Janie Thompson - Songs and Arrangements

          Over her many years of directing shows that toured the world, Janie Thompson, creative director of the BYU Program Bureau for more than 30 years, was known for her entertaining arrangements and brilliant lyrics.  She gained quite a reputation for rewriting the lyrics to familiar songs to fit any occasion.  Particularly fun were the Tribute Songs for the BYU Football and Basketball teams through the 1950's-1980's.  Those of us lucky enough to be related to her got special tribute songs written to and about us for our weddings.  Offered here are some of her original songs and arrangements of familiar tunes. To get to know this wonderfully talented lady better, take some time to read her autobiographical Life Sketch or watch the documentary about her Janie Thompson - A Performance of Faith.

U.S. Constitution Medley

Medley of familiar Patriotic songs as well as Janie's original piece written about the ratification of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1779, "We the People." Janie loved America and lifted her voice in defense of this great nation and the Constitution.

A Flag for Freedom

Original Patriotic song written for a 4th of July celebration, "We the People," and premiered by two young boys.  Well-suited for 2-part children's chorus.

Christmas Day Round
SAB or 3-Part Treble

This charming round is actually three partner songs meant to be sung as a round. Perfect for use as a Choir warm-up song.

Take Me Out to the 
Ball Game

This version presents a different take on the traditional song with new lyrics and additional verses for both football and baseball fans. It's a friendly rivalry!  Janie Thompson re-wrote the refrain for the football fans, and I added the verses for both football and baseball fans.

Turkey in the Pan

A Thanksgiving parody song to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw." We remember singing this before eating Thanksgiving dinner every year.  Janie, of course, would change the last line every year to reflect the date. One year it went like this: "Oh, this is how we celebrate this Thanksgiving Day of Nineteen Seventy-eight."

Don't Wait 'til the Night Before Christmas to Be Good

Janie introduced this song to our family in the early 1960's.  We sang it on many of Janie's shows and then have continued using it in our own families.  I added the accompaniment because Janie rarely wrote down anything but the vocals and a few chord symbols.

The Christmas Alphabet

My brothers and sisters and I grew up singing this song every Christmas.  My mother taught it to us, even though she learned it from her sister Janie.  Once, we sang it on a program where Janie had changed all the words to Easter lyrics. I created this arrangement from the many iterations of hearing it played by my mom and Aunt Janie.

"Jingle Bells" a la Janie

Janie learned early in her life that she needed to make any song she performed "her own."  I grew up thinking that many of the popular songs she sang were her original songs, because no one could sing them like she did.  This version of "Jingle Bells" has what I call a "Janie Ending."  She had such a great way of jazzing up the song for an un-forgetable finish.  This is one is a classic.