Song Writing

Introduction

Songs are an important way to pass on cultural lore, history and information about the environment. Many other cultures also use song as a way of sharing and remembering stories. A lot of popular songs use narrative, and their structure, rhythm and rhyme make the story catchy and engaging. Are there any songs you know that tell a story?

Learning Sequence

1. Watch a video of Slim Dusty singing Waltzing Matilda and ask students to see if they can follow the story being told. You may like to provide a handout or display the lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqtttbbYfSM

2. At the end, have students write down and/or share:

a. What they think happened in the story.

b. Why they think this song is often called an ‘unofficial Australian anthem’. E.g., how does it relate to traditional Australian (colonial) values and mythology? Do they think it’s a worthy anthem? Why or why not?

c. What they think ‘Waltzing Matilda’ might mean (The title was Australian slang for travelling on foot with one’s belongings in a “matilda” slung over one’s back.)

3. Use a display or print-outs of the lyrics to discuss the different parts of the song, such as the verses, bridge, and chorus, and how they relate the story. Note how the chorus changes each time. Have students highlight any words that rhyme (ee sounds), and see if there is a pattern (A, B, C, B)

4. Using this song, or another that they like, as a template, students will now research and create a ballad reflecting their local area and history.

5. As a class, brainstorm various topics students might like to create their songs about. (format list below in brainstorm style)

a. The life story of an Elder or historical figure from the area.

b. Changes to the landscape following European settlement.

c. Significant features in the local environment.

d. A story from their own life.

e. A significant event, such as beating a rival town in the footy grand final.

f. Historical events such as displacement of Aboriginal people from the area.

g. Navigating the landscape to find food and/or water.

h. Surviving a drought or fire.

6. Individually conduct research to choose the key parts of the story each student would like to tell. Use the Songwriting Handout (TOOLBOX) to help students to see the structure of Waltzing Matilda, and, if they like, to use the structure to create their own version of the song. If they prefer, they may choose another song to match to, or create an original song and tune.

7. Revise rhyme and practice counting syllables (you may like to count a few of the verses as a class and note the syllable count on the handout). The song will work with any rhyme sound (oo, ee, ay, ie), and they can change sounds between verses. The chorus should be consistent.

8. Once students have mapped the main parts of their story to the song, they can begin to craft their song using the template. Help them to choose a refrain by creating a catchy line or phrase.

9. Refine and practice the songs.

10. Work with a music teacher or with the backing track to set the songs to music. Backing track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTnHGRKpQc

11. Arrange a performance. Students may sing or recite their songs. Confident students may like to perform at an assembly.