Bohemian Folk Song brought by my grandfather to the UK in 1939, and incorporated into an orchestral piece by English composer Kenneth Wright.

Chapter 7 - Naš sedlak má dceru velkou (from BBCR3's 'The Letter')

Shanty with a 'runaway' chorus, where you run and sing at the same time, pulling the hemp line behind you; used for tacking - shifting the sails with the wind

Chapter 8 - Drunken Sailor

A short drag shanty, for hauling jobs that require short bursts of energy

Chapter 8 - Haul Away Joe

A spiritual to help endure slave labour, and also a Code song to help you escape.

Chapter 8 - Wade In The Water

Chapter 13 - Silver Swan

The music that forms our ceremony each time we visit the field where Immie's ashes lie

Chapter 13 - Scarborough Fair

The song that carries our grief at a friend's funeral

Chapter 13 - Sloop John B

One of the request songs in a hospital drop-in group

Chapter 12 - House Of The Rising Sun

The signature song for one old lady in a dementia singing group

Chapter 12 - Clementine

Something new for dementia sufferers to learn in a group singing session

Chapter 12 - Bella Mama

The song that accidentally eases agitation and distress in a Care Home

Chapter 12 - She'll be Coming Round The Mountain

A Taize chant on a hot day in Vienna, thinking about transcendental singing.

Chapter 9 - Nada te Turbe

A lullaby for Long Covid sufferers to join in during online sessions with ENO Breathe.

Chapter 6 - Abiyoyo

Chapter 5 - 16 Tons

I teach this to a community choir and get them dancing along to their own tune.

Chapter 5 - Haida

The one my disabled daughter Immie loved singing along to.

Chapter 2 - Ev'ry Body Wants to be a Cat

XR Protest - TEARS (Whitehall october 2019)

Chapter 10 - TEARS

Chapter 10 - Where have all the flowers gone?

From lullabies to songs for the dying, this is a collection of songs to accompany the reading experience of Julia's book - Why We Sing: a fascinating exploration of singing in all its varied forms, from the personal perspective of a singing therapist, teacher and performer.

Why We Sing

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