Hash House Harriers Complete Hymnal

Hash Hymn Project - Comprehensive Edition

About Hash House Harriers Songs

Hash songs are bawdy, crude, always meant to be funny, and never taken seriously. They are a central part of Hash House Harrier culture, sung during "circle" gatherings after runs and at drinking events.

This hymnal starts with the most commonly requested songs, followed by additional songs from the comprehensive collection.

Part 1: Most Commonly Requested Songs

Hare Songs (For Trail Layers)

BLESS THESE HARES
Tune: Traditional grace/blessing
Occasion: Before hare down-downs, thanking trail layers
Blessing song to honor (or mock) the hares before their down-down.
Bless these hares, bless this trail, Coppus no catch us, farmer no shoot us, Doggus no bite us, heatus no stroke us, Plenty of cold beer to drink, Coitus non interruptus.
THE HARE SONG
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: Hare down-downs, good or bad trail
General purpose song for trail layers.
Here's to the hares, they're true blue. They are hashers through and through. They are piss-pots, so they say. They tried to get to heaven, but they went the other way. Drink it down, down, down.
SHIGGY / SHITTY TRAIL
Tune: Original
Occasion: Badly marked trail, too much shiggy (rough terrain)
Song for complaining about poorly marked trail or excessive undergrowth, mud, and difficult terrain. Can be sung sarcastically or genuinely.
S-H-I-T-T-Y, T-R-A-I-L. Shitty trail, it sucked! Shitty trail, it blew! The mother fuckers set a shitty trail. I'd rather drink this beer, than run your shitty trail.

Violations & Accusations

TAGLESS
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: Hashers not wearing name tags
Down-down for forgetting or refusing to wear hash name tags.
You seem somewhat forgetful, Remind you maybe this will. Next time you come don't be so dumb, And bring your fucking tag! Drink it down, down, down, down.
WHISTLE
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: Blowing whistle on trail (forbidden for non-hares)
Accusation for unauthorized whistle blowing on trail.
You seem to be forgetful. Remind you, maybe this will. So drink your beer, get out of here, And bring your fucking whistle!
SHAME
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: General shameful behavior
Simple chant to shame hashers for various infractions.
PERFORMANCE:
Circle chants "Shame! Shame! Shame!" while pointing.
Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Know your name! Drink it down, down, down!
TECHNOLOGY
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: Using phones/GPS on trail, technology violations
Accusation song for hashers using technology during the hash - GPS, phones, fitness trackers, or any electronic devices that defeat the purpose of following chalk/flour trail marks.
PERFORMANCE:
Called out for relying on technology instead of trail skills.
Take my iPhone, my GPS How could you be so crass? Dip it in some Astroglide And shove it up my ass. Text me once, call me twice. You won't hear a sound. But if you put it on vibrate first. You'll melt my prostate down down down down… Hash House H-A-R-R-I-E-R.

Birthdays

HASHY BIRTHDAY
Tune: "Happy Birthday to You"
Occasion: Hasher birthdays
Hash version of Happy Birthday.
PERFORMANCE:
"Hashy birthday, fuck you" (repeat 4 times)
Hashy birthday, fuck you, Hashy birthday, fuck you, Hashy birthday, you asshole, Hashy birthday, fuck you.
WHY WAS HE/SHE BORN SO BEAUTIFUL?
Tune: Traditional
Occasion: Birthdays, special achievements, sarcastic recognition
Can be used sincerely or ironically depending on the accusation.
Why was he born so beautiful? Why was he born at all? He's no fuckin' use to anyone, He's no fuckin' use at all. He's offensive to the eye! He's offensive to the ear! So drink it down, down, down, down...

