Timeless Tunesday: {Sixteen Tons}

This is a special post written by one of our wonderful U of MN practicum students, Cori Nesmith.

Sixteen Tons, a popular folk song from the 40’s, has a catchy and structured melody that easily works itself into an instructional song for an instrument playing intervention. First sing a generic version of the song and let the students shake along however they would like.

Here are the lyrics (sing to the melody of Sixteen Tons):

Ah well you shake and you shake and you shake now
And you shake and you shake and you shake now
Shake now, shake now
Shake until I say stop.

Next have students shake along to the song in the way that you lyrically instruct them (slow, fast, loud, soft, tap, roll, etc.).

Here are the lyrics (again sing to the melody of Sixteen Tons):

Ah well you shake loud, shake loud, shake loud now
And you shake loud, shake loud, shake loud now
Shake loud now, shake loud now
Shake loud until I say stop.

During this intervention students will work on attention, direction following, and gross motor skills. It can also help students practice foundational music skills of tempo (fast/slow). You can also have students decide how to play their egg shakers to increase decision-making and self-esteem.

Here is a link to Sixteen Tons sung by Tom Jones.