VOCAL UNION RESOURCES
This website was initially created to provide resources for the Vocal Union project. All materials on the site are freely available to people working in community music and education.
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Sage Gateshead and Sing Up.
The site is currently hosted in collaboration with BlueJam.
Traditional songs A-J
These songs have been collected by Vocal Union, Vocal Force and other leaders as part of the process of sharing our experience and repertoire.
As in any aural tradition, songs get passed around, changing either deliberately or by accident.
If you know or have made new versions we would love to include them.
We will not include any song knowingly in copyright to a composer without their consent. If you find a song that is mis-named or you have new or conflicting information about it, please contact Jilly at jillyjarman@gmail.com
Adio Mama
Traditional song from Cuba. 'Goodbye Mum, Goodbye Dad, I’m off to the carnival!'
Parts based on the clave, very few words.
Useful for introducing samba rhythms and mixing percussion and voice.
mp3 | score
Ah poor bird! / John Cooks Soul
Two traditional folk songs from England. Both are rounds with quite a large range, so as well as being lovely to sing, good for later stages of a warm-up and for encouraging head voice.
mp3 of Ah Poor Bird | score for both
Baby Has Gone Down The Plughole
Traditional music hall song from England.
mp3
Balm in Gilead
Traditional gospel song
mp3 (sung here by Bewcastle Community Choir)
Been All Around This World
Song from the Appalachian Mountain area of United States of America. Introduced by Lindsay Hannon.
mp3 | score
Bela Mama
Beautiful round: "Beautiful Mother Earth'.
score
Bobby Shaftoe
traditional folk song.
score in D | score in G
Bonny At Morn
traditional Northumbrian folk song.
score in E minor (high) | score in A minor (low)
Cluck Old Hen
As taught by Sarah Kekus. Backing track by Dave Camlin
score | backing mp3
Colours of the rainbow
Sung in French by Alison Scott at Vocal Union residential, Allendale.
mp3
Do, Do Pity My Case
A song from Louisiana, US, about having to go and do chores. Possibly sung by servants dancing in a ring round a tree.
score
E Papa Waiari - traditional titi morea Maori
Great song with fascinating stick game from Pacific songs workshop by Sarah Wall.
score and pronunciation guide
Feeling Good
This classic song, was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint. The famous version by Nina Simone moves it away from the musical genre and into blues. It is a great song for young voices because of the inspiring words, and it can be taken apart and improvised over. See some impro ideas here from Jilly Jarman.
KS 2,3 adult
score: KS3/adult | score: canon KS2/adult| (mp3 and more scores to come) |
Freedom Is Coming
Traditional gospel song. Easy harmony parts with exciting counter melody.
KS 1,2,3 adult
score | mp3s - all parts | harmony 1 | harmony 2 | harmony 3
Garai Pano
Song from Zimbabwe. Learnt by Sian Crooze from Yvonne Burgess. Sung as people come into Church. In English it means: 'Sit here the Spirit is Coming.' Short song with very few words. Lovely harmonies.
KS 1,2,3 adult
mp3 | score
Go Down, Moses
Traditional spiritual. Speaks of release from oppression and can be related to both a cry for freedom and a religous expression. This is a simple folk version.
KS 1,2,3 adult
score | mp3
Gumama
Traditional Nigerian Church song. 3-part harmony
KS 2,3 adult
score
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
Traditional English Folk tune with a verse for each day of the week. There are many different versions and it is sung all over the world in different forms
score
Hey Ho Nobody Home
Traditional English round with three phrases Try an ending with everyone staying on the first phrase in unison.This is also a great tune to use as feeder material for group improvisations - see suggestions below.
score | score improv ideas | mp3 - SW Peninsular Music Conference warm-up session
Ho Taru Koi - Japanese song
Sung by Sian Crooze. This song has a lovely canonic effect by repeating the song 1 beat later. Definitely worth trying.
See Conference reports >> Birmingham Custard Factory, for a group performance led by Beth Allen.
mp3 | score and translation
Hot Cross Buns - Traditional English Folk Song
This is a version sung as a round with chord suggestions.
score | mp3
I've Gotten A Rock
Traditional folk tune with new words by Susanna Blamire and arrangement with Dave Camlin
score
Jambo
Extremely popular song in Swahili from Kenya. 3 part harmonies - many different versions. Easy song to play on tin whistles or recorders.
There are many different versions - these are the two verses taught by Batanai Marimba, plus English words written by Beaconside Infants for their Year 6 leaving celebration.
score | words
Juba
Beth Allen says:"This is an old African American folk song that evolved from a plantation dance. It is closely linked to Hambone and is often found together in collections. Juba became a common name for African Americans who were talented at singing or dancing in the 19th century. The most famous was William Henry Lane or Master Juba, who combined African derived and European dances in his performances, including Irish jigs. He is now seen by many as the originator of tap dance."
KS 1,2,3 score
Sasquatch - Vocal Union training day grouplet
Call and response - good fun - all about yetis etc.
Any age
mp3 | score
Saturday Night - Yr 7 Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Cumbria
Written out of a call and response game based on a 12-bar blues - girls opposite boys! They made up great dances to go with it.
KEY STAGE 2 & upwards
mp3 | score
Say my Name - Bex Mather
4 part groove - beautiful, soulful piece. Part of a song written by Bex Mather with a regeneration project.
KEY STAGE 2 & upwards
mp3 | mp3 parts | score
School Dinner song - Dave Camlin, Bassenthwaite
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score
Silent Night - Hannah Reid
Lovely new arrangement for two voices of this traditional carol
score | mp3
Silly Noise Song by Sarah Nicholson - jazzy and fun.
