Traditional songs K-R

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 us.

Keina Fiafia

A high energy song that can be repeated as many times as you like, getting faster each time. In Tokelau, this song is used when there are competitons between the three atolls.
Note: 'f ' is pronounce 'wh' in the Tokelauan language.
Score

Kimbara

Song from Cuba. Learnt by Sian Croose from Inner Sense. This song can be sung very fast - for information go to: answers.yahoo.com
mp3 | score

King Arthur's Servants

Traditional English folk song. Humorous and gory.
score

Lawenche

Clapping song - contributed by Jane Wheeler. See her blog for further material and discussions: www.janewheeler.net
mp3 | mp3 groove backing track | lyrics

London's Burning

Traditional English round - plus jazz arrangement by Jilly Jarman
score

Magtanim ay di biro (Planting Rice)

A popular chanting song from the Philippines, sung in the rice paddies as work is done. Often sung by children in both Tagalog and English.
score

Maliswe

This South African song is written in a variety of African languages. It is linked to the Anti-apartheid movement and the song expresses a longing for home. Sung here by Beccy Owen.
mp3 | score

Mama Don't Allow No Music

Originally a skiffle/bluegrass song from the US which has been adapted to almost every style.
Very popular.
You can bring in all the different instruments and make up new categories - beatboxers, walkin’ bass, plinky-plonk piano - etc. Easy to add percussion to and mimic the sounds of the instruments.
This is a jazz variation on the tune with a really easy accompaniment.
mp3 | pdf

Nanuma

Traditional Ghanaian song. Very popular and easy to sing as a round. Many schools make up their own words.
KS1,2,3
mp3 | mp3 round | score

Noyana

Traditional Zulu. Taught to Sian by Black Voices. 2 soprano, 2 alto parts with optional bass part. The words mean, 'As we journey through our life, have we done enough to get to Heaven?'.
mp3 | score

Okki tokki unga

Traditional Inuit canoeing action song. Found in quite a few songbooks - for dicussion and variations go to www.mamalisa.com/blog/?p=23
score

Olele loila - trad Finnish Reindeer-calling song,
introduced by Sue Hollingsworth.

Transcribed by Carol Shortis from New Zealand www.carolshortis.com
mp3 | score

O leyo - a Ghanaian women's song - A call to work

Taught to Sian Croose by Anna Mudeka. A call and response with easy harmonies.
KEY STAGE 2 to adult mp3

Oh Freedom - Spiritual

Traditional gospel and liberation song from America. Many different versions sung by choirs, acapella groups, folk and protest singers.
KEY STAGE 2 to adult.
score

Oh Mary Don't You Weep

Traditional gospel and liberation song from America. Many different versions sung by choirs, acapella groups, folk and protest singers. I love the arrangement by Bernice Reagan Johnson. This is an extremely simple version.
KEY STAGE 2 to adult.
score | mp3 complete arrangement | melody line | harmony line

One Day

Deep down in my soul
mp3 | mp3 round | score

Our Dustbin

Traditional English song. Great fun with lots of performance opportunities. Can be sung as a round. Sung here by Carol Bowden.
score in D | score in F | mp3 | mp3round

The Outlandish Knight

Traditional English song
score

Over My Head

Gospel Song - parts sung by Sharon Durant
mp3 all parts | mp3 2 | mp3 3 | mp3 4

Paper of Pins

Folk song from Connecticut, USA, originating from England. Verse and chorus alternating - to be sung by two different groups
score

Prison Camp Holler

Recorded in Mississippi State Penitentiary, sung by Tangle-Eye. Introduced by Lindsay Hannon.
mp3 | score

Round and round the world is turning

Beautiful song introduced by Sarah Kekus at VU training Day July 10th 09
mp3 parts | mp3 round | score


Sing Up



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.