Right. First things first, I know this hasn't technically got anything to do with ITM as such, but I'd appreciate it if you could bear with me. Secondly, although I've been playing for years and have heard plenty of tunes songs, I am not a singer, so I rarely retain lyrics or songs in my head. I find it hard enough to remember tune names.
I just wondered if anyone had any ideas about trad songs I might do with my primary school choir. If it helps, they're not going to kill the songs - they're an enthusiastic bunch and sing very well together, considering I've only had the choir going for 5 weeks. I have started other songs with them, but I would like to do some trad/folk songs with them.
Anyway, if you've not fallen off your chair through laughing yet, I'd appreciate your ideas. Thanks in advance.
They will never have a better start to life than learning some Woody Guthrie childrens songs. "I want my milk (I want it now)" would be a brilliant start. I vaguely recall that free milk used to be provided in primary schools but was cruelly snatched away by an evil baroness.
Hmm.. most folk songs I've heard generally centre around the themes of adultery, incest and murder, often in that order. But I'll try and find you some, if you like...
A lusty young smith at his vice stood a-filing.
His hammer laid by but his forge still aglow.
When to him a buxom young damsel came smiling,
And asked if to work in her forge he would go.
Rum, rum, rum. Rum, rum, rum.
In and out. In and out. Ho!
"I will," said the smith, and they went off together,
Along to the young damsel's forge they did go.
They stripped to go to it, 'twas hot work and hot weather.
They kindled a fire and she soon made him blow.
Her husband, she said, no good work could afford her.
His strength and his tools were worn out long ago.
The smith said "Well mine are in very good order,
And I am now ready my skill for to show."
Red hot grew his iron, as both did desire,
And he was too wise not to strike while 'twas so.
Said she, "What I get I get out of the fire,
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
Six times did his iron, by vigorous heating,
Grow soft in her forge in a minute or so,
But as often was hardened, still beating and beating,
But the more it was softened, it hardened more slow.
When the smith rose to go, quoth the dame full of sorrow:
"Oh, what would I give could my husband do so.
Good lad with your hammer come hither tomorrow,
But pray could you use it once more ere you go!"
hi, i have taught the kids in my class Go Move Shift and the Raggle Taggle Gypsy - the Christy Moore versions, and they love them. O ro se do bheatha abhaile is good too
Katie - Some years ago the BBC brought out a series of song books for primary school children. They contained songs and music from Ireland - Scotland - England and Wales as well as some from other countries. I think I have some of those books in my collection of songs. I'll come back to you on it.
Actually, on a more serious note (ha ha ha), here is one my Dad used to sing whenever I made a pathetic excuse fore not doing something (you could do call-and-response with boys and girls, or something):
Here's the tune
M: 3/4
K: G
GA | B2 D2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 GA | B2 D2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 A2 | G4
... repeated until you finish the song
HENRY: There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.
LIZA: Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it.
HENRY: With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I fix it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw.
HENRY: But the straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.
LIZA: Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.
HENRY: With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With a axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, an axe.
HENRY: But the axe is too blunt, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the axe is too blunt, dear Liza, too blunt.
LIZA: Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it.
HENRY: With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, a stone.
HENRY: But the stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry.
LIZA: Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it.
HENRY: With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water, dear Henry, dear Henry, water.
HENRY: With what shall I carry the water, dear Liza, with what shall I carry the water, with what?
LIZA: With a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with
a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, a bucket.
HENRY: But there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.....
Free Reed is quite correct, regarding the "nationalistic" songbook.
I sang in the BBC schools choir from the age of 7, as it was recorded at the school next door to me. We got paid 2/6d a term which was a plus, but you had to listen to yourself in the music lesson - a possible minus.
Recordings were made in one take in those days, and my claim to fame was being sick during a recording without spoiling the recording.
I was just as naughty then, and made up rude versions to all the songs and taught them to the rest of the naughty corner, which brought much needed mirth to the music lesson.
Coincidentally, the music master was called Cecil Sharpe.
Thanks for your replies everyone (particularly Joe :D ). I think there might be a Voiceworks book that Sandra Kerr might have been involved with, which has folk songs in it from around the British Isles. This sounds similar to your BBC recordings Geoff. The books cost a fortune though, so I'll have to save up. I wanted to try and do a few different songs rather than the usual, plus I wanted to try and use songs from a different variety of genres.
Trad songs for a primary school choir
Trad songs for a primary school choir
Right. First things first, I know this hasn't technically got anything to do with ITM as such, but I'd appreciate it if you could bear with me. Secondly, although I've been playing for years and have heard plenty of tunes songs, I am not a singer, so I rarely retain lyrics or songs in my head. I find it hard enough to remember tune names.
I just wondered if anyone had any ideas about trad songs I might do with my primary school choir. If it helps, they're not going to kill the songs - they're an enthusiastic bunch and sing very well together, considering I've only had the choir going for 5 weeks. I have started other songs with them, but I would like to do some trad/folk songs with them.
Anyway, if you've not fallen off your chair through laughing yet, I'd appreciate your ideas. Thanks in advance.
Katie
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by ManxFiddle
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
"The Star of the County Down" will suit them
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Red Robin
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
They will never have a better start to life than learning some Woody Guthrie childrens songs. "I want my milk (I want it now)" would be a brilliant start. I vaguely recall that free milk used to be provided in primary schools but was cruelly snatched away by an evil baroness.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by strayaway
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Hmm.. most folk songs I've heard generally centre around the themes of adultery, incest and murder, often in that order. But I'll try and find you some, if you like...
