Uploaded October 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
The Idaho Cities Song – to the tune of Modern Major General
Lyrics:
Idaho is sometimes known as Iowa or Ohio
But those who live here educate America because we know
Our cities look so pretty all year ‘round both in the sun and snow
So here’s a witty ditty since they’re tricky for both friend and foe
I am very well acquainted, too, with matters problematical
Because unless you consider yourself to be fanatical
About the Sawtooth Mountains to the Snake River they’re magical
Then learning all the names of towns would simply be impractical
Let’s have a look at some of the names here right now
The capital is Boise it is with an S and not a Z
It’s certainly not “Boyz” nor “Bwah,” no that would be an oddity
It’s Burley, Hailey, Oakley, Stanley, Sun Valley and Genesee
But Buhl it rhymes with mule and saying bull it just will never be
In Idaho Falls, Mountain Home, and Twin Falls you’ll surely manage
But if you call it “feeler” your reputation you will damage
So tell your mom and dad and kids next time you’re on the telephone
That Idaho is clearly unique we pronounce the town Shoshone
Ketchum is like ketchup with an m but not from tomatoes
Then north is Grangeville, Lewiston, and don’t forget Orofino
This next one is something that absolutely no one seems to know
The first is Declo with a long O, the same is true for Moscow
The letter A must be the favorite letter of the alphabet
There’s Ammon, Arco, Ashton, Almo, Albion, let’s not forget
Aberdeen, American Falls, Acequia, don’t you fret
If you’re like outsiders when you say Athol you might break a sweat
Athol. Athol!
Hagerman
Not “Hajerman”
It’s very plain
It’s Coeur d’Alene
You eat tuna
But say Kuna
Across the land
It’s Nampa, Meridian, Chubbock, and Gooding and --
A short vendetta operetta takes us all to Julietta
Walk your schnauzer up to Hauser, find directions in your browser
Minidoka, this is Huetter, this place is called Kamiah
Cassia, Malad, Owyhee, and Kootenai after the tribe
A Blissful afternoon might take you east to the town of Dubois
Then south and west to Castleford which rhymes with gourd and you’ll rejoice
It’s not wipey weepy wappy wuppy woppy Worley wipe
The E before I plus two Ps and that means you say it Weippe
Source: Idaho Pronunciation Guide (idahopressclub.org)
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The Idaho Cities Song – to the tune of Modern Major General
Lyrics:
Idaho is sometimes known as Iowa or Ohio
But those who live here educate America because we know
Our cities look so pretty all year ‘round both in the sun and snow
So here’s a witty ditty since they’re tricky for both friend and foe
I am very well acquainted, too, with matters problematical
Because unless you consider yourself to be fanatical
About the Sawtooth Mountains to the Snake River they’re magical
Then learning all the names of towns would simply be impractical
Let’s have a look at some of the names here right now
The capital is Boise it is with an S and not a Z
It’s certainly not “Boyz” nor “Bwah,” no that would be an oddity
It’s Burley, Hailey, Oakley, Stanley, Sun Valley and Genesee
But Buhl it rhymes with mule and saying bull it just will never be
In Idaho Falls, Mountain Home, and Twin Falls you’ll surely manage
But if you call it “feeler” your reputation you will damage
So tell your mom and dad and kids next time you’re on the telephone
That Idaho is clearly unique we pronounce the town Shoshone
Ketchum is like ketchup with an m but not from tomatoes
Then north is Grangeville, Lewiston, and don’t forget Orofino
This next one is something that absolutely no one seems to know
The first is Declo with a long O, the same is true for Moscow
The letter A must be the favorite letter of the alphabet
There’s Ammon, Arco, Ashton, Almo, Albion, let’s not forget
Aberdeen, American Falls, Acequia, don’t you fret
If you’re like outsiders when you say Athol you might break a sweat
Athol. Athol!
Hagerman
Not “Hajerman”
It’s very plain
It’s Coeur d’Alene
You eat tuna
But say Kuna
Across the land
It’s Nampa, Meridian, Chubbock, and Gooding and --
A short vendetta operetta takes us all to Julietta
Walk your schnauzer up to Hauser, find directions in your browser
Minidoka, this is Huetter, this place is called Kamiah
Cassia, Malad, Owyhee, and Kootenai after the tribe
A Blissful afternoon might take you east to the town of Dubois
Then south and west to Castleford which rhymes with gourd and you’ll rejoice
It’s not wipey weepy wappy wuppy woppy Worley wipe
The E before I plus two Ps and that means you say it Weippe
Source: Idaho Pronunciation Guide (idahopressclub.org)
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Go here → 983thesnake.com
Like us → facebook.com/983thesnake
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