Mermaid vs the Beast

I seem to be in the minority in my opinions of "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast". Virtually everyone likes "Beast" the best (including, apparently, the Academy), but so few people mention "Mermaid". I like Mermaid better, though probably Beast "is" better. I like a Mermaid for the story, which I think is much more accessible that the Beast story is, at a (my) personal level. The "growing up, and taking your own course despite your parents' ideas" story hits me from both sides, as I remember too well the clash of my own separation, and I fear so the upcoming (all too soon) separation of my own girls.

And, I think the songs from Mermaid whup Beast's, too. The obvious fun of "Kiss the Girl" and "Under the Sea" stand on their own, but, further, I honestly can't hear (or sing) the lines, " ...bet they don't reprimand their daughters, bright young women, sick of swimmin', ready to stand... " without choking and misting up. ('Course, I have the same problem with "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", verse 2 and 3, but that's just our little secret, OK? I'm really turning into a sentimental old softy here in my 40's...)

The Princess Song

I get these ideas, and then I can't *not* try to make 'em happen.

At the Indian Princess campouts, the last night is "Campfire Night", where all the tribes (10 tribes, 10-15 girls per) get up and entertain the rest of the Nation. We, as the newest tribe, didn't have to go up at the last campout, but we will next time. Most of the other tribes did skits, some sang a song, and one lip-synched to "MIB".

Anyway, because we're a new tribe, all our girls are young - all but a few are in kindergarten. None are brave enough to carry off a skit, I think, so I proposed singing a song -- in unison. But with such young ones, there are hardly any songs that they know beyond "Mary" and "Twinkle". With a leap of faith, I figured they might be able to learn "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and I could play it on the guitar. Then came the "where'd that come from" part -- I volunteered to make it more interesting by rewriting the lyrics to make it into an Indian Princess song. It turned out to be non-trivial, but I managed to get two verses and a chorus together. I emailed the new lyrics to the other dads (most have email) so they can teach them to their girls before the campout. I also found and pointed out the web location of a "Puff" MIDI file, so they can play it for the kids a few (dozen?) times to teach them the tune. I might decide to try to turn it into a whole nation sing-along (with pass-out lyric sheets). We'll see how it goes.