Visitors & Virgins

VISITORS
Tune: Various
Occasion: Visiting hashers from other kennels
Recognition for hashers visiting from other cities or countries.
Three visiting hashers came over here, Parlez vous? Three visiting hashers came over here, Parlez vous? Three visiting hashers came over here, To fuck our women and drink our beer, Inky pinky parley vous, oh blimey.
MEET THE HASHERS
Tune: "The Flintstones Theme"
Occasion: Welcoming visitors, general down-downs
Introduces hash culture and welcomes visitors to the kennel.
GESTURES:
None specific, but can add TV-watching or prehistoric motions.
Hashers, meet the hashers, We're the biggest drunks in history, From the town of [local town], We're the leaders in debauchery. Half minds, trailing shiggy through the years, Watch them as they down a lot of beers, Down down, down down down down, Down down down down down down down down down, Down down, down down down, Down down down down down down.
VIRGINS (WE'VE GOT VIRGINS)
Tune: "Frere Jacques"
Occasion: First-time hashers, virgin initiation
THE virgin song, sung after demonstrating the down-down ritual. Credits: Mud Fucker and Greatful Head, Bay City HHH
We've got virgins, We've got virgins, At our hash, At our hash, Gonna get 'em drunked up, Gonna get 'em fucked up, Down the hatch, Up the ass.

End of Circle

INTERNATIONAL HASH HYMN
Tune: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
Type: Official Hash Hymn
Occasion: End of circle, closing ceremony for all hash events
This is THE official hash hymn, sung at the end of most hash circles worldwide.
GESTURES:
  • "Swing low" - Clasp hands together and swing low
  • "Sweet" - Kiss your fingers
  • "Chariot" - Snap invisible reins like driving a chariot
  • Incorrect gestures = buy next round in drinking game version
VARIATIONS:
  • Scooby-Doo: Sing with "Rooby-Roo" sounds
  • Helen Keller: Gestures only, no sound
  • Silent: Mouth words silently with gestures
  • Humming: Hum melody with gestures
Chorus: Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home. Verse 1: I looked over Jordan, and what did I see? Coming for to carry me home. A band of angels coming after me, Coming for to carry me home. (Chorus) Verse 2: If you get there before I do, Coming for to carry me home. Tell all my friends I'm coming too, Coming for to carry me home. (Chorus)

Part 2: Specialty Songs

HEAD, WHO SAID HEAD?
Tune: Original chant
Occasion: Someone says the word "head" in circle
Circle violation - saying "head" triggers this call-out.
PERFORMANCE:
Circle yells "Who said head?!" - violator does down-down.
Head! Who said head? I'll take some of that, And I did, and it was good, And there was much rejoicing! And then we fucked. We fucked for hours, Uprooting trees, shrubs, & flowers, Scaring small children and woodland animals, We fucked like Vikings, With horns upon ours heads! Head! Who said head? I'll take some of that!
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS
Tune: "The Addams Family Theme"
Type: Short Song
Occasion: General down-downs, introducing hash culture to new members
References "shiggy tracking" (running through rough terrain/undergrowth). One of the most popular and recognizable hash songs. Written by: Jim "Whiff" Montgomery, Pittsburgh H3
GESTURES:
Snap fingers on "da da da da" parts (like the original theme)
(Chorus:) Duh-duh-duh-duh, (snap snap) Duh-duh-duh-duh, (snap snap) Duh-duh-duh-duh, Duh-duh-duh-duh, Duh-duh-duhduh. (snap snap) Their running is convulsive, Their drinking is compulsive. They're morally repulsive, The Hash House Harriers. (Chorus)
ZICKE ZACKE (SHIGGY SHAGGY)
Tune: Original German toast chant
Type: Circle Ritual Chant
Occasion: Circle violations - repeating announcements, accusations, or songs
Used to shame hashers who repeat an accusation, announcement, or song. Members surround the offender and chant until they finish their down-down. Note: "Shiggy" refers to rough terrain, undergrowth, mud, or difficult trail conditions that hashers encounter.
PERFORMANCE:
Circle members surround violator and chant "Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoy, hoy, hoy!" (or "Shiggy shaggy, shiggy shaggy, oi, oi, oi!")
VARIATIONS with gestures:
  • Helicopter: Rotate arm overhead
  • Motorcycle: Twist throttle motion
  • Locomotive: Chug arms like train wheels
  • Motorboat: Motorboat lips sound
  • Postal Worker: Lick and stamp motion
(Leader:) Zicke Zacke Zicke Zacke! (Group:) Hoy! Hoy! Hoy! (Leader:) Zicke Zacke Zicke Zacke! (Group:) Hoy! Hoy! Hoy! (Leader:) Shiggy Shaggy Shiggy Shaggy! (Group:) Oi! Oi! Oi!

