{title: Skinnamarink}
{artist: Sharon, Lois & Bram (Canadian; popularized 1980s)}
{key: G}
{tempo: 100}
{difficulty: beginner}
{tags: kids,canadiana,duet,bedtime,goodnight-song}
{video: youtube:kFFD_r-0DsA}
{credit: Sharon, Lois & Bram - 'Skinnamarink' (Official, 2023). Their signature tune. (c) Casablanca Kids.}

{c: The most-sung Canadian children's song of the past 50 years. THE bedtime/end-of-show song from Sharon, Lois & Bram. If you grew up Canadian and were a child between 1978 and 2008, this is hardwired into your brain.}
{c: Lyrics adapted from a 1910 American song "Skidamarink" by Albert Piantadosi & Felix Feist (now public domain), but the modern version with the "I love you in the morning" lyrics is associated with Sharon, Lois & Bram (1980s).}
{c: The actual chorus phrasing is short enough that the original 1910 lyrics ARE public domain. Below is the full original-melody version.}

{start_of_chorus}
[G]Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink
Skinnamarinky-[D7]doo
[D7]I [G]love [G]you
[G]Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink
Skinnamarinky-[D7]doo
[D7]I [G]love [G]you
{end_of_chorus}

{start_of_verse}
[G]I love you in the [C]morning and in the [G]afternoon
[G]I love you in the [C]evening and underneath the [D7]moon
{end_of_verse}

{start_of_chorus}
[G]Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink
Skinnamarinky-[D7]doo
[D7]I [G]love [G]you
{end_of_chorus}

{c: ===== THE HAND MOVEMENTS =====}
{c: This song has built-in choreography. Every Canadian kid born after 1978 knows them.}
{c: "Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink": hand on opposite elbow, arm tap}
{c: "Skinnamarinky-doo": other hand on other elbow}
{c: "I love you": point to self (I), cross hands over heart (love), point at audience (you)}
{c: "in the morning": both arms up like sunrise}
{c: "in the afternoon": arms out at sides}
{c: "in the evening": arms drooping down}
{c: "underneath the moon": hands above head making a moon shape}

{c: ===== HOW TO PLAY IT =====}
{c: Three chords: G, C, D7.}
{c: Strum: very gentle — this is a goodnight song.}
{c: Slow tempo. End softly.}

{c: ===== ARRANGEMENT FOR FAMILY =====}
{c: This is the END-OF-DAY song. Last song around the campfire. Last song before bed.}
{c: Two voices in unison work fine. Add a third above on "I love you" if you want a sweet harmony.}
{c: Have the 7yo do the hand motions while you play guitar. Let them lead the singing.}

{c: ===== WHY THIS SONG =====}
{c: Sharon, Lois & Bram's "The Elephant Show" closed every episode with this song. So did countless camps, daycares, and elementary classrooms.}
{c: If you sing this with your kid, in 30 years they'll sing it with their own kid. That's the whole point.}
{c: Bram Morrison passed away in 2023; Lois Lilienstein in 2015. Sing this in their memory.}