A song for Early years exploring fun sounds you can make.
score
Sing Out the Dark Light - Dave Camlin
Song about the coming of the New Year.
KEY STAGE 2 & upwards
mp3
Sinnerman - Ed Aldcroft
New arrangement of this traditional gospel song.
KEY STAGE 2 & upwards
score
Sing, Sing a Song - Jennifer Ellin
Written for the Brewery, Kendal's singing club this has four lines which are gradually added to make a full sound.
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score
Smile and Wave - Roslyn Doak
Written by 15 year old Roslyn as part of her work experience week with BlueJam, and previewed at Penrith Singing Squad - a great song, with a catchy tune, lots of rhythm and insightful lyrics.
score (E) | piano acc (Eb) | piano acc with vocal guide
Something - Robin Horton
Written for and performed by Oakmeadow Primary School, Wolverhampton, this is a great song with a catchy tune and rhythm
mp3 backing track | mp3 (Sung here by Oakmeadow Primary School, Wolverhampton)
Sooner Than You Think- Jilly Jarman & Year 4, Montreal CE Primary School, Cleator Moor
A very easy song to sing with a catchy hook - simple to change it and add your own ideas.
score | mp3 (Sung here by Penrith National Sing Up Day teachers session)
Spin Round - Kirsten Taylor, Jilly Jarman, Cath Sewell
One of three songs commissioned for the Kendal Brewery's MOTTO project. It uses the words to a Cumbrian folk song and works them into an evocative vocal weave.
score | mp3
Spirit of Christmas - Jilly Jarman
Carol about the kindness of King Wenceslas: single line, folk/shuffle, piano.
See "I come to the door" for a shortened version - lyrics by Jen Ellin
KEY STAGE 2 & upwards
score | piano accompaniment
Spooky Things - Dave Camlin, Alison Scott, Bassenthwaite
Spooky Song - Sharon Durant
Groove based song with piano accompaniment
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
mp3 | score
Tape Ton Pied - French song introduced by Shelley Ambury
This is a similar tune to Old Joe Clark. It is in the mixolydian mode and has a lovely melody. Section 1 and 2 fit together and you can add a lower harmony quite easily.
mp3 | score
Three Little Pigs - Belinda Wright
A lively, fun song popular with Reception, Year one and two. Great with actions!
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
mp3 | score
Throw Catch - Skura
From East London, South Africa comes this great action song written by a young composer. It has caught on with young people and at Sing Up training sessions as an immediate hit with rhythms, actions and easy optional harmonies.
See version with newly-devised written words by a local school under 'May The Force Be With You'
KEY STAGE 2 to adult
score
Toca Las Campanas - (Ring the Bells)
Carol with Spanish words by Pilar Marchori written by Jilly Jarman for North Lakes School, Penrith
score | mp3
Viking Song - Hannah Reid
Simple, rousing song in 3-parts with percussion accompaniment.
KEY STAGE 1, 2 & 3
mp3 | score | mp3 with percussion
Voulez-vous chanter? - Jilly Jarman
Greeting song - 2 part round. In French.
Written for Beaconside Juniors Vocal Union assemblies
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
score
We Are The Ones - Venice Manley
4 part song with simple lines interweaving. Very strong and effective
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 to adult
score
We're Helping Rufus by Sarah Nicholson - ballad.
A song for Early years exploring fun sounds you can make.
score
Welcome - Jilly Jarman, Alison Scott, Gary Newman, Skelton Primary School, Penrith.
Medieval inspired carol - easy to remember and satisfying to sing
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score
This piece has been arranged by Mary Keith for her adult SSTB choir and performed at Shrewsbury Market Hall. Brilliant!
score
While Shepherds Watched - new SATB setting by Hannah Reid
A fantastic, gospel-tinged four part arrangement of this beautiful carol, with great piano chords.
KEY STAGE 2 to adult
score | mp3 | alto part | tenor part
Windows - Fiona Clayton
Lyrical single-line melody with beautiful inflectionsbr />
KEY STAGE 2
score
Whitehouse Farm Song - Belinda Wright
Approachable, fun song about a school visit to a farm. Great tune and easy chords.
KEY STAGE 1,2
mp3 | mp3 vu training day | score |
Wind Song - Pete Moser
A beautifully simple piece with 2 note backing. Taught here with demonstration of how to bring in echoes faster or slower. From conference at HotHouse Morecambe 2007
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 upwards
mp3
Wish - Bex Mather & Simon Derbyshire
Fantastic soulful acapella song with catchy tune and multiple backing parts. Easily adapted.
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 upwards
mp3
With these hands - Em Whitfield-Brooks
Soulful song
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score | lyrics
Wolf Chant - Dave Camlin, Alison Scott, Bassenthwaite
KEY STAGE 2
score
Yoohoo! Where are you? - Vocal Union training day, Sage Gateshead 2007
Warm-up song. Suitable for all.
mp3
Year 5 Blues - Sharon Durant & Yr 5 Canning Street Primary School, Newcastle
12-bar blues with words about homework etc. Piano accompaniment. Easily adaptable.
KEY STAGE 2
mp3
You're mean! - Jilly Jarman
Easy fun, bluesy song with piano or guitar accompaniment.
Alternative ending written by Beaconside Juniors and sung to Scrooge in their version of The Christmas Carol.
KEY STAGE 1 & 2, & anyone
score: tune & acc | score: v easy acc | mp3
Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead supported by Government.
Vocal Union is part-funded through Sing Up and is part of its national singing programme.