A goofy movement song where scouts act out peeling, chopping, and eating bananas.
Also called Go Bananas and Peel Bananas.
This song has movements – see recordings to learn the traditional movements.
Recordings
Lyrics
Bananas Unite! <Hold arms above head, hands together>
Bananas Split! <open arms and place at sides>
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas,
<Hold arms above head, slowly wind them down, one at a time>
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas, <Repeat>
Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas, <Repeat>
Bananas Unite! <Hold arms above head, hands together>
Each verse repeats 3 times (some variations use only two repeats):
NOTE: Scouts can pick and choose which verses to do – most variations do not use all the possible verses.
- Slice bananas, slice, slice, bananas
<Hold hands flat, and slice sideways> - Mash bananas, mash, mash bananas
<Grind hands together> - Eat bananas, eat, eat, bananas
<Pretend to eat bananas with both hands> - Go bananas, go, go, bananas
<Jump up and down, shake body, be silly>
Potato
- Form potato, form, form potato
<Form potato by raising arms above head> - Peel potato, peel, peel potato
<Lower one arm at a time> - Mash potato, mash, mash potato
<Stomp, jump on floor>
Orange
- Form an orange, form, form an orange
<Lift arms above head in shape of a circle> - Peel an orange, peel, peel an orange
<Lower one arm at a time> - Squeeze an orange, squeeze, squeeze an orange
<Hug yourself OR Turn to neighbor and hug/squeeze them>
Apple
- Form the apple form form the apple
<Lift arms above head in shape of a circle> - Now peel the apple peel peel the apple
<Lower one arm at a time> - Now chop the apple chop chop the apple
<Pretend arms are knives and chop in front of you>
House
- Build the house, build, build the house
<Arms form roof over head> - Paint the house, paint, paint the house
<Paint an imaginary wall OR ‘Paint’ your neighbor> - Rock the house, rock, rock the house
<Dance>
Corn
- Form some corn, form, form some corn
<Arms above head in corn shape> - Shuck some corn, shuck, shuck some corn
<Lower one arm at a time> - Pop some corn, pop, pop some corn
<Thrust arms out and ‘Pop’ hands open OR Jump and clap your hands>
Cow
- Form the cow, form, form the cow
<Kneel down on hands and knees> - Tip the cow, tip, tip the cow
<Roll over onto your back> - Have a cow! Have, have a cow!
<Shake arms and legs in the air>
Mullet
- Form the mullet, form, form the mullet
<Slick back your hair> - Gel the mullet, gel, gel the mullet
<Rub hands in hair> - Rock the mullet! Rock, rock the mullet!
<Nod head vigorously>
Pistachio
- Form the pistachio, form, form the pistachio
<Lift arms above head in shape of a circle> - Now crack the pistachio, crack, crack the pistachio
<Lower one arm at a time while flicking the hand> - Now wear a mustachio, wear, wear a mustachio
<Bob back and forth while holding finger up like a mustache>
Variations
Add “First you”, “Then you”, “Now you”, etc. before the start of each verse
Start with Pick bananas instead of peel bananas:
Pick bananas, pick, pick bananas
<reach up and pick bananas from a tree>
History
“Bananas Unite” (also known as “Go Bananas”) is a traditional cumulative action chant that emerged during the late 20th century. Unlike earlier campfire ballads, this chant represents a shift toward high-energy, rhythmic spirit activities used to build group cohesion and transition between events.
Scouts and campers have added numerous variations over decades, including the “Potato,” “Mullet,” and “Pistachio” verses, ensuring the chant stays relevant to each new generation’s sense of humor.
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)
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Click Here -> To see information References:
Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- Bananas Unite Lyrics (with Actions). Florida Department of State, https://files.floridados.gov/media/699548/bananasunitelyrics.pdf. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
- chrispallatto. “Peel Bananas.” Ultimate Camp Resource, 9 Aug. 2019, https://ultimatecampresource.com/camp-songs/songs-with-motions/peel-bananas/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
- Cole. “Scout Songs: The 7 Best Campfire Songs to Sing with Your Troop – ScoutSmarts.” ScoutSmarts, 9 July 2021, https://scoutsmarts.com/scout-campfire-songs/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
- “Go Bananas Camping Song Lyrics Midi.” Campingdude.com, 2025, https://www.campingdude.com/content/song/go_bananas-614.asp. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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