANE – a tool to aid the blind
CAP – a small protective band
Crook – to hang upon the hook
Grip – is where I place my hand
SHAFT – the body of the cane
WHITE – it glimmers in the night
RED – to help alert the cars
And the TIP is what I tap!!
When you play this simple game,
You can learn the parts of the cane!
-shared by PM & JH
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas
I’m dreaming of a White Cane Day
With V-I travelers on the go!
Where the cane tips glisten
And blind kids listen
To hear breaks in traffic flow.
I’m dreaming of a White Cane Day
With every turn to left and right.
May your trips be safe day and night
And may all decisions made be bright!
– shared by Sheila
Ghost Busters Theme (Use your Cane!)
Walking down the street . . . on one’s around
Whadda ya gonna do?!
USE YOUR CANE!!
You think it’s clear . . . then you hear a sound
Wadda ya gonna do?!
USE YOUR CANE!!
I ain’t afraid of this block!
I ain’t afraid of these cracks!
You approach the curb, and you get in place . . .
Wadda ya gonna do?!
USE YOUR CANE!!
The traffic noise . . . makes your heart race . . .
Wadda ya gonna do?!
USE YOUR CANE!!
I ain’t afraid of this street!
I ain’t afraid of these cars!
Even in school . . . USE YOUR CANE!
Show ’em you’re cool! . . . USE YOUR CANE!
Everywhere ya go . . . USE YOUR CANE!
Even in the snow. . . USE YOUR CANE!
If ya don’t use your cane
Ya might just end up in pain . . .
I’m tellin’ ya now . . .
USE YOUR CANE!!
– Brian and Peggy
It’s My Party (It’s my Cane)
It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to
Arc if I want to Arc if I want to
You would arc if, you had a white cane too
Everyone knows that Mrs. ___ our O and M guide
She teaches us all the skills
We need to travel safely
It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to
Arc if I want to Arc if I want to
You would arc if, you had a white cane too
Know my routes, moving independently
Walk along with me for awhile
And I’m sure that you’ll see
Why using my white cane makes me smile
It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to Arc if I want to
Arc if I want to
You would arc if, you had a white cane too
The VI students just walked through the door
All using their white cane’s
Oh, what a caneday treat
(school name/initials) is going to sing
It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to
Arc if I want to
Arc if I want to You would arc if,
you had a white cane too
Oh, It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to
Arc if I want to Arc if I want to
Arc if I want to You would arc if, you had a white cane too
Oh, It’s my cane and I’ll arc if I want to
– Geri
Shake it Off (Taylor Swift) (Swing it Out)
I know many routes
I keep them in my brain
Travel every day, mmm-mmm
That’s the O&M way, mmm-mmm
I can go all over town
I always use my cane
Travel safely every day, mmm-mmm
That’s the O&M way, mmm-mmm
So I keep cruising
Can’t stop, won’t stop moving
It’s like I hear Ms. Darko in my mind
Saying, “Please use your white cane right.”
Cause my feet are gonna step, step, step, step, step
And my body’s gonna move, move, move, move, move
Baby, I’m just gonna swing, swing, swing, swing, swing,
I swing it out, I swing it out
My cane tips’ gonna roll, roll, roll, roll, roll
And the cane is gonna arc, arc, arc, arc, arc
Baby, I’m just gonna swing, swing, swing, swing, swing,
I swing it out, I swing it out
I am sure of all my steps
The cane’s magic in my hand
Even though I cannot see, mmm-mmm
Won’t let that bother me, mmm-mmm
I travel on my own
Show off as I go
So stand back and watch me cruise mmm-mmm
And you’ll see us on the news, mmm-mmm
So I keep cruising
Can’t stop, won’t stop moving
It’s like I hear Ms. Darko in my mind
Saying, “Please use your white can right.”
Cause my feet are gonna step, step, step, step, step
And my body’s gonna move, move, move, move, move
Baby, I’m just gonna swing, swing, swing, swing, swing,
I swing it out, I swing it out
My cane tips’ gonna roll, roll, roll, roll, roll
And the cane is gonna arc, arc, arc, arc, arc
Baby, I’m just gonna swing, swing, swing, swing, swing,
I swing it out, I swing it out
I swing it out, I swing it out
I swing it out, I swing it out
I swing it out, I swing it out
I swing it out, I swing it out
Misc. Pop Songs/Song Phrases
To the Left
Beyonce’s song; great for students who do not sweep their cane to the left!
- shared by Cheri
I Like to Move It
I like to move it, move it!
-shared by Robin
I Whip My Hair Back and Forth
By Willow Smith
I move my cane side to side (just slide/tap it)
I move my cane side to side
I move my cane side to side (slide/tap it real good)
I move my cane side to side
I move my cane side to side
I move my cane side to side
I move my cane side to side (I slide/tap my)
-shared by Robin
Baby Shark
Move your cane, doo-doo, doo-doo
-shared by Robin
Any Tune
(Insert landmark two times)
Where are you?
I’m gonna find you!
Misc. Phrase
Some of the kids name their canes, so we talk about how “Eminem” likes to explore the world, so sweeping the cane is his favorite game!
-shared by Cheri
Editor’s Note: I had a student with a sense of humor who named his cane “Seymour” (‘See More’).
Kirstin’s comment:
“I’m old enough now that I am seeing some of my preschoolers from years ago who are now high school age and they will ask or recall the songs we used to sing . . .I just laugh because I made it all up! Some of them actually remember all the words too!”
-Songs in post collated by Diane Brauner
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