Sing-along

sing-along — /sing euh lawng , long /, n. 1. an informal or unrehearsed singing of songs by a group of people, usually under the direction of a leader; songfest. 2. an occasion marked by such singing. Also, singalong. [1955 60; n. use of v. phrase sing along] … 

It was surprising to discover that the use of the verb phrase “sing-along” as a noun, first occured in 1955.  A little Internet research reveals that bandleader Mitch Miller recorded The Yellow Rose of Texas with a chorus of singers in 1955. The popularity of that number one Billboard hit then led to his first albums of standards, accompanied by lyrics that let people sing along. His television show, Sing Along with Mitch, aired from 1961-1966, inviting thousands of Americans at home to sing along with a bouncing ball - which they did, in the privacy of their own homes.

New advances in technology are enabling scientists and researchers to explore how the arts can assist with the social emotional health.  Today, brain research is exploring the impact of singing on mental health for the young and the old. First 5 California states that 90% of a child's  brain develops in the first five years of life.  Cognitive neuroscientist Julene Johnson, in partnership with the Community Music Center and the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services is currently researching the impact of community singing on the health of older adults. 

At Rooftop School, Friday Sing-Along and the Rooftop Afterschool Chorus sessions are seeding the musical memory banks of our students.

Try singing along with these children’s songs about windows: 

Throw It Out the Window 

is a silly mash up of different nursery stories. 

Look Out The Window (The Winter Song) 

is a seasonal song sung by Rosemary Clooney & Gene Autry

Go In and Out the Window

is a song that can be done with a dance.

Mary Ann shares a wonderful pair of songs sung by Pete Seeger to the same melody: 

Fly Through My Window is a list song about birds — with verses about the robin, bluebird, crow, bobwhite, whip-poor-will, hummingbird and Seeger even incorporates their songs within the song.

Little bird, little bird, fly through my window

Little bird, little bird, fly through my window

Little bird, little bird, fly through my window

Buy molasses candy.

Fly through my window, my sugarlump

Fly through my window, my sugarlump

And buy molasses candy. 

To hear more bird song, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Online Bird Guide http://birds.cornell.edu/onlineguide/ 

The melody is the same, but the words and purpose for the song are changed 

when Seeger sings Little Girl See Through My Window

Little girl, little girl, see through my window

Little girl, little girl, see through my window

Little girl, little girl, see through my window

See what you can see

I see the rich
I see the poor
I see millions, millions more

Around the ringo-world-o

I see the the clever

I see the smart,

I see the folks who have no heart

Around the ringo-world-o

I see a world

Where you and me 

Can dwell in sweet serenity

Around the ringo-world-o