Walking is Good Exercise
As I was walking down the street,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
A pretty girl I chance to meet,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Chorus
Rig-a-jig-jig and away we go, away we go, away we go,
Rig-a-jig-jig and away we go, heigho, heigho, heigho,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho,
Rig-a-jig-jig and away we go, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Said I to her "What is your trade?",
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
She said to me "I'm a weaver's maid,"
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Repeat Chorus
"Oh may I take a walk with you?"
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
"Yes sir, we'll walk to O. S. U.,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Repeat Chorus
Oh, I would rather walk, than not,"
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
"Let's walk where we'll see Dr. Scott,"
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Repeat Chorus
Walking is good exercise, good exercise, good exercise,
Walking is good exercise, for prexy told us so,
Walking is good exercise, good exercise, good exercise,
Walking is good exercise, for prexy told us so,
He told us so, he told us so,
He told us so, he told us so,
Walking is good exercise, for prexy told us so,
We want to get on the football team,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
But our average is too low, it is too low,
Heigho, heigho, heigho, heigho.
Repeat Chorus
So here it is, the silliest song by far in both song books and a song that remained popular through at least 1916. There is notation at the bottom of the score that says "Recommended daily by Dr. Scott". Dr. Scott is also mentioned in the song, as well. The Dr. Scott was Dr. William Henry Scott, president of Ohio State from 1883 - 1895. This song is definitely making good fun of Dr. Scott's philosophy that to have a strong mind, you need to exercise to have a strong body. While there is no author to the song, one must infer that it dates from the term of Dr. Scott, and after Ohio State began to field a football team, e.g. 1890 - 95. This song was introduced by the Men's Glee Club on 1 March, 1893.
Photo: Undated President William Henry Scott, Courtesy of Ohio University
Please e-mail any comments, problems or suggestions to njmetrowsky@gmail.com
Webmaster: Nick Metrowsky
The Ohio State University, BA, History, 1979
Life Member The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Life Member of The Ohio State University President's Club
Annual Member of The Ohio State University Varsity "O" Association
Last Updated: 23 September, 2021
