Two Books Participating in “The Folk Process”

Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: December 4, 2009

• In: Sing Along Tracks | Singable Book Title | Vocal Tracks
• Comment!

In a previous post, I featured a quote from Peter Yarrow about “The Folk Process,”  that making changes to the lyrics or music of a folk song is “not only allowed, it’s expected and admired as a part of a music that celebrates the gifts of each individual to interpret the music as he or she sees fit.”

Many Singable Books, illustrated for children, have made fun use of this process.  Here are two:

Hush, Little Dragon
Words by Boni Ashburn
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Most parents have suffered the torture of an inconsolable crying baby will attest that he or she would be willing to do for or give that baby ANYTHING, if only baby will STOP that most agonizing of sounds. 

This book cleverly captures (in funny lyrics and deep hued illustrations) a mom dragon doing whatever she can to appease the baby, bringing it everything from kings to musketeers and you can sing it all to the traditional tune! 

If a capella isn’t your style, or if the tune escapes you, try the “Hush, Little Baby” tracks “Lullaby Magic” by Joanie Bartle or the instrumental on “All time Favorite Children’s Songs” found on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-time-favorite-childrens-songs/id292531502

Sleep, Baby Sleep
Traditional Tune
Words by Maryann Cusimano Love
Illustrated by Maria van Lieshout

This book makes use of the traditional lullaby and Mother Goose rhyme to create a whole new song that not only lulls a child to sleep, but gently shares life lessons through the journey of a day.  The pictures are whimsical pen and water color that lighten the mood and are refeshingly straightforward, thankfully missing the pitfall of many illustrated lullabies which are sickeningly sappy.  This one feels open and fresh.

The song is named for the traditional rhyme, for which many tracks have been recorded.  I like the vocal track (although a high key for easily singing along) on “Lullabies, A Songbook Companion”

 

For an instrumental track, the “Sleep, Baby Sleep” from the CD packaged with the book “Baby’s First Lullbies” is a good one for getting the tune and singing along.

Baby’s First Lullabies
Illustrated by Sophie Keen
(Lullabies are illustrated in the book with a CD that has vocal and instrumental tracks: Twinkle Twinkle, Sleep Baby Sleep, Rock-A-Bye-Baby, Golden Slumbers, Go To Sleep My Baby, Brahams Lullaby, All Through The Night, All The Pretty Horses)

Tags: Boni Ashburn, Kelly Murphy, Maria van Lieshout, Maryann Cusimano Love, Peter Yarrow, Sophie Keen