Catholic Activity: I Want to Be Ready

Almost everyone knows, or if they don't it is easily learned, the tune to the spiritual "I Want to be Ready," an appropriate sentiment for the New Year which, after all, might be our last year. Knowing from past experience that it is much easier to own up to our failings and laugh at them together, at this party everyone gets a slip of paper with two lines written out for him to sing when his turn comes in this song. These have been worked out ahead of time.

DIRECTIONS

Almost everyone knows, or if they don't it is easily learned, the tune to the spiritual "I Want to Be Ready," an appropriate sentiment for the New Year which, after all, might be our last year. Knowing from past experience that it is much easier to own up to our failings and laugh at them together, at this party everyone gets a slip of paper with two lines written out for him to sing when his turn comes in this song. These have been worked out ahead of time.

The song properly goes like this: "I want to be ready;
I want to be ready;
I want to be ready;
To walk in Jerusalem just like John."

Then follow various verses such as:

Solo. John said that Jerusalem was foursquare.
Refrain (all). Walk in Jerusalem, just like John.

Solo. I hope, good Lord, I'll meet You there.
Refrain (all). Walk in Jerusalem, just like John.

We change the solo lines and the names in the lines sung by all. Great hilarity is the result. Here are some of the lines we sing in our family:

Monica.	To pray the prayer of Tidy-and-Neat Will earn me a fine gold front row seat.
Jamie.	If I obey and never once pout In Heaven I'll sing and dance and shout.
John.	If I give up my old self-pity I'll live forever in the heavenly city.
Peter.	If I work hard and give up sloth In Heaven there'll be no work to loathe.
Mommy.	If I keep calm, be patient and good I'll be forever in a heavenly mood.
Daddy.	If I don't shout or roar or groan I'll sing forever in a heavenly tone.
Granny.	If I don't fuss or feather or fume I'll sing forever in a heavenly tune.
Grandma.	If I don't wag my finger and scold I'll sing forever in the heavenly fold.

This song and many more are found in the inexpensive song booklets available at book shops and music stores. Usually the difference between getting people to sing and not getting them to sing is having the words at hand.

Activity Source: Year and Our Children, The by Mary Reed Newland, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New York, 1956