THE OFFICIAL JACK SHELDON WEBSITE

Presents



Schoolhouse Rock currently airs at approximately
10:56am & 11:26am EST Saturday mornings on ABC

Material Courtesy of Radford Stone, Tom Yohe & George Newall, ABC Television, Disney, ABC Video, Lava Records, Atlantic Records and Sean Powell at SchoolHouse Rock: The Unofficial Site

 

We're sure you remember those cute little clips between ABC-TV shows on Saturday mornings called SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK

It was originally run in the seventies and just recently revived.  The clips were designed by the co-owner of an advertising agency to help his son overcome school difficulties in a new and fun way. Kids (and adults) everywhere have fallen in love with the clever cartoons and the wonderful jazz-y soundtracks.

JACK SHELDON

was a featured vocalist on many of the SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK episodes.  His two most remembered performances are probably "Conjunction Junction" and "I'm Just A Bill".   

He's completed several new Schoolhouse Rock cartoons for ABC including Mr. Morton, Where The Money Goes, and Busy Prepositions.

 

CONJUNCTION JUNCTION

Facts

First Aired:

1973

Lyrics & Music: 

Bob Dorough

Performed by:

Jack Sheldon

Designed by:

Tom Yohe and Bill Peckmann

Animation by:

Phil Kimmelman and Associates

Trivia
Conjunction Junction was recorded on the same day as I'm Just a Bill, with the same band.  Jazz singer Terry Morel sings the chorus.

Multimedia (See & Hear!)
Play the song
(2MB MS Wave file).
Play the song
(450K RealAudio file).
Play the video
(8MB Quicktime file).

Lyrics

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.
Conjunction Junction, how's that function?
I've got three favorite cars that get most of my job done.
Conjunction Junction, what's their function?
I've 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 scratchin'.
Losing your shoe and a button or two,
He's poor but honest, sad but true,
Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

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?
Hookin' 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 seas.
You should always say Thank you,
Or at least say Please!

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hookin'-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 what they would say if they could speak, although I know that's an absurd thought."

Conjunction Junction, what's your function?
Hookin'-up cars and making them 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.

 

I'M JUST A BILL

First Aired: 1975
Lyrics & Music:  Dave Frishberg
Performed by: Jack Sheldon
Designed by: Tom Yohe
Animation by: Phil Kimmelman and Associates


Trivia
Jack Sheldon's son John is the voice of the little boy.


 Multimedia (See & Hear!)

Play the song
(2MB MS Wave file).
Play the song
(450K RealAudio file).
Play the video
(8MB Quicktime file).

Lyrics

Boy:

Whew! You sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?

I'm just a bill.
Yes, I'm only a bill.
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy:

Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage.

 BILL:

Well, I got this far. When I started I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman, and he said, "You're right, there oughta be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law. 

I'm just a bill
Yes I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill.
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law.
How I hope and pray that they will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy:

Listen to those Congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you.

BILL:

Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide toreport on me favorably, otherwise I may die.

 Boy:

Die?

 BILL:

Yeah, die in committee. Ooh, but it looks like I'm gonna live! NOW I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.

 Boy:

if they vote yes, what happens?

 BILL:

Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.

 Boy:

Oh no!

 BILL:

Oh yes!

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law.
HOW I hope and pray that he will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy:

You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?

BILL:

Yes, that's called a veto. If the president vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again, and by that time you're so old ...

 Boy:

By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?

BILL:

No!

 But how I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.

 MAN:

He signed you, Bill Now you're a law!

 BILL:

Oh yes!!!

 

For More Please Visit

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK: The Unofficial Site

Lot's Of Cool Information On The Series

DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ

This site is maintained as a personal site for the fans of JACK SHELDON, who was an integral part of the SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK series, and is in no way affiliated with the creators of SchoolHouse Rock (Radford Stone, Tom Yohe and George Newall), ABC Television, ABC Video, Lava Records, Atlantic Records

Schoolhouse Rock and the related titles from the Schoolhouse Rock series are registered trademarks of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc ("ABC"). Many of the graphics and other SchoolHouse Rock materials used in this site are also the copyrighted property of ABC and are being used here with ABC's permission (We did lift this info from  SchoolHouse Rock: The Unofficial Site, so hopefully they won't mind...Thanks, Sean!) . They may not be copied from this site or used in any manner without ABC's written permission. If you want to use or have any questions about any of these SchoolHouse Rock materials, please contact Jennifer Mayo at ABC (jennifer.e.mayo@abc.com).



Schoolhouse Rock currently airs at approximately
10:56am & 11:26am EST Saturday mornings on ABC

OR PURCHASE SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK FROM DISNEY

Disney
presents 
Schoolhouse Rock

Schoolhouse Rock takes children on a fantastic scholastic learning adventure! The same great songs you knew and loved as a kid are now available to a whole new generation. Each volume in this special collection features exclusive bonus programming of some of today's hottest rock stars singing their favorite Schoolhouse Rock song!

 

 

 

 

Schoolhouse Rock - America Rock

Schoolhouse Rock - Money Rock
New!

Schoolhouse Rock - Grammar Rock

 

America Rock

Money Rock

Grammar Rock

 

 

Schoolhouse Rock - Science Rock
Schoolhouse Rock - Multiplication Rock

Currently available in the United States and Canada. Videos may not be available in other countries. Please check your local video retailer for availability.

© Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO PURCHASE THE CD'S FROM

     

BIOGRAPHY            NEWS/CALENDAR            DISCOGRAPHY        FILM/TV      PHOTO GALLERY       LINKS       PRESS     HOME