Environmental Songbook

The World is Not Your Garbage Can

Music and lyrics by David Heitler-Klevans

David wrote this song about something that makes him mad: littering. Waggle your fingers along! A little righteous indignation can be fun! This song is now the title song of a musical that David & Jenny wrote for kids to perform.

Lyrics

I was on my way to school one beautiful blue-sky day
I finished off my favorite snack; I had the wrapper to throw away
I looked around for a garbage can, but there were none in sight
I dropped the wrapper on the ground
out jumped old Mrs. Pound
and she yelled at me with all her might -

(Chorus:)
"The world is not your garbage can
The world is not your garbage can
Listen what I say, young man -
The world is not your garbage can!"

Well, I hung my head and picked up my trash - feeling like an awful fool
And you know I found a garbage can when I finally got to school
I was sitting in class when the Principal made this announcement on the P.A.
he said: "Everyone
is gonna have some fun
and clean up the park this Saturday!"

'cause (Chorus) (w/everybody lend a hand)

Well, Saturday came and I went to the park to pick garbage up off the ground
And I couldn’t believe the piles of stuff that were strewn all around
As I toiled to pick up other folk’s junk, I thought "this is such a pain!
If they just put in
the garbage bin
I wouldn’t have to sing this sad refrain:"

(Chorus)

(repeat Chorus - ending with:)

It’d be more acceptable in a garbage receptacle -
The world is not your garbage can!

Movement: waggle finger on Chorus

Instrumental accompaniment: create instruments from reused/recycled materials (spring water bottle shakers, can cowbells, toilet paper roll kazoos, etc.

Act out the song. Example - Video: https://youtu.be/tlV_oek-2BM

CMN's Environmental Songbook is a compilation of songs that promote respect and responsibility for the environment. You'll find these songs inspiring, fun and educational not just for children, but for the musicians, teachers and other adults who sing with them.

Find songs about:

Clean-up & Recycling, Climate, Seasons & Weather, Creatures & Habitats, Earth & Natural Resources, Energy & Conservation, Trees & Plants, Water Resources

Terms of Use

All songs posted in the CMN Song Library are protected by copyright and are provided by the generosity of the owner/artist. You may perform songs you find here in classrooms and camps without the copyright owner’s permission. For all other performances, you must first obtain a performance license through BMI, SESAC or ASCAP or obtain the copyright owner’s express prior written permission.