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Songs about building

29 Apr 02 - 03:40 PM (#700623)
Subject: Songs about building
From: GUEST,Jim Bean

My school is building an new performance space. (Lucky me!) and I'm trying to integrate some songs about building for my K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade music students. The kids are getting a great opportunity to observe the construction through it's various phases, talking to the workers and keeping grade appropriate journals. Maybe I'm just thick, but I can't find anything beyond the gospel "Workin' on the Building," which I might parody. Any suggestions? It certainly doesn't have to be kid's songs. I give them a wide variety of stuff to sing.

29 Apr 02 - 03:44 PM (#700625)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: EBarnacle1

I don't know where or whether it can be found, but whenI was a kid, there was an album called (best guess)"building a city." Good luck.

29 Apr 02 - 03:49 PM (#700627)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Mr Red

Bernard Cribbins, "Right said Fred" - house moving more. & "Hole in the Ground" - sort of house building. Josh McCrea (of Football Crazy fame) "Do it Yourself" was a sequel. "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime" or as the song was written "Brother can you ...."

29 Apr 02 - 03:51 PM (#700628)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: catspaw49

Well there's always the theme from "Bob the Builder" which, if I hear one more time, I will shoot my TV.

Spaw

29 Apr 02 - 04:07 PM (#700636)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Ron Olesko

Woody Guthrie's "I'm the Man Who Built the Bridges"

29 Apr 02 - 04:36 PM (#700653)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Jacob B

Hi Jim,

Congratulations on the new space! Here's what I've come up with so far:

Hammer Ring

The Building of Solomon's Temple

Links On The Chain

I'll think about it and see if I can come up with anything else.

Jacob

29 Apr 02 - 05:14 PM (#700687)
Subject: Lyr Add: BUILDING UP AND TEARING ENGLAND DOWN
From: GUEST,Nerd

There's also "The Sick Note" aka dear boss, aka why Paddy's not at work today, attributed to Pat Cooksey:

Dear sir, I write this note to you, to tell you of my plight.
For at the time of writing it, I'm not a pretty sight,
Me body is all black and blue, my face a deathly gray,
And I write this note to say why I am not at work today.

While working on the fourteenth floor, some bricks I had to clear,
But throwing them down from such a height, was not a good idear.
The foreman wasn't very pleased, he is an awkward sort,
And he made me cart them down the bloody ladders bend me heart.

Now clearing all these bricks by hand, it was so very slow,
So I hoisted up a barrel, and secured the rope below,
But in me haste, to do the job, I was to blind to see,
That a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me.

As soon as I'd untied the rope, the barrel fell like lead,
And clinging tightly to the rope, I started up instead.
I shot up like a rocket, and to my dismay I found,
That halfway up I met that bloody barrel coming down.

It severed me left shoulder, as toward the ground it sped,
And as I reached the top, I banged the pulley with me head.
But I clung on tightly not with shock, from this almighty blow,
As the barrel spilled out half its bricks, some fourteen floors below.

I now outweighed the barrel and fell towards the floor,
And the barrel having spilled its bricks, started up once more,
As I sped toward the ground, me body wracked with pain,
And halfway down I met the bloody barrel once again.

The force of this collision, halfway down the office block,
Caused multiple abrasions, and a nasty case of shock,
But I clung on tightly to the rope, as I fell towards the ground,
And there I landed on the broken bricks the barrel'd scattered round.

As I lay there bleeding on the ground, I thought I'd past the worst,
But the barrel hit the pulley wheel, and then the bottom burst.
A shower of bricks rained down on me, I did not have a hope,
and as I lay there bleeding on the ground, I let go of the bloody rope.

