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.
Sarana
Call and response song from Burkina Faso
pdf
Senwa Dedende
It can be harmonised and sung in a round. (from Jane Wheeler).
mp3 | score
Senzenina
This is a South African Zulu song which means: 'What have we done?'
Beccy Owen
mp3 (Beccy Owen - parts) | mp3 (Hannah Reid)
Summer is icoming in
Traditional English folk song. Can be sung as a round. There are lots of arrangements for choirs available as well.
Also spelt Somer is Icomin In.
score | mp3
Take Me Home - Black Umfolosi
DBele song taught to Sian Crooze by Black Umfolosi, Zimbabwean Vocal Harmony, Drumming and Dance Group.
Black Umfolosi has CDs with lots of fantastic songs available from: http://www.blackumfolosi.com/ .
Black Umfolosi are available for workshops with young and older people in England, a popular choice being South African gumboot dancing.
mp3 | score
There's a Hole In My Bucket
A traditional English children's song thought to originate in the 1770's. It is a circular song - when you get to the end you arrive back at the beginning, with no resolution possible.
lyrics | score
Tongo
A traditional calling or echo song from The Solomon Islands, Polynesia. The song depicts people in different long boats communicating with each other over the water. ‘Tongo’ means ‘mangrove’ in Polynesian.
mp3 | notes | score
Today's the First of May
Traditional Swedish game, great for the playground. New words can be made up.
score
Tue, tue
Translation to English means: we are thankful for our Harvest.
There are many versions and spellings of the words.
mp3 (Sung by Bryony etc) | mp3 (Sung by Hannah Reid)
Here are a few variations found on the web.
Tula Mama
Harmonised excerpt from a harvest song sung by school children to Cumbrian teachers on an exchange visit to Uru, Tanzania.
(Sung here by Bewcastle Community Choir)
mp3 | score
We Shall Overcome
Traditional song. An anthem for protest and religious groups especially in US in 60's onwards. There are many different versions and verses. A popular campfire song.
score
Young Peter the Fiddler
A traditional Swedish folk song presented by Lindsay Hannon.
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 funded through Sing Up and is part of its national singing programme.