Down By the Riverside

This week my students in the fifth grade music classes are learning about African American music.  The first project they are working on is writing new verses to a well-known spiritual, "Down By the Riverside".  Here are some of the wonderful verses that my classes have created.  I have been very impressed with their focus, their determination, and how dedicated they are to their lyrics.  You will see how wonderful they are..
Before I begin..a quick note about "gradual release of Responsibility" - We sang the original song, "Down By the Riverside" and then as a class we discussed the meaning of the song- peace, rejoicing, freedom, no more fighting, and no more study of war and making the best of the situation you are in.  Then we wrote a verse together:  "Gonna sing loud and spread the joy, down by the schoolhouse, I'm not going to be mad no more.." and then I left them to their own devices..here is where we are.  I think, as usual the gradual release of responsibility worked well and helped me to help the students to work alone more efficiently.  See here the results of using this method..

                                                       Down By The Riverside

By Elise Creagan

Gonna stop war and live life on,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna stop war, and live life on,

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Gonna make world peace

for everyone

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna make world peace

for everyone

Down in our heart and soul,

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Gonna shout “I love ya!”

“I love ya!”

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Down in our heart and soul,

Gonna shout “I love ya!”

“I love ya!”

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

And build happiness every day.

Fairly

By: Kayleigh and Katie

Gonna make things fair

With our voices x3

Gonna make things fair x2

with our voices

And make a difference x6

Gonna treat others with kindness

And help them fit in x3

Gonna treat others with kindness x3

And help them fit in

Gonna help change the world x6

Gonna help others

In our own town x3

Gonna help others

in our own town

And give others a good life x6

In my own town

By: Otto Reid

Gonna make a difference in the world today

in my own home town

in my own home town

in my own home town

gonna make a difference in the world today

In my own hometown

and live a life of love

6x

Gonna make people live happily

in life that is my dream

in life that is my dream

in life that is my dream

gonna make people live happily

In life that is my dream

and help the human race

6x

Gonna make life better for you

with work i’ll get it done

with work i’ll get it done

with work i’ll get it done    

gonna make life better for you

In life I’ll get it done

and help you along the line
6x

Cheyenne and Angela’s rewritten verses of down by the river side
Gonna sit down and play my flute when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sit down and play my flute have world peace forevermore 6x Gonna sit and join the crowd when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sit down and join the crowd and play our troubles away 6x Gonna sing a song with peace and love when people are fighting when people are fighting when people are fighting Gonna sing a song with peace and love when people are fighting and sign our troubles away 6x

Down By The Riverside

New Verses

By: Lucy

1.      Gonna hope for more freedom

      In the hot grassy fields x3

      Gonna hope for more freedom

      In the hot grassy fields

      Gonna hope for a better job x6

2.    Gonna fight for more world peace

     In towns everywhere x3

     Gonna fight for more world peace

     In towns everywhere

    Gonna fight and be free again x6

3.  Gonna wait ‘till I’m finally free

    Down where my work’s no pay x3

    Gonna wait ‘till I’m finally free

    Down where my work’s no pay

    Gonna escape to be free x6
More Examples to come..have a great week!