UNIT 4
SCOTTISH MUSICTRADITIONAL SONGS
_________________________________________________________________________________________LESSON ONE
The tradition of singing in Scotland divides clearly into Songs and Ballads. Ballads have been the most popular vehicle for retelling stories. The subjects of these stories are about unrequited love, war, shipwrecks, and other tragedies. Musically speaking you will find that Ballads have no chorus. That is made for helping people to understand the story better.
AULD LANG SYNE
This is one of the most popular songs not only in Scotland but in all over the world. The words are attributed to Robert Burns, a very valuated Scottish poet, although it is known that he only added a few verses to this old Ballade.
Activity 1 Teachers' guide
Listen to the old Ballad and the Burn's version.
What is the difference between them___________________________
What form does the Ballad have? A A o ABAB?
What form does the Song have? A A o ABAB?
Activity 2
The original Auld Lang Syne is sung in Scottish words. English translation is done for you. All you have to do now is to translate the song into your own language. Use the box below.
AULD LANG SYNE
Original Scottish versionVerse One
Should old acquaintances be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o'auld lang syne?Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!Verse Two
And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne
Translation into EnglishVerse One
(Should old acquaintances be forgotten)
(and never remembered)
(Should old acquaintance be forgotten)
(For old long ago)Chorus
(For old long ago, my dear)
( For old long ago)
(We will take a cup of kindness yet)
(For old long ago)Verse Two
(And there is a hand my trust friend)
(And give me a hand of yours)
(And we will take of a good drink/toast)
(For old long ago)
Translation into your own languageVerse One
Chorus
Verse Two
Many people will associate this song with Scotland or New Year. Others may consider it to be an international expression of friendship. In some occasions it is sung at the conclusion of a social gathering to say goodbye.
Activity 3
Read the song again and answer the questions below:
What do you think the song is talking about?_____________________
Do you think it is a sad or a happy song? Why?___________________
What kind of events have you sung this song in?__________________
Activity 4 Teachers' guide
You are going to listen to an explanation about this song by an American English speaker. Try to catch English words as much as you can as you listen to different versions of Auld Lang Syne.
Write all the words or whole sentences you can understand and their translation in these boxes below.
Now, listen to the broadcast again and compare the words you understood with the transcript the teacher will give you. Teachers' guide
Activity 5
Listen to the song and place the chords in the right place. These are the chords used in this piece.
G D G C
G D G C G
G D G C
G D G C G
First of all, underline the syllables accented and afterwards place the chords. The two first accented syllables are done for you. They are in bold.
1. Should old acquaintances be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o'auld lang syne?
2. And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
HOMEWORK
Look for information about Robert Burns on internet at home. These are the questions you have to answer:
1. Who was Robert Burns?
2. Where was he born?
3. What day is "Burns'dinner"?
4. What does it happen in that dinner?Activity 6Write down all new words you have learnt. Classify them into music words and non music words.
