Lyr Req: Songs for EFL

15 Feb 08 - 11:15 AM (#2263135)
Subject: Lyr Req: Songs for EFL
From: GUEST,Felicity Greenland

I am teaching English as a foreign language to adults with a very basic level of English and would like to give them some folk/traditional songs. The songs should be easy to remember, and consist mainly of vocabulary/expressions that will be useful for them in everyday life ie not too much archaic/specialist vocabulary/poetic reversal. Repetitive or cumulative songs are great - they have enjoyed "The Rattlin' Bog" for example, but "The Prickle-eye Bush" would be too difficult.
I'd be very grateful for any song suggestions.

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15 Feb 08 - 11:20 AM (#2263140)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for EFL
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

Common songs such as heard in many places are: (you can search in the DT for the song lyrics)

Black Velvet Band
Fields of Athenry
Molly Malone
Leaving of Liverpool
Shenandoah
Amazing Grace
Will Ye Go Lassie
Loch Lomand
Water is Wide
What do you do with a Drunken Sailor

That's a quick start of some popular songs heard around the English Speaking world. Lots of history you can teach them about in the song or story of the song. Much of it is found in the Forum.

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15 Feb 08 - 12:12 PM (#2263207)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for EFL
From: Jack Campin

Unfortunately most of those songs have a colossal accretion of mendacious bollocks overlaid on any real historical content they may have. I would suggest sticking to ones where the historical content is either minimal or easier to explain:

Van Dieman's Land
Ye Banks and Braes
Which Side are You On
The Blacksmith
The Grey Cock
One Meat Ball

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15 Feb 08 - 12:49 PM (#2263241)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs for EFL
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Little Joe the Wrangler
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Lorena*
Tavern in the Town
Old Joe Clark
A Capital Ship
One Meat Ball* (mentioned by Campin)
Wabash Cannonball
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Rancho Grande (if you are in the SW)
This Land Is My Land
Twelve Days of Christmas
Red River Valley
Home, Sweet Home*
*some not folk, but have entered that territory.


Are you in UK or North America? Some of the English songs mentioned need explanation for Americans. Muslims in the class?- beware of drinking songs.

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