Folk songs every kid should learn
Andrew Stevens
|>
|> I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
|> folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
|> classes. Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
|> can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
|> Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
|> already a must!!)
Some ones that I consider very important (!!):
This Land is Your Land
If I Had a Hammer
Blowing in the Wind
and of course: Prisoners of Their Hairdos.
--andy
Matt Cohen
2. City of New Orleans
3. Inch by Inch (the Garden Song)
4. Country Road
Gary Ross
I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
classes. Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
already a must!!)
Peace, Jeanne
Walter Nelson
: I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
: classes. Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
: can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
: Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
I assume that you are teaching Elementary School. By High School, most
kids are too cool to sing.
That very much depends on your agenda (and all educators have an agenda).
Mine is teaching history through music, so I would choose songs that said
something about American history (an English repspondent would, of course
have a different list). These might be, in no particular order...
NB In all cases, these songs would be the "clean version".
Yankee Doodle
Drill ye Terriers Drill
Sweet Betsy From Pike
John Henry
Banks of the Sacramento
Dixie
Rally 'Round the Flag
Over There
Motherless Child
Drunken Sailor
Of course, there are a zillion other great historical folk songs that
should be included, and if I gave it any thought, I imagine I would probably
change some of them, but off the top of my head, there is my list.
Note also: I tried to pick songs kids could get into. I would have a
somewhat different list for a bunch of adults.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Nelson | INSERT PITHY WITTICISM HERE
RAND |
walter...@rand.org |
___________________________________________________________________________
Robin E. Baylor
:
: Fish (round)
: "Fish gonna swim, birds gonna fly, I'm gonna love that man till I die"
:
As long as you're doing "Fish", don't do it in a round with itself. Do it
with (or against) "Heart & Soul" and "Blue Moon". Loads of fun ;-)
--
How do I get out of this chicken-feed outfit?
REB
Peter McGovern
>In <3lubno$7...@bristlecone.together.net> Gary Ross <ro...@together.net> writes:
>>Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
>>can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
>>Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
>>already a must!!)
>>Peace, Jeanne
>My first introduction to folk music was at camp (Camp Oconto, 1977-1984). I
>don't know the names of the artists who wrote and performed the songs.
I also came across folk songs at camp (Camp Dark Waters 1958-1964)
1. Mud
"A bold hippopatamus was standing one day, by the banks of the cool
shalimar"
2. Sinking of the Titanic
3. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
4. Andy Kootchacacthy Kamatosa Nearatossa nova semi kami wacki brown
(fell into the well)
5. I've got sixpence
6. Oh, You Can't Get To Heaven
7. Desperado (The Big Bad Man Was a)
8. Shel Silverstein's "You're Always Welcome at Our House"
That's all for now.
Elizabeth Henson
>Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
>can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
>Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
>already a must!!)
>Peace, Jeanne
My first introduction to folk music was at camp (Camp Oconto, 1977-1984). I
don't know the names of the artists who wrote and performed the songs.
I learned them by singing them.
My favorites...(in no particular order)
House at Pooh Corner
"Christopher Robin and I walked along 'neith the branches lit up by the
moon..."
Jet Plane
"All my bags are packed I'm ready to go, I'm standing here outside your door"
One Tin Soldier
"Listen children to a story that was written long ago, 'bout a kingdom on
a mountain, and the valley folk below"
Changes
"Sit by my side, come as close as the air, share in a memory of change"
Circle game
"Yesterday a child went out to wander, caught a dragonfly inside a jar"
Fish (round)
"Fish gonna swim, birds gonna fly, I'm gonna love that man till I die"
Free to Be
"There's a land that I see, where the children are free..."
M.T.A.
"Let me tell you a story 'bout a man named Charlie on a tragic and
fathfull day..."
Today
"Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine, I'll eat your
strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine"
This land is your land
"This land is your land, this land is my land, from Bonivista to Vancouver
Island, from the Artic circle to the Great Lake waters, this land is
made for you and me"
Both Sides
"Bows and flows of angels hair, and ice cream castles in the air, and
feathered canyons everywhere, I've looked at life that way..."
I'll stop now...
Richard Darsie
> Okay, here's one for you.
>
> I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
> folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
> classes. Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
> can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
> Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
> already a must!!)
Here are my entries (not in order of preference):
1. Day is Done (Peter Paul & Mary)
2. Mail Myself to You (Woody Guthrie)
3. Howjadoo (Woody Guthrie)
4. M T A ("He's the man who never returned")
5. The Keeper ("Jackie boy?" "Master?" "Sing ye well?" "Very well.")
6. Turning Toward the Morning (Gordon Bok)
7. Jennie Jenkins ("Will you wear white, oh my dear, oh my dear?")
8. Coulter's Candy ("Ally bally, ally bally bee...")
9. Stewball (trad. sung by Peter Paul & Mary)
10. I've Been Working on the Railroad
BTW, I must say that I disagree with the person who listed "Both Sides
Now"...the subject matter seems to me to be inappropriate for
preadolescents...why should young children learn a song about
disillusionment? They'll find out about it soon enough. IMHO.
Richard Darsie
dar...@ece.ucdavis.edu
Paul Grunau
>I also came across folk songs at camp (Camp Dark Waters 1958-1964)
>
>1. Mud
>
>"A bold hippopatamus was standing one day, by the banks of the cool
>shalimar"
>
originally performed by Flanders and Swann on their album "At the Drop
of a Hat". They wrote song of the wittiest and most literate songs I've
ever heard. They wrote many "animal songs" which would be suitable for
kids, including "The Gnu Song" and the entire album "The Bestiary of
Flanders and Swann".
Adam Price
A Capitol Ship
(. . .for an ocean trip was the walloping window blind
No wind that blew dismayed her crew
nor troubled the captains mind)
Froggie went a courting
The Foxes
(The fox went out on a chilly night, prayed to the moon etc. . .)
This Land is Your Land
Good King Wenceslas
The Wassail Song
Down in the Valley
All God's Children
(Bill Staines)
Heart of the Appaloosa
(Fred Small)
Guantanamera
Las Posadas
VICTORIA CROSS
John Denver (hit for Peter, Paul, and Mary) for Jet Plane
Phil Ochs for Changes
Joni Mitchell for Both Sides Now and The Circle Game
"The Free To Be You and Me" songbook, published by Ms Foundation
That T
That "Charlie on the MTA" was a hit for the Kingston Trio, that it's a
rrewrite of a popular song, and that the lyrics refer to an issue in the
Boston mayoral election (raising transit fares
RC...@maine.maine.edu
I enjoyed reading this list of folk music for children, but as I read it one th
ing really surprised me. The lyrics for "This land is your land" were listed a
s .. This land is your land, this land is my land, from Bonivista to Vancouver
Island, from the Arctic circle to the Great Lake waters...
As an American, I learned the lyrics ... from California to the New York Island
from the red wood forest, to the Gulf stream waters...
I didn't realize that there was a Canadian version of this wonderful song.
I know that Woody Guthrie wrote the song and I assume he wrote the California/N
ew York lyrics. I am curious to know who gets credit for the Canadian translat
ion and whether Canadians know the American version. Does anyone know?
Thanks
Rebecca
ion and how long it
Jane Peppler
>|> I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
>|> folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
>|> classes.
The Golden Vanity
Dark as a Dungeon
Istanbul (not Constantinople)
The Great Silkie
William Glenn
Deborah Stevenson
>ehe...@cc.umanitoba.ca (Elizabeth Henson) writes:
>:
>: Fish (round)
>: "Fish gonna swim, birds gonna fly, I'm gonna love that man till I die"
>:
>As long as you're doing "Fish", don't do it in a round with itself. Do it
>with (or against) "Heart & Soul" and "Blue Moon". Loads of fun ;-)
By those esteemed folk composers Jerome Kern and, for Blue Moon, Rodgers
and Hart :-). Does this mean I can vote for "I Wish I Were In Love
Again" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"--the sexy version?
Deborah Stevenson
(stev...@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu)
JaneHYolen
WInd, and one other I forget--are not folksongs at all. Just in case a
billion other folks haven't mentioned this to you! You might, however,
look at two books I did with my son Adam Stemple (of Boiled in
Lead)--MOTHER GOOSE SONG BOOK and OLD MACDONALD'S SONG BOOK. (Both Boyds
Mill Press.)
--Jane Yolen
Jerry Dallal
: Okay, here's one for you.
: I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
: folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
: classes. Some people think I teach too many folk songs. I say you
: can never get enough. So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
: Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
: already a must!!)
I wouldn't have included PMD for two reasons (1) it only satisfies the
(to my taste) broad defintion of folk music that causes the term to lose
most of its meaning, and (2) it wouldn't bother me (that is, I wouldn't
feel the culture were getting lost) if children didn't know PMD. But
there are *some* folk songs that *every* kid should know that *many* *
don't*. My list (*every* kid should know) would include
The bear went over the mountain
Clementine
She'll be comin' 'round the mountain
Paw-paw patch
Old MacDonald
Old grey mare
I've been working on the railroad
Oh, Suzanna
and the like. I'm afraid to guess how many 10 year olds wouldn't know
all of these.
David Wald
(JaneHYolen) writes:
>Andy--the "folk songs" you mention--If I had a Hammer, Blowing in the
>WInd, and one other I forget--are not folksongs at all.
I know it's a dead-end debate, but I'd debate that point, especially
for "If I Had a Hammer". The song is passed around freely and mostly
orally, folk-processed all over the place, and I'd be surprised if
more than 5% of non-professional singers could name the authors.
That's already satisfying as rigorous a definition as many scholars
apply, and much more rigorous than you're going to get in this
newsgroup as a rule.
-David
--
============================================================================
David Wald http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~wald/ wa...@theory.lcs.mit.edu
"Blessed are the peacocks, for they shall be called sonship of God"
-- Matt 5:9, from a faulty QuickVerse 2.0
============================================================================
SueL107122
Stewball
Weave me the Sunshine
Family Tree
Amazing Grace
Walkin' Down The Line
and
How Can I Keep From Singing
-Sue Leventhal
jl...@lehigh.edu
writes:
>ehe...@cc.umanitoba.ca (Elizabeth Henson) writes:
>:
>: Fish (round)
>: "Fish gonna swim, birds gonna fly, I'm gonna love that man till I die"
>:
>
>As long as you're doing "Fish", don't do it in a round with itself. Do it
>with (or against) "Heart & Soul" and "Blue Moon". Loads of fun ;-)
>How do I get out of this chicken-feed outfit?
>
>REB
>
as a duet as a kid.
Jeanette
Myles na G
Gary & Jeanne Ross
>I wouldn't have included PMD for two reasons (1) it only satisfies the
>(to my taste) broad defintion of folk music that causes the term to lose
>most of its meaning, and (2) it wouldn't bother me (that is, I wouldn't
>feel the culture were getting lost) if children didn't know PMD. But
>there are *some* folk songs that *every* kid should know that *many* *
>don't*. My list (*every* kid should know) would include
>
>The bear went over the mountain
>Clementine
>She'll be comin' 'round the mountain
>Paw-paw patch
>Old MacDonald
>Old grey mare
>I've been working on the railroad
>Oh, Suzanna
>
>and the like. I'm afraid to guess how many 10 year olds wouldn't know
>all of these.
school would definately know them. I sorta knew when I posted this
request for *folk* songs that I might be opening the debate about what is
a folk song. I've enjoyed people's choices.
Peace, Jeanne
Jerry Dallal
:
: I teach every one of the songs you mentioned so the 10 year olds in my
: request for *folk* songs that I might be opening the debate about what is
: a folk song. I've enjoyed people's choices.
Great. I was playing my guitar the other day. My 9 year old couldn't
help me with "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" and my jaw dropped. I
guess I hadn't gotten round to it before and neither had his school, even
though he's in the third grade chorus and the school has a solid music
program. If you see to it that your students get exposed to the
children's folk songs that every child should know, then you get a *big*
pat on the back from me and everything else you do is pure gravy! Tell
your principal I said to give you a raise!
Gerry Myerson
>
> I'm curious to know what
> folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
> classes.
I'm not sure *any* folk songs should be taught in music classes ---
some things you should learn about on the street.
> So....gimme your Top Ten Folk Songs Every Kid
> Should Learn. (Don't include "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'cause that's
> already a must!!)
For what it's worth, here's a list of songs we used to sing on the bus
on the way to day camp. "Puff" is not on the list --- too recent!
Undoubtedly some of these will be familiar by other names.
Sloop John B 100 Bottles of Beer I've Got Sixpence
Cellars of Murphy's Saloon Rickety-tickety-tin I Know an Old Woman
Walking Down Canal Street Barnacle Bill Quartermaster Corps
Hey Lolly Lolly Lo The Hula-Hop Over Hill, Over Dale
Gopher Guts Web-Footed Friends The Poor Old Slave
Found a Peanut The Fox Working on the Railroad
Three Jolly Fishermen Go Where I Send Thee Rise and Shine
He's Got the Whole World Out the Window It's a Rupture
This Little Light of Mine Sweet Land of Germany B-I-N-G-O
In the Woods Lulu had a Steamboat Kumbaya
I Point to Myself Dinah Blow Your Horn This Land is Your Land
Hole in the Bucket The Worms Crawl In Zum Gali-Gali
Dona, Dona The Cat Came Back John Brown's Body
Bill Jones' Goat Sipping Cider The Prunie Song
Marching to Pretoria I Love My Rooster
When Johnny Comes Marching Home My Hat it has Three Corners
Hole in the Bottom of the Sea George Washington Bridge
I'm in Love with your Automobile Working on the Railroad
Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor We're Here Because We're Here
I Bought Some Chewing Gum Do Your Ears Hang Low
The Doughnuts in the Army Michael Row the Boat Ashore
I'm Looking Over My Dead Dog, Rover
Gerry Myerson
Julie M. Lehrman
schoolchild (especially the under 10's) needs to learn a
"Zipper" song. The type of song like "Old MacDonald" where
they get the joy of creating verses. Other ones that come to
mind are "I had a Rooster" or the variant "I had a cat,"
"There was a man lived in the moon/Aiken Drum," and "Hail to
Brittania"
-J
--
Julie Lehrman I wish I lived on a planet with
jm...@virginia.edu 28 hour days....
Jak999
classics including one of the most (if not the most) beautiful rendition
of "Shenandoah" I have ever heard.
Also on my list would be such classics as
"Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" "Green Grow The Rushes Ho" "Oh Susannah"
"On Top Of Old Smoky" (and "On Top Of Spaghetti") "Deep Blue Sea"
"Clementine" "The Rio Grande" and many many more
Barrie McCombs
might be interested in "The Prairie Home Companion Songbook" by Marcia
and Jon Pankake (Viking). It has a large number of songs and song
parodies which are hilarious. I think I heard there's another reprint of
the book called "Joe's got a head like a pingpongball". Or check out the
kid's songbook section of your public library
- Barrie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Barrie McCombs, MD, CCFP | Family Physician by day |
| bmcc...@acs.ucalgary.ca | Folk Musician during full moons |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristin L. Mccracken
: This thread brings back some summer camp memories! The participants
Kristin L. Mccracken
Kristin L. Mccracken
that was always my favorite camp song, along with cat stevens' "moonshadow".
Dick Wisan
ing kids songs like "The Worms Crawl In" or "Joe's Got a Head Like a Ping-
Pong Ball" comes to me like teaching them their_own_ songs. I think of it
as the school bus culture because that's where I learned things like that,
but no doubt it's carried --or should I say it _was_ carried in other
places.
In another vein, I'm surprised no one seems to be including the old
slave music: spirituals, mainly, like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot",
"Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho", "Go Down, Moses" & on & on. Not
quite a spiritual, but apposite is "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd".
Generally, I should want to teach kids songs which bring a bit of his-
tory with them. The standard 19th Century cowboy songs do that, "Home
on the Range", "I Ride an Old Paint", "The Big Corral". So do the sea
shanties some people have suggested. If the kids you're teaching are
in New York State, certainly "The Erie Canal" (which one depends on the
age of the kids). I guess one could go on in this vein quite some, and
I haven't got back of the 19th Century or outside the U.S.
--
R. N. (Dick) Wisan - Email: internet WIS...@hartwick.edu
- Snail: 37 Clinton Street, Oneonta NY 13820, U.S.A.
- Just your opinion, please, ma'am: No fax.
Kristi Hughes
the whole school once. Doesn't seem so bad now.
My mother brought us up knowing a lot of folk songs. She is a music
collector with thousands and thousands of records, albums and tapes. So
I learned a real appreciation for all types of music. Being from the
South, I am also very familiar with the slave songs you mentioned.
Thanks for the info on the book!
-
KRISTI FHY...@prodigy.com
Jesse Michaels
I agree with your thought. In fact, I regularly sing each of the songs
you mentioned with the young children at my school. If you would have
asked me to name the "zipper" songs that I do those would have been the
ones. However, I am now trying to think of others that I know and I can't
get any out. I wonder if you or anyone else knows of some more "zipper"
songs...... Jerry Michaels ...jmic...@inforamp.com
Timothy J Keenan
: that was always my favorite camp song, along with cat stevens' "moonshadow".
Seems the last time I had net access (2 years ago at UNB.ca (university
of new brunswick)) there was a thread about 1 tin soldier. It is really a
stretch to call it a folk song, but I guess if enough camp counsellors
who were teenagers in 1970 or so taught it to their campers, and it is
now passed on by oral/aural tradition, it qualifies in some ways...
It was actually a top-40 pop-radio hit throughout north america by a one-
(or maybe two-) hit wonder group whose name temporarily escapes me. (but
I am sure someone out there knows! ;) BTW, I don't recognize many names
on this group anymore--maybe all my old buds have faded away like the
morning dew?
Aidan Goldstraw
writes:
>
My list (*every* kid should know) would include
>
> The bear went over the mountain
> Clementine
> She'll be comin' 'round the mountain
> Paw-paw patch
> Old MacDonald
> Old grey mare
> I've been working on the railroad
> Oh, Suzanna
>
> and the like. I'm afraid to guess how many 10 year olds wouldn't know
> all of these.
OK, but a) is Oh Susannah! a folk song and b) is it fit for the
politically-correct classrooms of today?
My final-year thesis of my music degree was based on the songs of
Stephen Foster, and there is a very sinister verse in the above song
which is usually omitted. It runs:
I jumped aboard de telegraph
and trabelled down de ribber,
the electrie fluid magnified
and killed ten thousand nigger,
De bulgine burst, de horse ran off
I really thought I'd die
I shut my eyes to hold my breath
Susannah don't you cry.
Surreal or what? Anybody else come across this bit in their Foster
forays?
Aidan Goldstraw | ai...@gustav1.demon.co.uk
| Compuserve: 100257,1765
Ken Nagelberg
1970 single was by a group called The Original Caste, but I also remember
a version by the group Coven. It became famous as the theme song from
the motion picture "Billy Jack."
It was a "message song" and it was played and sung by lots of local folks
with acoustic guitars. That makes it a contemporary folk song in my
book.
Ken
Kelsey Thornton
In article <3lubno$7...@bristlecone.together.net>,
Jeanne (ro...@together.net) writes:
>Okay, here's one for you.
>
>I'm a music teacher and folk music lover. I'm curious to know what
>folk songs people think should be taught to kids in their music
>classes.
Chatting about this to my 7-year-old nephew and 5-year-old niece,
they came up with the following. (it may not be what the purists
will call a folk song, but here goes anyway.)
TAKING HOME A BABY BUMBLE BEE.
==============================
(I can't place the tune, but I could have a go at writing it down
if someone wants it)
(Sung with hands cupped as if holding imaginary bee that might
escape)
I'm taking home a baby bumble bee
I'm taking home a baby bumble bee
I'm taking home a baby bumble bee
Won't my mummy be surprised at me!
(pause)
(spoken) OW!... It stung me!
(Sung with hands squishing up the imaginary bee)
I'm squishing up a baby bumble bee
I'm squishing up a baby bumble bee
I'm squishing up a baby bumble bee
Won't my mummy be surprised at me!
(pause)
(spoken - look at hands) Euch.. what a mess.
Next verses all follow the same pattern.
(sung whilst licking palms of hands)
I'm licking up a baby bumble bee
(spoken - Hold tummy) Oooh... I feel sick.
Bleeach
(sing whilst beiing sick at the end of each of first 3 lines)
I'm sicking up a baby bumble bee... (Bleeach)
(spoken - hands in "oh no" gesture) Oh No! What a mess!
(sing whilst sweeping up)
I'm sweeping up a baby bumble bee
(Clap hands)
(spoken) Ow, she smacked me!
(sing with head held low) (slower)
I'm sorry 'bout the baby bumble bee.
I'm sorry 'bout the baby bumble bee.
I'm sorry 'bout the baby bumble bee.
(raise head - faster)
Won't my daddy be surprised at me!
My nephew and niece also added:
(spoken) Ow: he smacked me too!
Well... ThThThats All Folks!
------
TTFN
Kelsey Thornton Z...@liberator.win-uk.net
Timothy J Keenan
: In article <D6ur7...@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>,
: jm...@faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU (Julie M. Lehrman)
..... I wonder if you or anyone else knows of some more "zipper"
: songs...... Jerry Michaels ...jmic...@inforamp.com
Cathy Fink (Rounder, Flying Fish etc.) credits Lee Hayes (founding member
of the Weavers) with coining the expression "zipper song". The Weavers
had some good ones-- "Hey lilee lilee lo", for example, or "When I'm On
My Journey", "Children Go Where I send Thee"--lots more. Cathy and her
late former musical partner, Duck Donald (I'm serious) did several
good'uns too, and she does lots on her own and with her current musical
partner Marcie Marxer. Also check out Canada's own Chris and Ken Whitely
and their "Junior Jugband" recordings...
Tim Keenan
Cliff Ecology Research Group
Botany Department
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario
Walter Nelson
: OK, but a) is Oh Susannah! a folk song and b) is it fit for the
: politically-correct classrooms of today?
I would say yes, on the principal that a folk song becomes such when it
makes its way into the oral tradition. It matters not that the author be
known. Other than the Telegraph verse, I don't recall the other verses
being terribly un-PC, but perhaps I am not remembering it very well.
: My final-year thesis of my music degree was based on the songs of
: Stephen Foster, and there is a very sinister verse in the above song
: which is usually omitted. It runs:
: I jumped aboard de telegraph
: and trabelled down de ribber,
: the electrie fluid magnified
: and killed ten thousand nigger,
: De bulgine burst, de horse ran off
: I really thought I'd die
: I shut my eyes to hold my breath
: Susannah don't you cry.
: Surreal or what? Anybody else come across this bit in their Foster
: forays?
Oh yes, and like everyone else, we keep it as our little secret and don't
sing it in public. It is wonderfully surreal though.
Of course, non-PCness is a problem with a lot of the best old American
songs, especially those that come from the Minstral tradition. Yellow Rose
of Texas comes to mind:
"She's the sweetest rose of color, this darkey ever knew"
The really annoying thing about this sort of thing is that the sentiment is
very often totally "PC". Yellow Rose of Texas, for instance, is just a
love song--the author just chose what were perfectly acceptable words in
the 19th Century to indicate that the protaganists are African Americans.
