traditional songs

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.

Adio Mama
Traditional song from Cuba. 'Goodbye Mum, Goodbye Dad, Im 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

Baby has gone down the plughole
Traditional music hall song from England.
mp3

Been All Around This World
Song from the Appalachian Mountain area of United States of America. Introduced by Lindsay Hannon
mp3 | score

Belle Mama
Traditional tune from Torre Straits: 'Beautiful Mother Earth'. It works in round or in a canon and with improvised parts.
score

Bingo
traditional English circle game with regional variations. Great to adapt for playground workshops.
mp3 | score/lyrics

Black Thorn
traditional English catching game for the playground.
score/lyrics

Bobby Shaftoe
traditional folk song
score in D | score in G | mp3

Colours of the rainbow
Sung in French by Alison Scott at Vocal Union residential, Allendale.
mp3

Contrary
An English forfeits game from the 19th Century.
words and rules

Dinah
An English game like Blind Man's Buff.
mp3 | score and rules

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 | mp3

E Papa Waiari - traditional titi morea Maori
Great song with fascinating stick game from Pacific songs workshop by Sarah Wall
score | titi morea introduction

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
mp3 | 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 | mp3

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 | score and translation

Hot Cross Buns - Traditional English Folk Song
This is a version sung as a round with chord suggestions.
score | mp3

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 | mp3 to come

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