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(Sample) Week #26 ENERGIZING/INSPIRING MOVEMENT SONGS (PART 2)

Author

Lisa Peterson
June 20, 2025

Week #26

Energizing/Inspiring Movement Songs (Part 2)

This is week 26 of the year and we will be celebrating energizing/inspiring movement songs (part 2), by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.

The songs are:

  • Rock-A My Soul

  • Rockin’ Robin

  • She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain

  • Sweet Georgia Brown

  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game

  • This Train is Bound for Glory

  • When the Saints Go Marching In

  • Yankee Doodle

  • You’re a Grand Old Flag

Featured Song

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

“When the Saints Go Marching In” is an African American spiritual that has taken on jazz associations. Although early versions from the early 1900shad a slow, formal sound, the song evolved to become more rhythmic and upbeat. Due to its folk origins, there is variation in the song and lyrics but they broadly refer to imagery from the biblical Book of Revelation.The song is also associated with New Orleans’ jazz funerals, in which a brass band leads a march of family and friends as they go from the church to the cemetery to bury their loved one.

  • 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?

When the Saints Go Marching In is Here is a fun rendition of the song that I hope you enjoy!

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

Our theme again for this week is movement.

Why is movement so important?

  • decreases stress

  • feels like a “break” when you are unable to take a break

  • improves sleep

  • helps to cope with burnout

  • movement releases endorphins, which improves mood

  • releases myokines, a group of chemicals, dubbed the “hope molecule”, which helps to improve our mood, memory and learning

Here a few simple things you can add to your kitchen routines:

  • march in place while waiting for the water to boil

  • dance to your favorite song while waiting for something in the oven to cook

  • bend to pick something off the floor (if it feels safe to do so)

  • follow the ideas from the mother daughter duo in the video!

If you decide to try doing some movement while cooking, share your story! at  [email protected] 

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