The barrel now being heavier, started down once more,
And landed right across me, as I lay there on the floor,
It broke three ribs and my left arm, and I write this note to say,
I hope you'll understand why I'm not at work today.

and, in a more belligerent mood, Building up and tearing England Down:

BUILDING UP AND TEARING ENGLAND DOWN

I have won the hero's name
With McAlpine and Costain
FitzMurphy Ash and Wimpey's gangs
I've been often on the road
On me way to draw the dole
There's nothing left to do for Johnny Laing
I used to think that God
Made the mixer pick and hod
So that Paddy might know hell above the ground
I've had gangers big and tough
Tell me tales old and rough *
When you're building up and tearing England down.

In the tunnel underground
A young Limmerick man was found
He was built into the New Victoria Line
When the bonus gang had past
Sticking from the concrete cast
Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine
A ganger named McGirck
Made Paddy hate the work
When a gas-main burst he flew off the ground
Oh they swore he said gone slack
I won't be here untill I'm back
Keep on building up and tearing England down

I remember Jack McCann
That poor old stuttering man
Felt the better for his stammer in a week
And that poor old stuttering man
He fell from a shuttering jam
And was never ever more
Inclined to speak.
No more like Robin Hood will he roam down Cricklewood
Or dance around the pubs of Camden Town
Oh let no man complain
Sure no Pat can die in vain
When you're building up and tearing England down.

I remember Carrier Jack
With his hod upon his back
He swore he'd one day set the world on fire
But his face they'd never seen
Filth! his shovel it cut clean
Through the middle of a big high tension wire
I saw the big McCall
From a big flyover fall
Into a concrete mixer spinning round
O it was not his intent
He got a fine head of cement
While building up and tearing England down.

So come all you navies bold
Who may think that English gold
Is just waiting to be taken from each sod
Or the likes of you and me
Would ever get an O.B.E.
Or a knighthood for good service to the hod
There's a concrete master race
To keep you in your place
And a ganger man to knock you to the ground
If you ever try to take
Part of what the bosses make
When you're building up and tearing England down.
When you're building up and tearing England down.

29 Apr 02 - 05:21 PM (#700695)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,Nerd

by the way, I got those lyrics off the 'net, and some of 'em are off by a bit. So in the first song, "bend me heart" should be "in me hod." "It severed me left shoulder" should be "the barrel broke my shoulder." If it had severed his left shoulder, it wouldn't really matter when it broke his left arm later!

In the second song "Filth!" should be Since, at least in the versions I've heard...There may be other little variances from good sense/singability as well.

29 Apr 02 - 05:23 PM (#700698)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Jacob B

If I Had My Way could be changed to have a chorus of "If I have my way I will build this building up."

29 Apr 02 - 05:29 PM (#700707)
Subject: Lyr Add: HOUSEWARMING (Fred Small)
From: Charley Noble

Most of the 300 or so songs in my housing songbook collection are not about building construction in a positive sense except for a few songs such as "Housewarming" by Fred Small; it may be something you could rework:

HOUSEWARMING
(Words and music by Fred Small © 1981 Pine Barrens Music (BMI) Recorded on Love's Gonna Carry Us, Acquifer 1001)

Brick and wood, mortar and plane,
Labor's love, a little faith,
You can see the structure taking form;
Ancient tools, a new design,
Taking care, taking time,
We've seen so many houses fall before.

Chorus:

We are building a house growing tall before our eyes,
Stone on stone watch it rise;
We are building a house with our hands, with our songs,
May it stand as long as our lives.

As we tinker with the plans,
Gentle friends lend their hands
Laying down a sturdy hardwood floor;
For the future from the past,
Room to change, built to last,
Come the storms of winter we'll be warm. (CHO)

Bridge:

And sometimes you'll need a vacation
(I'll need one too)
Sunning on the sand, running in a blinding rain;
After the recreation
We can sleep in our own bed again.

That easy chair you've always known,
Photographs from long ago,
Thanksgiving Day parade moving in;
So many books upon the shelves,
So much more to teach ourselves,
Under this roof we shall begin. (CHO)

Most of the songs in my collection are organizing songs or laments.

