Conjunction Junction video & lyrics – Schoolhouse Rock (1973)

Schoolhouse Rock Conjunction Junction video (1)

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Here’s one of the most unforgettable songs from Schoolhouse Rock — Conjunction Junction. One of the first in the “Grammar Rock” series, it made its debut on televisions nationwide in 1973.

The videos were described in newspapers of the time as “A series of 4-minute animated films designed to teach through action and original music and lively lyrics.”

Another introductory article from ’73 notes, “In the episode on conjunctions, a railroad switchman busies himself with hooking up clauses and phrases, which are represented by freight cars. The function of conjunctions, meanwhile, is explained in an Andrews Sisters blues style.”

In the case of “Conjunction,” the music was written by Bob Dorough, the lyrics by Jack Sheldon and Terri Morel, it was sung by Jack Sheldon and animated by the people at the commercial animation studio Phil Kimmelman & Associates.

Schoolhouse Rock Conjunction Junction video (4)


Grammar: Conjunction Junction – Hooking up phrases and clauses that balance

YouTube video

Vintage Schoolhouse Rock: Conjunction Junction lyrics

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
I got three favorite cars
That get most of my job done.
Conjunction Junction, what’s their function?
I got “and”, “but”, and “or”,
They’ll get you pretty far.

“And”:
That’s an additive, like “this and that”.
“But”:
That’s sort of the opposite,
“Not this *but* that”.
And then there’s “or”:
O-R, when you have a choice like
“This or that”.
“And”, “but”, and “or”,
Get you pretty far.

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two boxcars and making ’em run right.
Milk and honey, bread and butter, peas and rice.
Hey that’s nice!

Dirty but happy, digging and scratching,
Losing your shoe and a button or two.
He’s poor but honest, sad but true,
Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

ALSO SEE
Say, Say, Oh Playmate: We traced the story of this old song and hand clapping game, and have the lyrics

Schoolhouse Rock Conjunction Junction video (5)

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two cars to one
When you say something like this choice:
“Either now or later”
Or no choice:
“Neither now nor ever”
Hey, that’s clever!
Eat this or that, grow thin or fat,
Never mind, I wouldn’t do that,
I’m fat enough now!

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up phrases and clauses that balance, like:
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
He cut loose the sandbags,
But the balloon wouldn’t go any higher.

Let’s go up to the mountains,
Or down to the sea.
You should always say “thank you”
Or at least say “please.”

Schoolhouse Rock Conjunction Junction video (2)

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses
In complex sentences like:

“In the mornings, when I am usually wide awake,
I love to take a walk through the gardens and down by the lake,
Where I often see a duck and a drake,
And I wonder as I walk by
Just what they’d say if they could speak,
Although I know that’s an absurd thought.”

Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up cars and making ’em function.
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
I like tying up words and phrases and clauses.
Conjunction Junction, watch that function.

I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.

ALSO SEE
Schoolhouse Rock: A Noun Is a Person, Place or Thing (1973)

Schoolhouse Rock Conjunction Junction video (3)

MORE: Buy the classic TV segments here at Amazon!

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Comments on this story

3 Responses

  1. I have a Special Edition 2 CD set that contains every School House Rock cartoon that was made, plus a new bonus one that was created for their 30th Anniversay.

  2. The genius of School House Rock was that, if you’re a 70s kid, those songs are burned into your brain for all time. Whereas you probably forgot the same lessons taught in school long ago. How many 70s kids can still recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution from memory because they heard it in song form on School House Rock one Saturday morning? Plus, nearly every kid back then watched Saturday morning cartoons, so School House Rock reached a huge audience.

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