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Here's a goodun:
For to see my Tom of Bedlam, ten thousand miles I'd travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes, to save her shoes from gravel.
Still I sing bonnie boys, bonnie mad boys,
Bedlam boys are bonnie
For they all go bare and they live by the air,
And they want no drink nor money.
I went down to Satan's kitchen, for to beg me food one morning
There I got souls piping hot, all on the spit a turning.
There I picked up a cauldron, Where boiled ten thousand harlots
Though full of flame I drank the same, to the health of all such varlets.
My staff has murdered giants, my bag a long knife carries
For to cut mince pies from children's thighs, with which to feed the fairies.
Spirits white as lightning, shall on my travels guide me
The moon would quake and the stars would shake, when' ere they espied me.
No gypsy slut nor doxy, shall win my Mad Tom from me
I'll weep all night, the stars I'll fight, the fray will well become me.
It's when next I have murdered, the Man-In-The-Moon to powder
His staff I'll break, his dog I'll bake, they'll howl no demon louder.
So drink to Tom of Bedlam, he'll fill the seas in barrels
I'll drink it all, all brewed with gall, with Mad Maudlin I will travel.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Oh, and this one's brilliant:
A lusty young smith at his vice stood a-filing.
His hammer laid by but his forge still aglow.
When to him a buxom young damsel came smiling,
And asked if to work in her forge he would go.
Rum, rum, rum. Rum, rum, rum.
In and out. In and out. Ho!
"I will," said the smith, and they went off together,
Along to the young damsel's forge they did go.
They stripped to go to it, 'twas hot work and hot weather.
They kindled a fire and she soon made him blow.
Her husband, she said, no good work could afford her.
His strength and his tools were worn out long ago.
The smith said "Well mine are in very good order,
And I am now ready my skill for to show."
Red hot grew his iron, as both did desire,
And he was too wise not to strike while 'twas so.
Said she, "What I get I get out of the fire,
So prithee, strike home and redouble the blow."
Six times did his iron, by vigorous heating,
Grow soft in her forge in a minute or so,
But as often was hardened, still beating and beating,
But the more it was softened, it hardened more slow.
When the smith rose to go, quoth the dame full of sorrow:
"Oh, what would I give could my husband do so.
Good lad with your hammer come hither tomorrow,
But pray could you use it once more ere you go!"
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
I would go with the star of the county down.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
If I might make a suggestion, my students have always enjoyed singing The Unicorn Song as well as Marching Inland.
This is for kids from grades K-6th grade.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by acaretta
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
hi, i have taught the kids in my class Go Move Shift and the Raggle Taggle Gypsy - the Christy Moore versions, and they love them. O ro se do bheatha abhaile is good too
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by ainenil
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Katie - Some years ago the BBC brought out a series of song books for primary school children. They contained songs and music from Ireland - Scotland - England and Wales as well as some from other countries. I think I have some of those books in my collection of songs. I'll come back to you on it.
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Actually, on a more serious note (ha ha ha), here is one my Dad used to sing whenever I made a pathetic excuse fore not doing something (you could do call-and-response with boys and girls, or something):
Here's the tune
M: 3/4
K: G
GA | B2 D2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 GA | B2 D2 D2 | E2 G2 D2 | E2 G2 A2 | G4
... repeated until you finish the song
HENRY: There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.
LIZA: Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it.
HENRY: With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I fix it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw.
HENRY: But the straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.
LIZA: Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.
HENRY: With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With a axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, an axe.
HENRY: But the axe is too blunt, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the axe is too blunt, dear Liza, too blunt.
LIZA: Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it.
HENRY: With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, a stone.
HENRY: But the stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry.
LIZA: Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it.
HENRY: With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?
LIZA: With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water, dear Henry, dear Henry, water.
HENRY: With what shall I carry the water, dear Liza, with what shall I carry the water, with what?
LIZA: With a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with
a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, a bucket.
HENRY: But there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.....
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
There are a number of songs that have been set for choirs, for example
The Lark in the Clear Air
Down By The Sally Gardens
You could also try "The Waters of Tyne" which would be of English origin. My son has sung it in a children's choir.
I think strictly ITM songs probably don't translate well to a choir, so thinking more towards the "Folk" style might yield better results
# Posted on November 9th 2008 by southsider
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Free Reed is quite correct, regarding the "nationalistic" songbook.
I sang in the BBC schools choir from the age of 7, as it was recorded at the school next door to me. We got paid 2/6d a term which was a plus, but you had to listen to yourself in the music lesson - a possible minus.
Recordings were made in one take in those days, and my claim to fame was being sick during a recording without spoiling the recording.
I was just as naughty then, and made up rude versions to all the songs and taught them to the rest of the naughty corner, which brought much needed mirth to the music lesson.
Coincidentally, the music master was called Cecil Sharpe.
# Posted on November 10th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
And the programme was hosted by William Appleby.
# Posted on November 10th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Thanks for your replies everyone (particularly Joe :D ). I think there might be a Voiceworks book that Sandra Kerr might have been involved with, which has folk songs in it from around the British Isles. This sounds similar to your BBC recordings Geoff. The books cost a fortune though, so I'll have to save up. I wanted to try and do a few different songs rather than the usual, plus I wanted to try and use songs from a different variety of genres.
# Posted on November 11th 2008 by ManxFiddle
Re: Trad songs for a primary school choir
Anything of use here ?
http://www.singup.org
Looks like there is some trad in their 'song bank'
# Posted on November 11th 2008 by David50