By Ken Craig
My daughter, Abbie, graduated from Primary earlier this year. The signs were there that the time had come. She had spoken in Stake Conference already, she had accompanied one of the songs during the always-anticipated annual Primary Program, and on her final Sunday in Primary, she cried during her talk and then hugged all of her leaders. I even overheard her tell one of them, “I hope you realize how much your sacrifices of time and diligence have impacted my spiritual journey.” She was speaking to the secretary in the Primary Presidency.

If I hearken back to 1982, I can remember the signs that it was time for me to graduate from Primary as well. They were different from Abbie’s. They involved my friend and me obnoxiously (but meticulously) air-drumming to all the Primary songs during Singing Time, and my mom explaining that I could no longer pull off donning a clip-on tie. (And I believe my wife thought both of these characteristics were endearing when we were dating. Admittedly, they have since lost some of their charm.)

Primary is a thrilling, enlightening time in a child’s life. The lessons, the class unity, the endless supply of games encouraging louder singing. And now that I am no longer busy air-drumming during them, I find there are really some wonderful lessons in those Primary songs; while addressing social issues and serving as moral compasses.

For example, the traditional song of spring, Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

Ah, Popcorn Popping. A mantra which delightfully conveys the allegory (that I just made up) of being grateful for whatever you get – because sometimes you plant an apricot tree and you get popcorn instead, and boy-howdy, you better just be glad you got some kind of food because these are difficult economic times and there are children starving in Africa who don’t have apricots or popcorn, so finish what’s on your plate and then do your chores, missy!

I know, I know – that allegory is probably lost on most Primary children. But you know, the seed is planted and at some point, they will see the hidden lessons in these songs. For example, the lessons of industry in Once There Was a Snowman, and how external influences like the sun can quickly devastate that which you have worked so diligently to build, like your 401K.

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman,

Once there was a snowman, tall, tall, tall.

In the sun he melted, melted, melted,

In the sun he melted small, small, small.

No, not all lessons are fun to learn. Or easy! But don’t our kids need to learn that if life were easy it wouldn’t be hard? I think I read that somewhere.

Finally, the introspective If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands causes one to pause and take account of their emotional well being. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Before I just clap, willy-nilly, let me ask myself some hard questions here. Am I really happy? Do I know it? Do I know it so well that I should clap to show it? Why am I not happy enough to clap? Wait a minute! I AM! I AM happy and I
DO know it! I’m going to clap like CRAZY!”

But in all sincerity, whether you learned the life lessons taught by Primary songs, or felt the seeds of your testimony take root as you sang them – or even if they simply brought a genuine sense of warmth to your soul (and they often did both for me), you must admit that an air drum solo is absolutely appropriate for everybody’s favorite activity hymn, Do As I’m Doing.