Archive for July 17th, 2012
Not long ago, my family visited Philadelphia and we went to the Franklin Institute. Inside the front doors of the grand building is an enormous memorial for Benjamin Franklin and I took a picture…
And a little poem (to the tune of “Ode to Joy”) came to mind.
**********************
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FOUNDING FATHER
Words by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus
Sing to the tune of “Ode to Joy”
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father
Flew a kite in the lightning and felt it buzz.
He went to France and saved our new nation
By getting the promise of needed funds.
He wrote Richard’s Almanack, invented the armonica,
Bifocal lenses helped him get his reading done.
Philosopher, inventor and so much more,
A Renaissance man he truly was.
**********************
I made a little book for it…
*
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father
Words by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus
Sing to the tune of “Ode to Joy” (by Ludwig van Beethoven)
Illustrated with Online Images of Artwork by Various Artists
View or print a copy of this book, with my compliments, here:
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father Song Book by ELEG for SBWE
To hear how the song goes, here’s a little scratch recording of me singing the song (into my little digital recorder),
This book is intended for use at home or in the classroom only.
**********************
Note from Emily on 7/16/2012
So far as I’ve been able to research, no songs have been written proclaiming the praises of Benjamin Franklin. Interestingly, the only song I’ve found to mention George Washington is Yankee Doodle, and even then, he’s only mentioned as, “Captain Washington upon a slapping stallion.” I’ve got a little verse in the works also for President Washington.
I’ve recently seen a few theatrical productions (the musical 1776 at Ford’s Theatre and the HBO Mini-series “John Adams” based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by David McCullough, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney). I also recently read a wonderful book, “The Founding Brothers,” by Joseph J. Ellis (which also won a Pulitzer Prize) which is eloquent in making the case for John Adams’ indispensable role in the foundation of the United States. John Adams has not gotten the historical attention of men like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, or George Washington, but John Adams was no less important a factor in the dream of the United States becoming reality. In my humble way, I’d like to do my part is giving him some credit and look forward to writing him a little verse to a well known tune as well.
Keep you eyes peeled! Then, it is my goal to knit these three verses (each to a different, but well respected, well known tune) together to make one substantial song for kids to learn and sing, with the goal to spark their interest in learning more about these 3 fascinating men.
**********************
*
PBS Documentary webpage:
http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/index.html
*
Library Company of Philadelphia (Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731):
http://www.librarycompany.org/about/index.htm
*
Franklin Club in Philly:
http://thefranklininn.com/history/benjamin-franklin-achievements-contributions/
*
Franklin 300
An online exhibit created for Benjamin Franklin’s 300th birthday. Lots of great stuff about his amazing life, here:
http://www.benfranklin300.org/
*
Union Fire Company wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Fire_Company
*
Excellent wiki article about Benjamin Franklin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
**********************
Related Posts
*
GEORGE WASHINGTON
*
JOHN ADAMS
*
FOURTH OF JULY AND OTHER HOLIDAYS CELEBRATING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HER CITIZENS AND HISTORY
A list of Singable Picture Books celebrating the Fourth of July
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/a-patriotic-list-of-singable-books-for-july-4th/
*
EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
A list of SPBs with fun and sneakily educational content. The kids won’t even know they’re learning!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/singable-picture-books-with-sneaky-educational-content/
*
SING-ALONG RESOURCES AND PRINTABLE MATERIALS
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/sing-along-resources-2/
