The Sorting Hat’s First Song

Here is the Sorting Hat’s First Song. Those of you who know me will recognise that I’m tipping my cap to my hero, Martin Carthy in this tune/guitar combination. I’m hoping he’ll sing it to Eliza’s two sprogs!


Here it is …

as an audio download

as a pdf (sheet music)

as a pdf (words only)

and here are the words again:-

Oh, you may not think I’m pretty, but don’t judge on what you see,
I’ll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me.

So put me on! Don’t be afraid! And you won’t get in a flap!
You’re safe in my hands (though I have none) for I’m a Thinking Cap!

You can keep your bowlers black, your tops hats sleek and tall,
For I’m the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and I can cap them all.

There’s nothing hidden in your head the Sorting Hat can’t see,
So try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin you’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends.