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(Sample) Week #24 Folk Songs Covered by Harry Belafonte

Author

Lisa Peterson
June 08, 2025

Week #24

Folk Songs Covered by Harry Belafonte

This is week 24 of the year and we will be celebrating folk songs covered by Harry Belafonte, by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.

The songs are:

  • Crawdad Song

  • Danny Boy

  • Hava Nagila

  • Michael Row the Boat Ashore

  • Midnight Special

  • On Top of Old Smokey

  • Shenandoah

  • Water is Wide, The

Featured Song

SHENANDOAH

“Shenandoah” is a traditional North American folk song that may have origins in the 1800s. The song is thought to have been sung first by Canadian and American traders who traveled on the Missouri river, but the lyrics have many associated meanings. The lyrics may refer to Native American Oneida chief Shenandoah, whom the singer is pleading with to marry his daughter. Alternatively, some interpretations take the song to be about a pioneer’s nostalgia for the Shenandoah River Valley of Virginia. The song is also associated with African Americans fleeing slavery, who were said to sing the song in gratitude to the river for covering their scent.

  • 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?

Here is Harry Belafonte singing Shenandoah back in 1959. Try singing or humming along with him!

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

Watching a tv show or movie with the one(s) you care for can be just as good for you, as it is for them! Connecting with the one you care for through music and laughter can reduce your own stress. Here are a few ideas:

  • Sound of Music movie

  • Singin’ In the Rain movie

  • South Pacific movie

  • I Love Lucy tv show

  • Carol Burnett Show tv show

  • Lawrence Welk tv show

  • Bonanza tv show

  • Grumpy Old Men movie

  • March of the Penguins movie

  • Check out this article to get more ideas

If you decide to watch a show or movie together, share your story! at  [email protected] 

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