Week #47
Songs Andy Griffith Covered
This is week 47 of the year and we will be celebrating Songs Andy Griffith Covered, by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.
The songs are:
Crawdad Song
Down in the Valley
House of the Rising Sun
In the Garden
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
Midnight Special
Old Rugged Cross, The
Whispering Hope
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Access the material here!
Featured Song
CRAWDAD SONG
“Crawdad” is a North American folk song with roots in African American blues and the tradition of play parties, using clapping accompaniment and simple game patterns to get around religious communities’ restrictions on dancing. The song may have first been sung by workers building levees on the Mississippi river. This song’s melody is also shared with the songs “This Train Is Bound for Glory” (in this book) and “Mama Don’t ‘Llow”.
Is this melody familiar to you?
Are the words familiar?
Did you find yourself humming along?
How did it affect you? Did your awareness change? Your breath? Your focus? Your mood?
Would you feel comfortable playing this in the background and allow yourself to hum or sing along? By yourself and/or with the one(s) you care for?
The Crawdad Song Here is Andy and Opie’s version (from the Andy Griffith show) of The Crawdad Song. I hope you enjoy it!
Creative Ideas
HOW TO USE THE MUSIC
Try humming or singing along with the provided recording, or one of your choosing for increased feeling of ______.
Listen to a recording to create a shared experience.
Listen while engaged in daily routines, to add a feeling of familiarity and comfort (if the song is known and loved)
Try reminiscing with the song history, or singers of the song. Look at pictures famous singers who performed the song.
SELF-CARE TIPS
Use Your Vowels!
Making the sounds of the vowels (ah, eh, oh, oo, ee) for 60 seconds can decrease stress and help to regulate challenging feelings.
Try this:
Pick a vowel sound (ah, eh, oh, oo, or ee)
Breathe in
On your out-breathe, sound (on whatever note comes out) your chosen vowel sound
Continue the sound, until you run out of breath
Repeat steps 2-4 on each vowel sound
Take a minute to notice how you are feeling
Benefits You Might Notice:
Shift in your attention and focus
Deeper breathing
Clearer mind
Decrease in racing thoughts
More hopeful thoughts
Gentler attitude towards yourself
Share if you have any self-care tips or stories from this week at [email protected]
Subscribe to Sing & Remember to read the rest...
Join the "Sing & Remember" program to access this post, and 52 weekly messages to support you and your loved ones on your memory loss journey.
Sign Up Now