True, Bobert.

What I'm really looking for are songs where both the lyrics and the melodies are different but where the same chord pattern fits both.   

I agree with Bennett: The trick is to find songs that are worth singing together. Songs are only worth singing together if the melodies yield a pleasing counterpoint or if the combination of the lyrics produces a worthwhile insight of some sort. Its best when both things happen."


Margaret, yes, I understand that the technical term for what I'm describing is "quodlibets." (I was just reminded of that today.

But I am planning to a workshop on this type of song -- quodlibets, canticles, counter melodies, and counterpoints -- at Oregon's upcoming Singtime Frolics music camp, but I need a very brief title and subtitle for the Camp Schedule, and I don't think the term "partner songs," much less the term "quodlibets," would mean anything to most of the people coming for the weekend.


Don, "Everybody Loves a Lover". The verse that goes "Everybody Loves A Lover" is, I believe, one of those 'duet' songs, like Berlin's "Play A Simple Melody," that was written with two countermelodies & separate lyrics that are superimposed after each is sung once. I'd forgotten about that one.

Examples of canticles or counter melodies include:
The David Bowie/Bing Crosby duet of "Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace On Earth"
"Silent Night" and another "Peace On Earth" canticle
Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair and Canticle"
and
CSNY's "Teach Your Children" - which also has a canticle



I've also discovered (via Carl Zebooker) that "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie" works perfectly with "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" as a 'quodlibet'.


But if anyone has more suggestions of songs that "go together" like this, please share them.

Genie