The More We Get Together

"The More We Get Together" is a popular children's song that originated from an Austrian folk melody composed in 1847.

Origin: "Ach, du lieber Augustin"

The melody for this song comes from the Austrian folk song "Ach, du lieber Augustin" (Oh, dear Augustin), which dates back to the 17th century. That song tells the tale of Augustin, a Viennese balladeer who allegedly survived the Great Plague of Vienna in 1679 by being mistakenly thrown into a mass grave while drunk, only to wake up and climb out unharmed.

The cheerful melody was later adapted with English lyrics focusing on themes of friendship and togetherness, transforming a song about surviving plague into an uplifting celebration of companionship.

The English Version

The English lyrics we know today emphasize the joy of friendship and community. The song became particularly popular in American schools and summer camps during the mid-20th century, where its simple, repetitive structure made it easy for young children to learn and sing together.

Educational Value

The song is frequently used in early childhood education settings because:

• The repetitive lyrics help with language development
• The theme of friendship supports social-emotional learning
• The melody is easy to remember and sing
• It can be adapted to include children's names, making it personal and engaging

Variations

Teachers and parents often customize the song by inserting the names of children in the group, singing lines like "With [child's name] and [child's name]" to make each child feel included and celebrated. This adaptability has helped the song remain relevant in classrooms for generations.