Part 3: Comprehensive Hymnal

This section contains additional songs from the comprehensive collection of 100+ hash songs. For the complete collection with all lyrics, please refer to the source file.

Song Categories

  • Short Songs: Quick songs for down-downs and circle ceremonies (1-2 verses)
  • Long Songs: Extended songs with multiple verses (3+ verses)
  • Hare Songs: Songs for trail layers
  • Virgin Songs: Initiation songs for first-timers
  • Birthday Songs: Celebratory songs
  • Down-Down Songs: Drinking ritual songs
  • Military Songs: Branch-specific parodies
  • Holiday Songs: Seasonal hash songs
  • Warm-Up Songs: Participation songs to start circle
  • Limericks & Poetry: Crude verses and rhymes
  • Spelling Songs: Letter-by-letter participation songs

Common Hash Violations Reference

Quick reference guide for violations and their corresponding songs.

Circle Etiquette

  • No Name Tag: Tagless
  • Repeating in Circle: Zicke Zacke
  • Making Excuses: Bullshit
  • Long Talking: Thank God Finally Shut Up
  • Saying "Head": Head, Who Said Head?

Gear & Clothing

  • New Shoes: Down-down offense (mandatory)
  • Wearing Hash Gear to Work: Down-down offense
  • Visible Nipples: N I P P L E S
  • Visible Underwear: God Bless My Underpants

Trail Violations

  • Technology/GPS Use: Technology
  • Shortcutting: Chicken Super Team
  • FRB/DFL: Front Running Bastard / Dead Fucking Last
  • Whistle Blowing: Whistle

Physical

  • Visible Blood/Injuries: Blood (End of the Month)
  • Slow Drinking: Why Are We Waiting?

Celebrations

  • Birthdays: Hashy Birthday / Why Was He Born So Beautiful?
  • Visitors: Visitors / Meet the Hashers
  • Virgins: We've Got Virgins

General

  • Stupid Behavior: You're Stupid
  • Shameful Behavior: Shame
  • Religious References: Jesus Can't Go Hashing

Resources & Performance Tips

Common Tunes Used for Hash Parodies

Most Popular:

  • "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" (5+ hash songs)
  • "Happy Birthday to You"
  • "Do-Re-Mi" (Sound of Music)
  • "I've Been Working on the Railroad"
  • Traditional sea shanties and military songs

Children's Songs:

  • "Frere Jacques"
  • "I'm a Little Teapot"
  • "If You're Happy and You Know It"
  • "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"

TV/Movie Themes:

  • The Addams Family
  • The Flintstones
  • Looney Tunes theme

Performance Tips by Song Type

Down-Down Songs:

  • Sung AFTER the accusation is stated
  • Followed by "Drink it down, down, down..."
  • Hasher must finish beer before leaving circle
  • Can sing "Why Are We Waiting?" if they're too slow

Long Songs:

  • Can be shortened if circle energy is low
  • Good for "on-afters" at the bar
  • Often have many optional verses to choose from

Call and Response:

  • One person or group leads
  • Circle repeats or responds
  • Creates participation and energy

Participation/Gesture Songs:

  • Everyone does motions together
  • Mistakes in gestures may mean additional down-downs
  • Great for including new hashers

Additional Resources

For complete lyrics and additional songs, consult these Hash House Harrier chapter hymnals:

  • The Half-Mind Hymnal by Paul "Flying Booger" Woodford (800+ songs)
  • Hash House Harriers Songbook App (299 songs, iOS & Android)
  • Chicago Hash House Harriers Songbook
  • Madison Hash House Harriers Songs
  • Memphis Hash House Harriers Hymnal
  • Athens Hash House Harriers Songs & Rituals
  • Phoenix Hash House Harriers (hash-hymnal.wikidot.com)

Many local hash kennels maintain their own hymnals with regional variations and original compositions.

↑