Week #22 Easy to Play & Sing 2-3 Chord Songs

Author

Lisa Peterson
May 20, 2025

Week #22

Easy to Play Songs with 2-3 Chords

This is week 22 of the year and we will be celebrating songs that are easy to play, with only 2-3 chords, by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.

The songs are:

  • America (My Country Tis of Thee)

  • Cielito Lindo

  • Count Your Blessings

  • Crawdad Song

  • Down by the Riverside

  • Down in the Valley

  • Down to the River to Pray

  • For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow

  • He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands

  • It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More

  • I've Got Peace Like a River 

  • Midnight Special

  • My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

  • Rockin' Robin  

  • She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain

  • Sloop John B

  • Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

SING ALONG

Featured Song

HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS

“He’s Got the Whole World” is a folk song popular in African American spiritual traditions. It is said to have been written by Master Sergeant Obie Edwin Philpot and was first published in 1927. The song experienced a re-vitalization after a cover by Laurie London became internationally popular. Since then, the song has been featured in several movies and television shows.

  • 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?

Did you ever see the Ed Sullivan show? Check out Laurie London, a 13 year old from England, bringing this timeless song to #2 on the US charts in 1958. Go ahead and sing along with Laurie London!

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

Did you know that playing music can help reduce stress? Check out this article on the benefits of playing kazoo! Some of the easiest instruments to start out with are:

If you decide to try an instrument, share your story! at  [email protected] 

CAREGIVING TIPS

Finding easy singalong videos on youtube is a great caregiving tool. Susie Q is a very popular channel for many memory care facilities. Here she is singing our featured song of the week, He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.

Here are a few ways you can use this song this week:

  1. Incorporate you and your loved one’s names into the song

  2. For example: “He’s Got Lisa and Mary in his hands (x3), He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands

  3. You can use this song as a greeting song as you start your day or shift together.

  4. You can change the lyrics to fit the activity you are transitioning to such as “It’s time for dinner, come on over (x3)” to the tune

Benefits of using music during your care routines:

  • Reduces Stress & Anxiety

  • Improves Mood & Happiness

  • May Reduce Symptoms of Depression 

  • Helps connect with others (can be a good bonding experience with the one you care for as well)

  • Boosts Immune System

  • Lowers Blood Pressure

  • Boosts Circulation

  • Relaxes Muscles

DID YOU KNOW?

He’s Got the Whole World was:

  • the first gospel song to hit #1 on a U.S. pop singles chart

  • Judy Garland and her daughter sang it as a duet in 1964

  • Laurie London, a 13 year old English boy, achieved fame singing this song back in 1957, turning the song into an international hit!

Story

Creating more fun and silliness with kazoos/slide whistle

A few years ago, I asked my daughter to take part in my music video (along with Dan Thompson-Aue), and she hesitated. Because she was shy and did not want to feel put on the spot. Some of you might feel the same way, when it comes to participating in music. To lighten the mood and create a “no mistakes or failures” full proof way that she could participate, we offered her the slide whistle or the kazoo. She chose the slide whistle and jumped right in! She looks like she was having fun, and I know that I had fun. And I hope you all had fun watching the video and feel inspired to try it yourselves!

Kazoos and slide whistles are such easy and immediate ways to bring more joy, laughter and smiles into your moments together. Check out the video to see how my daughter and I connected through music, specifically with the slide whistle. You can use a kazoo in its place, if you want to try this at home with the one(s) you care for. When playing a kazoo or slide whistle, you do not need any musical training. You just hum in the kazoo or blow into the slide whistle.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter. I hope you found at least one tip or inspiration that will bring more joy to your caregiving. 😄

In the music, 
Lisa Peterson
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