Get Flash to see this player.
Description
I needed a song to open our 3rd & 4th grade concert of folk songs from America. I couldn't find anything I liked, so I wrote this piece. It's probably a little bit 'cheerleader-like' to some folks, but it worked for the kids. We're doing our concert next week. If I get a decent recording, I'll post that here, too.
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
The Music of America
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
From the North or from the South, from the East or from the West,
Every person has a tune or a legend they love best.
When we share our songs & stories and the messages they bear,
We begin to understand our bonds with people everywhere.
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
When we think about the past, and our noble history,
When the people sought their dreams and when they faced adversity,
Songs were sung to pass the time, or help them work, or tough it out.
And their music gives a glimpse of what their lives were all about.
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, A song, free and strong,
A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
From the North or from the South, from the East or from the West,
Every person has a tune or a legend they love best.
When we share our songs & stories and the messages they bear,
We begin to understand our bonds with people everywhere.
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
When we think about the past, and our noble history,
When the people sought their dreams and when they faced adversity,
Songs were sung to pass the time, or help them work, or tough it out.
And their music gives a glimpse of what their lives were all about.
Listen to the music of America. Listen to the voices far and near.
Listen to the music of America. A song, free and strong, A song, free and strong,
A song, free and strong, is what you’ll hear.
John Stebbe
Well, krystyjo, I didn't know you had such a good voice! I'm sure your
kids are good singers, with an excellent model like you.
Your e-mail to me asked if I had heard this before somewhere, to make
sure you weren't infringing on any copyrights. I know I've heard the
chord progression in the chorus before (tonic, then whole-step below
the tonic), but the melody seems new. I've heard that chord
progression in many different songs, but I can't think of the names of
any of them right now.
Yes, it does sound like something from Music K-8 Magazine. And
that's a compliment, because they have some great stuff in there. Our
township is having an elementary music festival at one of our high
schools this spring, and we are using three Music K-8 songs for our
4th grade recorder players.
I have also done concerts of folk songs with my elementary kids, and
they work very well. Lots of ways to tie it into the broader curriculum
at school. Plus the songs are all public domain, so you can post them
wherever you like with no worries. (And it gives me an excuse to play
with my computer toys to create accompaniment tracks, which I don't
mind doing at all!) This spring we're doing "Songs Of The Railroad."
Great work here, Kristyjo. The vocal ranges are well thought out, and
the soprano/alto harmonies sound like they will be very effective
coming from kids' voices.
Best,
John