The modern is therefore faced with the choice of offending modern
sensibilities by singing the song as written, or disguising the fact that
the race of the protaganists is even metioned, and homoginizing the song.
To my way of thinking, there is nothing wrong with a song about an African
American singing about the beauty of a woman of mixed color and swearing
never again to leave her. How to convey that to the modern audience, using
the currently PC terminology however, is beyond me.
Cheers,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter Nelson | INSERT PITHY WITTICISM HERE
RAND |
walter...@rand.org |
___________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Porter
>Kristin L. Mccracken (klm...@is2.nyu.edu) wrote:
>: does anyone remember "one tin soldier"?
I believe the group was "The Original Caste" (intentional spelling)
'Got the 45 round here somewhere but it sounds pretty rough
*********************************************************************
Jeff Porter Gone to the dogs...
nstn...@fox.nstn.ca and proud of it!
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Grey Door
not as important as how they are taught. When folk music is taught to
children ala the traditional Chorus method (e.g., everyone learns the
words and parts and practices under the exhortations of the music teacher
to "sing louder," "with more feeling..." it all becomes very
UNfolk-like. Better to grab a bunch of song books, tell kids they have to
come back the next day with one song they'd like to try, and sit around
and share music. THAT'S what folk music is about. The actual songs
aren't ever as important as the community they engender. (And by the way,
just on a personal note, if I never hear Puff again it will be WAY to
soon.) There's a zillion good folk songs and modern "folk" songs. What
there isn't is a zillion places and people to sing them. Create the
atmosphere and the rest will follow.
Adam Price
: Well, this IS a good question. To me the issue of which songs to teach is
I hate posts of the kind which I am posting, but there comes a time. . .
I agree.
Especially with the part about Poof
Joe Lannom
> On 13 Apr 1995 16:55:47 GMT,
> Timothy J Keenan <tke...@uoguelph.ca> wrote:
>
> >Kristin L. Mccracken (klm...@is2.nyu.edu) wrote:
> >: does anyone remember "one tin soldier"?
>
> I believe the group was "The Original Caste" (intentional spelling)
> 'Got the 45 round here somewhere but it sounds pretty rough
By Coven.
joe
--
jcla...@mtu.edu | Michigan Technological University
If you think my opinions represent those of MTU.. Seek help.
>>>-->
When "wide open spaces" brings parking to mind, die.
James Foster
: > I believe the group was "The Original Caste" (intentional spelling)
: > 'Got the 45 round here somewhere but it sounds pretty rough
: By Coven.
: joe
: --
Does Coven have an album out that you can still get? I've never been able
to find it.. or what would be even better, would be an album that has
that song (original artists), and some other songs on it as well.
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jo...@netcom.com
: "Jeff Porter" <nstn...@fox.nstn.ca> writes
: > On 13 Apr 1995 16:55:47 GMT,
: > Timothy J Keenan <tke...@uoguelph.ca> wrote:
: >
: > >Kristin L. Mccracken (klm...@is2.nyu.edu) wrote:
: >
: > I believe the group was "The Original Caste" (intentional spelling)
: > 'Got the 45 round here somewhere but it sounds pretty rough
: By Coven.
I'm pretty sure that both of these are correct. I definitely remember
that the group I always heard on the radio in about 1970 was The Original
Caste; I'm quite sure of that because, for the longest time, I assumed the
song was from a musical comedy, and that the DJs were just playing the
"original cast" album. The version in "Billy Jack" was done by Coven, and
was presumably a cover; a sufficiently identical cover that I didn't even
pick up on the fact that it wasn't the same version when I saw the movie,
I might add.
--
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-__ __ /_ Jon Berger "Writing about music is like
//_// //_/ jo...@netcom.com dancing about architecture."
_/ --------- - Laurie Anderson