Warm regards,
Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble

29 Apr 02 - 06:48 PM (#700769)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Gareth

Spaw - Nice to see that Bob the Builder has crossed the pond and is now anoying a different audience.

Gareth

29 Apr 02 - 07:13 PM (#700784)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST

Jim:

We have been performing in schools for 21 years and when we can't find a grade-appropriate song on a specific topic, we usually write one. This strikes us as an opportunity to have the kids write songs. Make it a group effort. Take a tune that they know and let them have at it. You'll be stunned and amazed at the results.

Bev and Jerry

29 Apr 02 - 07:16 PM (#700786)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST

Also, their parents will be so proud that you'll probably get a raise - or at least get to keep your job for another year.

Bev and Jerry with a restet cookie

29 Apr 02 - 07:45 PM (#700810)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

A bit of a stretch, but good. "Three Ha'pence a Foot," by Marriott Edgar. Here

29 Apr 02 - 07:54 PM (#700818)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Mr Red

This performance has a name? what's it build as.......
I'll get my donkey jacket.....

30 Apr 02 - 12:37 AM (#700938)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,Bardford

No strictly about building, but "Grandpa was a Carpenter" by John Prine comes to mind. Has hammering, levels, nails, planks. Also Camel cigarettes. And Eisenhower.

30 Apr 02 - 04:29 AM (#700975)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: aussiebloke

Youngsters might like Johnny's Hammers, Construction Workers song etc, and for the grown-ups - Navigators.



aussiebloke

30 Apr 02 - 06:35 AM (#701004)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Hrothgar

There is a parody of "Ninepence a Day" that starts off:

The rain is falling on the site, the tea's upon the brew
We're sitting on our arses, lads, with bugger all to do
Some want the rain to go to Spain, we want the rain to stay
We're rained off and contented on four pounds a day.

- But how old are these kids you want the song for?

30 Apr 02 - 08:51 AM (#701092)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BUILDERS (from Oxford Book of Carols)
From: Gervase

There's a nice carol in the Oxford Book of Carols, (No 111, I think), which goes like this:

THE BUILDERS
Sing all good people gathered, your voices raise in song
Within this church that fathered our ancient faith so strong
So tried and wrought to fitness in scorn of fire and sword
Sing as these stones bear witness of men who praised the Lord

Each rib from pillar springing the frozen fountain plays Above the chancel singing in harmony of praise;
Like tall trees ever growing the differing columns stand
To bear the vault down-throwing the shadow of God's hand.

At all times and unceasing work well and truly done
In loveliness increasing and mellowed hearing one.
The towers and piers unshaken the vaultings finely groined;
Time in its span hath taken and in one glory joined.

Of wealth and fame and power these masons did not know
Let's build, they said, a tower; square to the winds that blow.
We are not men of culture, yet we are here to build
Room for a king's sepulchre and worthy of our guild.

So came each beam and rafter, each wingèd flight of stone
Their deathless works lived after but their names were never known.
For beauty did they plead not, yet beauty they did win, And like a child you heed not, the grace of heaven crept in.

Here for a workman's wages, this glass so surely stained
Down the long aisle of ages in glory hath remained
As brother worked with brother, the glaziers worked to paint
The blue robe of the mother and the red robe of the saint.

Proud heads lie here disowning all but a drooping head,
All hands worked here atoning for open hands that bled.
Full hearts and living voices a broken heart proclaim, Life after death rejoices and after silence fame.

Someone told me it was translated from the French and refers to the building of Angers cathedral in the 14th Century, but to my ears it has a lot of Christina Rosetti about it.
Whatever, Keith Kendrick and Lynne Heraud sing it beautirfully on their CD Stars In My Crown.

30 Apr 02 - 10:47 AM (#701163)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Jacob B

Gonna Build A Mountain

06 May 02 - 12:16 PM (#705270)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: karen k

Here you go, Jim. Bringing this to the top of the list so you can find it. See you Sat.

