Following the Leader

One of the songs from Morgan's new favorite movie, Peter Pan, is Following the Leader.

It's catchy and fun to sing. Even more fun is listening to Morgan sing it behind Eliza in the stroller and Eliza shaking her arms and trying to sing along.

A few mornings back, however, I realized just how long this song has been sung by children.

Peter Pan first appeared in a 1902 short story, later in J M Barrie's novels and in the 1953 Disney film Peter Pan.
The film version has some fantastic songs along with the classic animation and a peak into life at the turn of the century.
But this song's chorus, the "De-dum Dee-dee," has to be the most recognizable part.

At Target the other morning, Morgan and I were wandering the isles, holding hands when she started into the following the leader song. Most of the other children might sing a Hannah Montana song or the opening theme of their favorite cartoon show, but Morgan likes her Peter Pan.
As she was singing and skipping along, an elderly couple was walking past us. That tune must have sparked their memories because as we passed they stopped dead in their tracks to watch her go by. No doubt their minds raced back to when their children did the same thing dressed as John and the Lost Boys oh so long ago.
Morgan has sung and skipped past folks before, but never has someone stopped and watched with a smile on their face, let alone 2 of them.

I can only assume it was this song that did it. And that was pretty cool.