Members Swingfinger Posted October 22, 2008 Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 I need to write a children's song that will accurately describe the declaration of independence and put it into context for a young child in grade school. It has to be written for the intended audience of grade school children but sung for a college class. Should I do a chorus/verse format? tagline format? just one long story? I am just looking for any ideas to bounce around. Thanks,Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 22, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 PS I was thinking some kind of sing along audience participation like clapping or a sing along chorus would work well.... It isn't for a music class or anything. It is a history project where we can choose any creative method, we dictate the terms. I'm sure I will be the only one doing a song. "I'll have you folks sing with me so we can be awkward and embarrassed together". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rsadasiv Posted October 22, 2008 Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 I'm pretty sure I did a mash-up of one of your songs with a children's song about the Constitution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 22, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 I'm pretty sure I did a mash-up of one of your songs with a children's song about the Constitution I remember that "I wanna be a lawyer some day, I wanna be a liar for pay" your remix was really good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blue2blue Posted October 22, 2008 Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 I say study some children's educational songs that are perceived to work (maybe some of the Sesame Street stuff or something). A repeating full chorus might be a bit much. I like the idea of a tag line at the end of each verse -- and maybe a part to come in around the 60-66% section of the timeline that might repeat at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chicken Monkey Posted October 22, 2008 Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 A repeating full chorus might be a bit much. I like the idea of a tag line at the end of each verse -- and maybe a part to come in around the 60-66% section of the timeline that might repeat at the end. The rules don't change when you're writing for children, you just have to adhere to them more closely. A pop song is a pop song. If you can fill out a chorus--which is the main idea of your song, whether for children or adults--about the Declaration, then use a chorus. Given your subject matter, you may want to boil it down to a one-sentence refrain/tag that sums up the idea. "This Land Is Your Land" is still popular with the elementary set, even though it's got a repeating chorus and all. Heck, I subbed in a music class where "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" was the feel-good hit of 3rd quarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 22, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thanks for the tips guys... I am thinking that a simple melody with a good hook and basic chord progression + lyircs will be needed. The biggest problem is jamming the declaration of independence into a children's song and explaining it sufficiently without losing their attention... it seems nearly impossible. However the teacher did email me today and said I could send her an MP3 and lyrics or sing it for her in her office after class if I don't want to do it in front of the class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldnewbie Posted October 22, 2008 Members Share Posted October 22, 2008 Google "School House Rock". They have a song called "Fireworks" that is about the Decl. of Independence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matximus Posted October 23, 2008 Members Share Posted October 23, 2008 I love exercises like this. Here's how I'd tackle it. Kinda rough, but I threw this together in about 20 minutes, after coming up with a list of words and phrases everyone associates with the declaration. Might need a bridge too, maybe something funny about fireworks or John Hancock or something. Throw together some simple chords in there and you're good to go.... Four score and seven years ago Our Forefathers told King George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matximus Posted October 23, 2008 Members Share Posted October 23, 2008 I just realized: "Four score" is from the Gettysburg address, isn't it? So maybe the firs tline could be something like "More than 200 years ago....." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 23, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 23, 2008 I am very tempted to use that as a base for my song with some reworking of the lines I have been trying to rework nursery rhyme melodies into a song with new lyrics. London Bridge seemed like a good place to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matximus Posted October 23, 2008 Members Share Posted October 23, 2008 I am very tempted to use that as a base for my song with some reworking of the lines I have been trying to rework nursery rhyme melodies into a song with new lyrics. London Bridge seemed like a good place to start. That's a great Idea. Bob Dylan used to write lots of his early stuff around classic folk melodies. And feel free to take anything from my thing, particularly the idea of eyhming "People" and "Equal," which may just be too good to waste. Love to hear what you come up with. Post us a link when you're done. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 23, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 23, 2008 That's a great Idea. Bob Dylan used to write lots of his early stuff around classic folk melodies. And feel free to take anything from my thing, particularly the idea of eyhming "People" and "Equal," which may just be too good to waste. Love to hear what you come up with. Post us a link when you're done. M Thanks man Don't expect too much... I am an amateur guitar player and singer at best I might need to throw in a few more child friendly metaphors and symbols like the song referenced earlier in the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FranklinPearl Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 somethin about Ohio Territory and Printing our own Currency... wait, those don't rhyme... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eclepto Funk Posted October 25, 2008 Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 yo king george was da pimpthe new world put a crimpon his cribs and his hoeshe said anything goesi want highs you want lowsyour tea party just showsyou ain't liking my taxesso i'm invading yo asses king george gonna make youget straightking george gonna make youship freighthow you like my red coats?a-ha, a-habetter than screwing goats?a-ha, a-haa-ha, a-ha Ben Franklin got madsaid, yo yo, mack dadif ya don't want a slugon that fancy white rugya wear on yer mugpick some other suckers to bugcause we want our own prezgive us liberty or give us death ben f. gonna make yougo madben f. gonna make youwish you hadhow you like my guerilla tactics ya'll?a-ha, a-hashoot you up while you're walking up to this wall a-ha, a-ha (i'm hiding back here, ya'll)(pass the hemp, yo) one by land, two by seaa-ha, a-hawe ain't drinking your teaa-ha, a-hawe don't want tyrannya-ha, a-hawe prefer libertya-ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 25, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 25, 2008 yo king george was da pimp the new world put a crimp on his cribs and his hoes he said anything goes i want highs you want lows your tea party just shows you ain't liking my taxes so i'm invading yo asses king george gonna make you get straight king george gonna make you ship freight how you like my red coats? a-ha, a-ha better than screwing goats? a-ha, a-ha a-ha, a-ha Ben Franklin got mad said, yo yo, mack dad if ya don't want a slug on that fancy white rug ya wear on yer mug pick some other suckers to bug cause we want our own prez give us liberty or give us death ben f. gonna make you go mad ben f. gonna make you wish you had how you like my guerilla tactics ya'll? a-ha, a-ha shoot you up while you're walking up to this wall a-ha, a-ha (i'm hiding back here, ya'll) (pass the hemp, yo) one by land, two by sea a-ha, a-ha we ain't drinking your tea a-ha, a-ha we don't want tyranny a-ha, a-ha we prefer liberty a-ha lol! awsome man have a recording I can listen to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eclepto Funk Posted October 26, 2008 Members Share Posted October 26, 2008 lol! awsome man have a recording I can listen to? lol no, i just made the words up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rsadasiv Posted October 26, 2008 Members Share Posted October 26, 2008 Incredibly excellent - we need a youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 26, 2008 This is what I have so far, basically changed a few words and added another verse. I'm not sure if that last verse is too complicated for a child, but I have the chords and vocal melodies done so I'll record it tomorrow. Our Great Declaration Capo 5Verse 1More than 200 years agoOur Forefathers told King George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matximus Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 This is what I have so far, basically changed a few words and added another verse. I'm not sure if that last verse is too complicated for a child, but I have the chords and vocal melodies done so I'll record it tomorrow.Our Great DeclarationVerse 3The French came quickly, to fight with zestWith mighty ships, to aid our questAgainst all odds, we won the warThe British Fell, Redcoats to floorBlack sky weaved with, blues and redsFrosted greens and, rainbow threadsFireworks rain down, on the waterTo celebrate, our founding fathers.Third Pre-ChorusOn July 4 when we sing in danceWe remember our independenceChorus repeats This song sounds like a sure-fire hit, baby! Sweet. Love your last verse. Only suggestion is I'd parse a few words. Reads like your jamming too many syllables in there, so it won't match prior verses. Here's my edit: Verse 3Our French allies fought with zestWith mighty ships to aid our questAgainst the odds we won the warDrove the Redcoats off our shores Now fireworks shoot over waterTo celebrate our founding fathersThe skies alight with blues and redsFrosted greens and rainbow threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Swingfinger Posted October 28, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 [YOUTUBE]jcKvP_nhUs8[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rsadasiv Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matximus Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 OMG!!!! Dude, you're a genius. Kudos. That was sweet. I totally feel like Bernie Taupin right now. You gotta get an A. Drop a line if you have another school assignment. That was a hoot.-M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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