06 May 02 - 10:23 PM (#705661)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE IDLE WELDER
From: Barry Finn

Hi Jim, this one might squeek by
THE IDLE WELDER

I'm an idle welder as many a man knows
I've no to eat & I've wore out my clothes
I'd stand in the bread lines if there were bread lines to hand
But there's nobody cares if I fall or stand

I'm an idle welder God knows I've tried hard
You can find me each morning at the gates of the yard
There ain't no work for you lad, sir, I'm a welder to trade
I helped build the best ships the Clyde ever made

Work harder they told us to meet the deadline
Six nights & a Sunday we'll pay double time
So I worked & I burned my hands blistered & sore
We met the deadline we built the Q4

Now when I was a young lad my heart swelled with pride
To think I helped build the best ships that were made on the Clyde
A welder had status when there was welding required
Now the wielding's all done & the welder's been fired

It's a bit like the "Four Loom Weaver". Got it from Riggy around 22 yrs ago, written by scottish singer Watt Nicoll. If it works for you let me know & I'll sing it into your answering machine(I'm not capable of posting tunes, sorry). If I can think of others I'll repost here. Good Luck & see ya soon. Barry

07 May 02 - 02:52 AM (#705739)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Bert

Here's another

07 May 02 - 07:17 AM (#705824)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,An Pluiméir Ceolmhar

There's also "McAlpine's fusiliers" which I think was recorded by The Dubliners. It's similar in tone to Guest Nerd's second offering.

07 May 02 - 02:15 PM (#706054)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Deckman

My memory says that David Mallett wrote a wonderful song. I think it is titled "This Old House." Someone else will have to get the words for you. CHEERS, Bob

07 May 02 - 04:08 PM (#706168)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,Anita Hammer

Anything by The Carpenters.

;- )

07 May 02 - 04:19 PM (#706183)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,Philippa

see also housing songs

07 May 02 - 04:38 PM (#706188)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Willa

Innishfree; I will arise and go now, and go to Innishfree, and a small cabin build there, of clay and wattle made.

07 May 02 - 04:48 PM (#706195)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Genie

Build me a castle 40 feet high... [Forty-hour Week]

This is for the one who swings the hammer driving in the nail....[Down In the Valley]

Once I built a tower to the sky, brick and mortar and lime...[Brother, Can You Spare A Dime]

I'd rather be a hammer than a nail...[El Condor Pasa]

All I can think of is some relevant lines from various songs, e.g.:

Take this hammer [huh!], take it to the captain [huh!]...

We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere out in the west...[Let The Rest Of The World Go By]

I'll build you a home in the meadow...[A home In The Meadow; tune: Greensleeves]

For I am married to a house carpenter; I found him a nice young man...[House Carpenter]

Tim Finnegan lived on Walkin Street, a gentle Irishman mighty odd. He'd a bit of a brogue so rich and sweet, and to rise in the world he carried a hod... [Finnegan's Wake]

Genie

Jim, If you or you and the kids want to parody a song to make it fit your own construction, you might rewrite the Stuart Hamblen gospel song "This Old House" as "Our New House" or "Our New Place" or something like that. It's about a [metaphoric] house wearing out; you could reverse it and make it about either the need for remodeling/expansion or the new construction itself. Good luck.

08 May 02 - 03:14 AM (#706512)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST

REFRESH

10 May 02 - 12:07 AM (#707893)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST

10 May 02 - 12:45 AM (#707907)
Subject: Lyr Add: BRIDGES (Bill Staines)
From: BlueSage

If you were interested in a building song that encourages the listener to better themselves, try 'Bridges' by Bill Staines. It contrasts good and bad by comparing them to bridges and canyons.

BRIDGES
(Bill Staines)

There are bridges, bridges in the sky. They are shining in the sun.
They are stone and steel and wood and wire. They can change two things to one.
They are languages and letters. They are poetry and all.
They are love and understanding and they're better than a wall.

