8th Grader Bo Worth sings Barry Lane's school reform parody song of Leonard Cohen's classic. 

Sos Hallelujah by Bo Celli

Talk with Me: Demo

Pajama Day, a song about the importance of play in learning.

pajama day demo 2

The Me I Never Was

Words by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Music by Barry Lane 



If I’d been born a baby
In a very different place
I’d look up at my mama
Who would have a different face.

I’d speak another language
I don’t know what I’d eat
I’d look out of my window
At an unfamiliar street

If you wonder why I do not hate
I’ll tell you it’s because
I sit here  and  I ponder 
The me I never was


I would know the little birds
When my mama sang to me
I’d giggle at the words
When I gazed up at the trees

We might be safe
We might be scared
We might be in a war
I might call home a village
on a dreamy, distant  shore


If you wonder why I do not hate
I’ll tell you it’s because
I sit here and I  ponder 
The me I never was
  
    






   (bridge)
What if I were hungry
Or cold or sad or scared?
Would someone else imagine me
And try to show they cared?

I hug them in my heart
These imaginary mes’
I sit here and I  ponder
The` possibilities.


I’m  standing in my backyard.
I’m riding in my car.
I’m laughing with my mama
I’m looking  at the stars

I’m grateful for my happy home
So safe, so sweet, so warm
But how can anybody know
the life where they ‘ll be born?


If you wonder why I do not hate
I’ll tell you it’s because
I sit here and I  ponder 
The me I never was
	

The me I never was
The me that I might be
I sit here and I  ponder  
The possibilities

The Me I Never Was

The Me I Never Was  (demo)

This year lets teach kids to write for real.

The Real Thing (For Writing Teachers)

Superficial-Unrealistic-Rigor-Is-Atrocious
                 by Paul W. Hankins and Barry Lane

Superficial-Unrealistic-Rigor-Is-Atrocious
Yet so many education reformers propose this
“If you drill them hard enough, they’ll stay upon their toes-es!” 
Superficial-Unrealistic-Rigor-Is-Atrocious

RIGGED  RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR
RIGGED  RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR 
RIGGED RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR RIGGED RIGORRRRRRR

We shouldn’t be afraid to speak when policies seem bad.
We have the best democracy the world has ever had.
Why do they keep on scolding us on how we  run our class
Take those mandates and those  tests and……….. 
help us stay on task!!!
 
Superficial-Unrealistic-Rigor-Is-Atrocious!
What qualifies you to be the Education Moses?
Testing is not teaching; we don’t buy the mass hypnosis.
Superficial-Unrealistic-Rigor-Is-Atrocious

RIGGED  RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR
RIGGED  RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR 
RIGGED RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR RIGGED RIGORRRRRRR

We knew this kid named Billy; his life  had not been kind.
It seemed that  he would be a child left  far, far far  behind.
A caring teacher found a way to reach this little boy.
Now reading, writing, rithmatic Is this lad’s pride and joy!
 
Super-Teachers-Always-Know-Connection is-Where-The-Hope-Is
Let them lead their classrooms with a student centered focus
Please untie their hands and lose this Data Hocus Pocus  
Super-Teachers-Always-Know-Connection’s-Where-The-Hope-Is

REAL RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR 
REAL RIGOR RIGORRRRR
REAL RIGOR RIGOR RIGOR
REAL RIGOR  RIGOR RIGOR RIGORRRRR

Super- teachers- always- know- connection is where hope is.
Super-teachers-always –know –conection is where hope is.
If your feeling sad we hope this song will help you cope with.
Superfificial -unrealistic-rigor- that’s atrocious!!!

Superficial Unrealistic Rigor is Attrocious

A song about the  healthy rebellion of teachers who stand up for their students.

We Found Defiance

The Rock

A song to save our beloved Earth.  By Barry Lane and Paul Epstein.  Guitar, vocals and fiddle by Paul Epstein.

copyright 2019 Barry Lane and Paul Epstein.  All rights reserved.
Call 802 345 9193 for more information.

Out Here On Mars

Happy Birthday , Steven!!!!.m4a

I Write the Tests, I Write the Tests
                   
                           (Barry Manilow, Barry Lane, Carol-lee Lane, Amy Ludwig Van Derwater)



I write the tests that make the whole world fail,
if you don’t pass we’ll put your school up for sale.
I write the tests that make the whole world see
our corporatized reality

We stack the data just to monetize,
kids education, so it’s no surprise,
your school is failing and must privatize,
and our stock begins to rise.

I write the tests that really stunt our schools,
don’t think or write or ask, just follow the rules.
Forget the arts and curiosity,
No need for a democracy.

I write the tests and there’s no time for play,
you will sit down and you will do what I say.
For half the year it will be judgment day.
Just watch your childhood melt away.

I write the tests that keep the status quo.
Buy them today. Watch our economy grow

Don’t tell the emperor he has no clothes,
just keep your students on their toes.

Don’t tell the emperor he has no clothes,
just keep your students on their toes.


I Write the Tests,  I Write the Tests

Pajama Day Demo

I am a writer, singer, producer, publisher. I work with children and teachers of all grade levels and ages teaching a love of writing and tools of the craft. I believe, like Pete Seeger that songs, can unite people, touch  them deeply and change the world in the process.  


Barrylane55

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