Times Are Hard
Times Are Hard
A sea shanty arranged in 3 parts, suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils. This song was collected from Mr Stileman by Cecil Sharp in Bristol on 14 July 1914.
A shanty is a work song that was sung by the sailors on large merchant sailing ships to keep them in time when hauling on ropes or pulling oars etc. The songs had different rhythms and were improvised (adapted and made up) to be longer or shorter as needed. They were call and response songs performed by a soloist who sang a line and the rest of the crew who responded in chorus. The soloist was called the shantyman and he would have had a strong voice.
This song is duplicated in two resource packs which include teaching notes. You can download these from the PDF tab
You can hear and download audio recordings of all the songs by clicking on the audio tab.
This pack is the result of a partnership between The Full English learning programme and Bristol Sings Music who are using this pack with various primary schools in Bristol.
Bristol Sings Music
Bristol Sings Music is the singing strategy for Bristol Plays Music. It aims to enable all children and young people in our schools to access opportunities to sing, and to develop their skills, knowledge and repertoire to maintain provision in the coming years.
Led by Welsh National Opera, Bristol Sings Music also involves Bristol Plays Music, St George’s Bristol, Sing Up, South West Music School, Drake Music, Making Music, Bristol Choral Society and Bristol Schools' Music Society. The Partnership is passionate about singing in Bristol, bringing together good practice and join up the singing sector.
Leading on the project for Welsh National Opera is project manager Laurie Stewart. Laurie has working in the field of music education for many years and was formally Sing Up Area Leader for Bristol. She is also a classically trained singer, studying at the Royal College of Music (BMus Hons) and The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (MMus).
Carolyn Robson
Carolyn is a professional singer and musician specialising in traditional folk song and dance. Her extensive repertoire consists mainly of songs from her native Northumberland and Scotland as well as from other parts of the British Isles. Carolyn is also a qualified teacher and has taught at schools in England, Scotland and Wales. She has been a consultant for a BBC TV Folk Dance series for schools, and until 1996 she was the Education Officer for the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Carolyn directs several community choirs and runs workshops at festival and events across the country.
Roots A Capella
Roots A Capella are a youth choir run by Wren Music in Devon, facilitated by Sarah Owen and Paul Wilson. They have provided an audio recording for this songs, which is available on the audio tab.
Media
Audio:
