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Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour

18 Jul 02 - 09:32 AM (#750357)
Subject: Songs to sing in labour
From: Hecate

I've been told that singing during labour is good for helping the breathing and keeping you calm. Fine in theory, save for the fact that I don't know many cheerful songs, and even I balk at bringing a new life into the world while singing "I am stretched on your grave" or the like. So, can anyone suggest anything more suitable that I might be able to learn (suggest it should not involve huge vocal range as oxygen supply may be limited.) parodies welcome and if anyone gets the urge to write, what about a birthing shanty? (plenty of scope for heaving away and hauling away I would have thought, possibly some squeezing away and pushing away as well.)


18 Jul 02 - 09:36 AM (#750361)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Snuffy

Try this thread Lyr Req: No Bed of Roses for the Childbirth Shanty.

WassaiL! V


18 Jul 02 - 09:42 AM (#750363)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Mrrzy

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Can you put that to music? (Sorry, if I can't be helpful, at least I can be...)


18 Jul 02 - 09:43 AM (#750365)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: greg stephens

There's an English canal song called "Push boys push" which might suit; probably better change "boys" to " girls" though.


18 Jul 02 - 09:54 AM (#750374)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Hecate

So there is a shanty..... figures. I have heard "push boys push" but only the once - isn't it about going through a tunnel or something? Vagely apt.


18 Jul 02 - 09:56 AM (#750376)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: GUEST,JTT

"And we'll have little childeren
And we'll rear them neat and clean
To shout 'Up de Valera'
And to sing about Sinn Fein"


18 Jul 02 - 10:14 AM (#750389)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: greg stephens

It is indeed about going through a tunnel....couldnt be more suitable.


18 Jul 02 - 10:36 AM (#750408)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar

"We'll keep the red flag flying"?

Only problem is that Tony and friends don't know the words.


18 Jul 02 - 11:28 AM (#750457)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: GUEST,Steve

Happy Birthday?


18 Jul 02 - 11:42 AM (#750466)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: GUEST,HDF

"I'm walking the floor over you"


18 Jul 02 - 12:42 PM (#750518)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: greg stephens

GUEST,Steve: That one goes in my scrapbook of funniest ever postings.


18 Jul 02 - 01:00 PM (#750528)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: dick greenhaus

My ex went into labor singing "The Boys Won't Leave the Girls Alone". Worked for her.


18 Jul 02 - 01:05 PM (#750531)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: lady penelope

"please release me, let me goooo......"

"We gotta get outta this place......."

Or you could sing about what got you into this situation with the "Hurrah for Toyboys" shanty.

One that could keep you hyperventilating if you sing it at the right speed...Marie's wedding.

You could go for 'vindictive' with " I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair".

My mum swears it was the only time she ever managed the top notes in the Queen of the Night's aria.

MMmmm, needs further thought.

TTFN M'Lady P.


18 Jul 02 - 01:56 PM (#750561)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: GUEST,Sonja

Well, some folks think "Danger Waters" is about childbirth. It's not real uplifting, though.

How about one from the baby's perspective: "Dark As A Dungeon"
or "Any Day, Now, I Shall Be Released?"

For a labor song, you can't beat The Volga Boatman song,
"Yo-oh, heave ho!!"


18 Jul 02 - 02:24 PM (#750574)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Liz the Squeak

'Sorry the day I was married'?

If it's a difficult birth then 'Haul away boys' might be appropriate?

Seriously, a nice long even shanty where you can scream out the chorus is probably best. I did it the easy way and had an elective Caesarean, mainly because Bratling was upside down, inside out and back to front, so I can't compare but having seen my best friends in long labours, I'd go for the long haul shanties!

Just as well I didn't sing, I can get the high notes in the Queen of the Night aria without exterior assistance....

LTS


18 Jul 02 - 02:28 PM (#750577)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: SharonA

From the baby's perspective: "Here Comes the Sun" (or from your perspective, if it's a boy: "Here Comes the Son").


18 Jul 02 - 05:47 PM (#750683)
Subject: Lyr Add: PUSH, PUSH AWAY
From: Jeri

Well, best I can deliver (so to speak):

PUSH, PUSH AWAY

If I was the Queen of Life
I'd have a revolution
Way, push away
I'll push away now!
The boys would have the babies
It could wreck THEIR constitution
Way, push away
I'll push away now!

Way, push away,
I'll push like hell for baby
Way, push away
I'll push away now!

My loving partner's here with me
I hold his hand in mine-O
Way, push away
I'll push away now!
I push, and how the bones do snap
But he tells me all is fine-O
Way, push away
I'll push away now!

Way, push away,
I'll push like hell for baby
Way, push away
I'll push away now!

Oh doctor dear, where is the head
This experience wears thin-O
Way, push away
I'll push away now!
Baby's s'posed to come on out
But I think s/he's going in-O
Way, push away
I'll push away now!

Way, push away,
I'll push like hell for baby
Way, push away
I'll push away now!



19 Jul 02 - 02:09 PM (#751172)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Deda

Dear Hecate -- Why don't you know many cheerful songs? There are hundreds and hundreds of them. Labor is no joke, and during a lot of it you won't feel like singing at all - but I wish I had sung love songs to my arriving babes. Like "You're in my heart, you're in my soul, you'll be my friend should I grow old..." The Incredible String Band, (Robin Williamson et al-- remember them?)I'm pretty sure it was, had a song in the 70s about how wonderful and amazing a baby is -- and it's floating just outside of my mental reach, taunting me. All I can catch is something about "you are so bright..." OK here it is: http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~bakkevol/isb/tam.html

You get brighter every day -- and every time I see you.
Scatter brightness in your way -- and you taught me how to love you.
(etc.)

There are a lot of wonderful children's songs, too. If you're smart enough to think about singing during childbirth, you'll have a massive number of songs to choose from. How about, "Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?"


19 Jul 02 - 06:07 PM (#751289)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Mrs.Duck

How about 'Rolling Home by John Tams
Stand firm and stand together
Your labour is your own
When we go rolling home
When we go rolling home


19 Jul 02 - 06:19 PM (#751291)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: C-flat

or maybe......." I should have danced all night"


19 Jul 02 - 07:08 PM (#751316)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Angie

My twin sister and I sang our way through my second ankle biters birth and basically we just sang anything that had baby in it eg "But baby it's cold outside". Try it, it takes your mind off the proceedings.


19 Jul 02 - 07:23 PM (#751321)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: McGrath of Harlow

Some inspired suggestions (especially "Happy Birthday"). But I reckon that girl's skipping songs might be what you'd actually want - I imagine they might help keep the rapid breathing that's supposed to be useful in these situations. And the words fit well enough too in some cases,as well as being simple and repetitive, and comforting to people who grew up with them:

The big ship sailed down the alley-alley-o
the alley-alley-o
the alley-alley-o.
The big ship sailed down the alley-alley-o
on the last day of September

Or

In and out the dusty bluebells,
In and out the dusty bluebells,
In and out the dusty bluebells,
Who will be my neigbour.

And so on.


20 Jul 02 - 03:16 AM (#751474)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Kaleea

"I'll Never Fall In Love Again" or perhaps when the hard labour really hits, one can look up at the father of one's baby & sing/scream: "Hit the Road Jack, and don't ya come back no more!!" Or else hum the theme song to "The Untouchables"? Perhaps some Belly Dancing music would be in order?


20 Jul 02 - 03:21 AM (#751475)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: alison

as a midwife I can honestly say I've never met anyone who sang through labour.... I've had plenty who swore a lot though *grin*...... but it'd be interesting... you'll need short songs to fit in between the contractions........ of course if you have an epidural you'll be quite happy to sing anything you like......

when are you due?

slainte

alison


20 Jul 02 - 04:53 AM (#751504)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Genie

How about Faith Hill's big hit "Breathe?"


20 Jul 02 - 05:04 AM (#751512)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: GUEST,JTT

And for the putative father, of course, there's "Yessir, that's my baby".


20 Jul 02 - 02:13 PM (#751657)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: John MacKenzie

Born Free [After which you start paying]


26 Jul 02 - 05:21 AM (#754814)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Hecate

In answer to the many questions, I am due any time now. I don't know many cheerful songs because I am a morbid git and have always tended to prefer more depressing stuff. Much of which is too hard to sing under pressure. (Carrick Fergus, the gay green gown, Three ravens and things of that ilk.)

Experimentation with the bouts of contractions I've had indicates that singing does help - keeps my mind of things and obliges me to breath regularly. Shanties do sound like a good idea, and I love the birthing shanties that have turned up.

Thanks for all the suggestions, there are some good ones in there.

Apparently pethedine is good for singing - have a friend who had some for a non-baby related thing, and spent most of her time singing the Padstow May song at the top of her voice, to the bemusement of the medical staff around her!


26 Jul 02 - 07:22 AM (#754848)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Tweed

How about "Linin' Track"? Good for choppin' wood, digging footers and of course, straightenin' the rails of the Southern Line or Great Northern.
Tweed's mp3 Version


26 Jul 02 - 08:10 AM (#754861)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Wilfried Schaum

Marching through Georgia?


26 Jul 02 - 11:40 AM (#754990)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: DougR

"I'll Be Glad when your Out you Rascal You!"

DougR


26 Jul 02 - 12:43 PM (#755024)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Art Thieme

If Yassir Arafat is the father (you can always have a "pap test" to find out who is the pappy) have him sing "YASSIR, HE'S MY BABY".

My favorite labor song (for multiple births) is "WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED".

Art Thieme


26 Jul 02 - 01:44 PM (#755044)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: lady penelope

Jeri......LMAOROTF! Should I ever "fall" I'll keep this one for that special time.

TTFN M'Lady P.


26 Jul 02 - 01:52 PM (#755047)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs to sing in labour
From: Ron Olesko

I guess you can scratch "Who Let the Dogs Out" from the list and "Having My Baby" is too obvious (and obnoxious).

Shanties and field hollers would work the best. Perhaps a Scottish waulking song? Something to keep up a rhythm and give you the freedom of breathing and shouting when necessary.