There are canyons. There are canyons. They are yawning in the night.
They are rank and bitter anger. They are all devoid of light.
They are fear and blind suspicion. They are apathy and pride.
They are dark and so foreboding and they're oh, so very wide.

Let us build a bridge of music. Let us cross it with a song.
Let us span another canyon. Let us right another wrong.
And if someone should ask us where we're off and bound today,
We will tell them building bridges and be off and on our way.

Enjoy.... Mike

10 May 02 - 02:45 AM (#707945)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: GUEST,macca

How about MacAlpine's Fusiliers. Many an old timer from the early folk boom days could probably sing this one backwards.... It might sound better that way....

Who remembers?

As down the glen, came MacAlpine's men, With their shovels slung behind them......

10 May 02 - 01:41 PM (#708329)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: SharonA

Not a positive song about building, exactly, but there's "Little Boxes".

10 May 02 - 02:15 PM (#708360)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: SharonA

Here's a cute "action song" (with motions to perform while one sings) for the young ones: "Build a Home" http://kididdles.com/mouseum/b050.html

12 May 02 - 09:08 PM (#709810)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: Jim Bean

Thanks to all for all the great stuff! Sorry it took so long for me to get back. I keep losing the thread, but now I know how to find it. Thanks Karen K.

13 May 02 - 08:31 AM (#710127)
Subject: RE: Songs about building
From: RoyH (Burl)

There is an old gospel song 'Working on a Building' sung by the Swan Silvertones, among others. 'McAlpine's Fusiliers' always brings Dominic Behan to my mind. He was the first I heard sing it. He may well have written it.

13 May 02 - 01:00 PM (#710320)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE TREEHOUSE SONG (Charles Ipcar)
From: Charley Noble

Here's an alternative housing song about a house thata child built, with the help of his father, despite the wrath of the neighbor, and the goodwill of the city building chief and the newspapers. These are my introductory notes on the song from a draft of the Housing and Neighborhood Songbook:

THE TREEHOUSE SONG


As Darwin observed in The Descent of Man tree shelters were constructed and occupied by the orang in the islands of the Far East and the chimpanzees in Africa long before man evolved. However, there can be little doubt that early man further refined these secure platforms in the trees and that modern man has contributed significantly to this process. Still, I was surprised to read headlines in 1992 that announced that 7-year-old Benjamin Kolko's urban treehouse was the subject of some controversy. It seems the next door neighbor considered the treehouse an eyesore and demanded that it be taken down. When Ben's father refused to do so, the neighbor went to the City of Portland Building Department and filed a complaint. Thinking about the other great struggles that have been recorded in verse, I could not resist writing a song for Ben, which was later printed in the city newspaper. Ultimately, the Building Department issued a building permit with a list of requirements that were quickly complied with. Then, the Building Department Chief was gracious enough, and savvy enough, to lead a tour of the treehouse for a group of second graders.

THE TREEHOUSE SONG
(Words by Charles Ipcar © 1992 Tune: adapted from Beverly Hillbillies' Theme Song)

Ben built a house, high up in a tree,
Ben built a house for everyone to see;
It had cedar shingles and a plywood floor –
Three small windows and a big front door.

Ben built a house for all his friends to share,
They'd play all day, high up in the air;
The birds and squirrels were very surprised to see –
Three little kids hanging out in a tree.

But the next door neighbor shook his head and swore,
"The City's gonna hear about this big eyesore!"
Inspector Rowe came by and a letter soon was sent;
You know, Ben hadn't filed for a building permit.

"You can't build a treehouse without central heat,
A bathroom, a kitchen, or a bedroom suite;
The codes are quite specific", said Inspector Rowe;
"A building is a building, and this one has to go!"

Now Ben and his family don't know what to do,
Some friends urge compliance, some urge them to sue;
When you're only seven it's so hard to understand,
Why a treehouse in everyone's front yard isn't part of the City's master plan!

The treehouse is still there the last time I checked!

Regards,
Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble