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Posts Tagged ‘Peter Yarrow Songbook’

Favorite Folks Songs (The Peter Yarrow Songbook), a Singable Picture Book

Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 28, 2014

In: Case for Singable Books | Dances Fingerplays & Movements | Power of Music | SBWE Sing-Along Program for Classrooms and Families | Singable Book Title
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Favorite Folk Songs
Compiled by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Collection of folk songs, illustrated from the:
The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series

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This book features lyrics, illustrations, guitar chords, historical information, and a music track for each of the following songs:

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Related Posts

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Peter Yarrow and “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/the-folk-process/

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Two Books Participating in “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/two-books-participating-in-the-folk-process/

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ILLUSTRATED COLLECTIONS OF CHILDREN’S SONGS WITH MUSIC
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/illustrated-collections-of-childrens-songs-with-music/

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Greenwich Village (music that defined a generation), a terrific, inspiring documentary
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/greenwich-village-music-that-defined-a-generation-a-terrific-inspiring-documentary/

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PETER YARROW SONGBOOK SERIES
A list of the Singable Picture Books from the Peter Yarrow Songbook series:
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/the-case-for-singing-with-children-from-peter-yarrow/

Tags: Book to Sing, Illustrated Song, Peter Yarrow, Peter Yarrow Songbook, Singable Piture Book, Singable Story

Sleepytime Songs (The Peter Yarrow Songbook), a Singable Picture Book

Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: January 31, 2014

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Sleepytime Songs
Compiled by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Collection of lullabies, illustrated from the:
The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series

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This book features lyrics, illustrations, guitar chords, historical information, and a music track for each of the following songs:

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON
OLE BLUE
ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES
HUSH LITTLE BABY
KUMBAYA
THE WATER IS WIDE
DOWN IN THE VALLEY
ALL MY TRIALS
ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
WHO’S GONNA SHOE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FOOT
BRAHMS LULLABY

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Related Posts

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Peter Yarrow and “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/the-folk-process/

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Two Books Participating in “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/two-books-participating-in-the-folk-process/

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ILLUSTRATED COLLECTIONS OF CHILDREN’S SONGS WITH MUSIC
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/illustrated-collections-of-childrens-songs-with-music/

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SLEEPYTIME SONGS
A Singable Picture Book in the Peter Yarrow Songbook Series
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/sleepytime-songs-the-peter-yarrow-songbook-a-singable-picture-book/

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LULLABIES IN SINGLE SONG SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/illustrated-lullabies-in-single-singable-picture-books/

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LULLABIES: ILLUSTRATED LULLABIES IN COMPILATIONS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/illustrated-lullabies-in-compilations/

Tags: Book to Sing, Illustrated Song, Peter Yarrow, Peter Yarrow Songbook, Singable Picture Book, Terry Widener

“The Folk Process”

Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: December 3, 2009

In: Art of Singing a Song | Case for Singable Books | Heartfelt Musings | Lyrics | Power of Music | Singable Book Title
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In the Peter Yarrow Songbook’s NOTE TO FELLOW PICKERS, Peter Yarrow talks about making changes to the words and music in folk songs,
“In folk music, making these changes 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. Making changes to a folk song is called ‘the folk process,’ which means that new players change the song’s lyrics, melody, rhythmic feel, and accompaniment to suit themselves and make the songs feel right and relevant in their own times.”

As a cabaret artist, I am always working to make a song my own, to tell my personal story, and avoid copying someone else’s work! You can do this with the songs you sing from books, too.

You and a young one can begin knowing and enjoying a folk song from a book, but with repetition you will be able to sing the song on your own. The music you sing will become part of your personal soundtrack. You and your favorite young ones can make the song your own! Make up verses, change the melody, change the rhythm. Use the song as a framework to celebrate and express what is happening in your life right now.

The kids can even make up illustrations for the new lyrics. You will participate in “The Folk Process.” And, your children will pass it along.

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Peter Yarrow, in his introduction to one of the books in the “Peter Yarrow Songbook” series, writes about “The Folk Process” which is basically the process by which singers take folk songs and change them, make them new. Each artist makes the song his/her own. “Blowin’ in the Wind” is an example of Bob Dylan participating in the folk process, taking the melody from an existing African American Spiritual and adding his own, new lyric to it. In the documentary “NO DIRECTION HOME,” Pete Seeger contributes an interesting comment about artists using this process at that time,

“The moment I became acquainted with the old songs, I realized people were always changing them. Thing o fit as an age-old process that’s been going on for thousands of years. People take old songs, change ’em a little, add to them, and opt them for new people. It happens in every other field. Lawyer change old laws to fit new citizens. So I’m one in this old chain and one of hundreds of other musicians.”

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Books that embrace THE FOLK PROCESS and even make a case for the activity in author’s notes include:

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Billy Boy
Traditional Words and Music
Verses Selected by Richard Chase
Illustrated by Glen Rounds

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Blowin’ in the Wind
Words and Music by Bob Dylan
Illustrated by Jon Muth

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Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
Traditional Words and Tune
Words Adapted by Tedd Arnold
Illustrated by Tedd Arnold
This book includes an afterward note from the author with some info about the song and fun ideas for singing it. The last pages also feature printed music.

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I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago
Traditional Words and Tune (same tune as ”She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain“)
Words Adapted by Steven Kellogg
Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
ISBN 0-688-13412-2

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Related Articles

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BILLY BOY IN SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/billy-boy-in-singable-picture-books/

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Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan, a Singable Picture Book
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/catalina-magdalena-hoopensteiner-wallendiner-hogan-logan-bogan-a-singable-picture-book/

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BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND, A SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/blowin-in-the-wind-a-singable-picture-book/

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THE SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS OF BOB DYLAN
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/the-singable-picture-books-of-bob-dylan/

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Peter Yarrow and “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/the-folk-process/

*
Two Books Participating in “The Folk Process”
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/two-books-participating-in-the-folk-process/

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Peter Yarrow Songbook Series
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/the-case-for-singing-with-children-from-peter-yarrow/

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ILLUSTRATED COLLECTIONS OF CHILDREN’S SONGS WITH MUSIC
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/illustrated-collections-of-childrens-songs-with-music/

Tags: Peter Yarrow, Peter Yarrow Songbook, The Folk Process

The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series and the Case for Singing with Others

Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: November 30, 2009

Peter Yarrow has begun publishing The Peter Yarrow Songbook, so far a collection of books all illustrated by Terry Widener: Favorite Folk Songs, Sleepytime Songs, Song for Little Folks and Let’s Sing Together. Publishing these songs in the form of picture books allows a convenient vehicle for introducing and enjoying these songs with, not just young ones, but anybody who loves music.

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Favorite Folk Songs
Compiled by Peter Yarrow
Music by Various Artists, Arranged by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Collection of lullabies, illustrated from the:
The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series

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Sleepytime Songs
Compiled by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Collection of lullabies, illustrated from the:
The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series

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Let’s Sing Together
Compiled by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Collection of Folk Songs, Illustrated from the:
The Peter Yarrow Songbook Series

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Songs For Little Folks
The Peter Yarrow Songbook
Illustrated by Terry Widener

In each introduction, he gives voice to the value of singing songs and sharing them with children.

In “Favorite Folk Songs,” he explains, “Singing these songs today allows us to experience the history and spirit of times past and also makes us feel closer to one another.”

In “Sleepytime Songs,” a book of lullabies, he writes, “In the sound of your voice they will hear your hopes, your dreams, and sense the depth of your love for them…They will never forget that you have cared enough to put the ordinary concerns of life aside to spend this special time with them.”

In “Let’s Sing Together” he explains that his first job was at a summer camp for sick children and that “When we sang together, magically, a sense of closeness emerged, as fear, teasing , and concern about the children’s illnesses melted away.”

In the “About the Author” section of each book is this thought from Mr. Yarrow, answering what would he most like to leave behind, “I would give them these songs that have helped me come to realized what, for me, is really important in life – people, love, work, and service to each other. I believe that all children can be helped to discover what’s important to them in their lives, through these songs. It’s magic, in a way, but it seems to happen every time!”

I have not yet learned what it is exactly, but something about singing lifts us up out of ourselves. When the singing begins, something special happens. Our hearts open up, our spirits lift, and the quality of our lives improves.

I look forward to celebrating and exploring with you the reasons why the simple act of singing songs (or being sung to) is such a joyous, important and meaningful activity.

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Peter Yarrow’s name is also associated with some wonderful books published by Sterling Publishing, Imagine Publishing and others, including:

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day is done yarrow sweet cover
Day is Done
Words and Music by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

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Dinosaur Pet
Inspired by the Music and Lyrics of the Song “Calendar Girl” by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield
Children’s Lyrics by Marc Sedaka
Illustrated by Tim Bowers

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Don’t Laugh at Me
Words and Music by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin
Afterword by Peter Yarrow
Illustrated by Glin Dibley
This book features printed music and a sing-along CD.

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I’m in Love with a Big Blue Frog
Words and Music by Leslie Braunstein
Performed by Peter Paul & Mary
Illustrated by Joshua S. Brunet
ISBN 978-1-936140-37-4

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It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Words and Music by Peter Paul and Mary
Illustrated by Christine Davenier
This book features a recording of Peter Paul & Mary’s performance of the song.

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The Marvelous Toy
Words and Music by Tom Paxton
Illustrated by Steve Cox
(This book is a far and away favorite with the Kindergarten set. It comes with a wonderful CD that has Tom Paxton singing on one track with a separate instrumental track, including a clearly played melody line, so you can sing solo…a wonderful edition!)

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The Night Before Christmas
Poem by Clement C. Moore
Performed by Peter, Paul and Mary
Solo Performance of Music Setting by Noel PAUL Stookey
Music by Noel Paul Stookey
Illustrated by Eric Puybaret
(This book comes packaged with a CD recording of Noel Paul Stookey’s performance of “Night Before Christmas” as well as a reading by Mary Travers, and Peter, Paul and Mary’s recording of “A’Soalin”)

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Over the Rainbow
Words and Music by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Illustrated by Eric Puybaret

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Puff and the Incredible Mr. Nobody
(Based on the Song by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton)
Story by Romeo Muller
Words and Music by Peter Yarrow
Illustrations by Fred Wolf and Chuck Swenson (Based on the TV Special)

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Puff the Magic Dragon
Words and Music by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton
Illustrated by Eric Puybaret

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Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Words by Jack Norworth
Music by Albert Von Tilzer
Illustrated by Amiko Hirao
Performed by Carly Simon
This edition gets a GOLD STAR for including the FULL song (both verses and chorus) and a fabulous recording of Carly Simon and her deligthful arrangement she made for Ken Burn’s documentary Baseball.