(Sample) Week #35 TRAIN SONGS/HARD TIME SONGS

• Casey Jones

• Freight Train

• House of the Rising Sun

• Lovesick Blues

• Midnight Special

• On Top of Old Smokey

• She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain

• This Train is Bound for Glory

Although the musical roots of “House of the Rising Sun” may go back to the ballads of the 16th and 17th centuries, the earliest folk versions of this song were performed in the early 1900s. The lyrics describe a person’s unfortunate life circumstances growing up in New Orleans, urging others to avoid a similar destiny. Many people debate historical locations in New Orleans that may have inspired the song, with suggestions ranging from a brothel, a jail, a dance hall, or even Masonic temples or churches.

• 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?

Explore Ways To Express Your Feelings

Have you ever tried writing your feelings down? In addition to journaling, songwriting can be an effective way to acknowledge your feelings on this journey.

1. A cherished memory of something the one you care for did

2. Name something the one you care for forgets

3. How do you feel, when you miss the one you care for

4. What do you still do together, or for the one you care for, that you enjoy

5. How do you feel, as you realize the person you care for is changing

6. What can you still hold onto, despite the loss

7. Name something in nature that drifts

8. Name the quality of their eyes, when you feel disconnected

9. Name a quality that is enduring

10. What would you want the person you care for to know

Share if you have any self-care tips or stories from this week at [email protected] 

Here is an easy fill-in-the-blank sample song that might reflect some of the things that you are experiencing on your caregiving journey. You can personalize it by filling in the blanks with your chosen words selected in the left column. Match your words with the numbers in the song

Verse 1

I remember when you used to _(1)__________

Now sometimes you forget to __(2)_________

The days feel __(3)_________ without your smile

But I sit with you and __(4)_________ Chorus 

It’s hard to watch you change

My heart feels __(5)_________ today

I hold on to ___(6)________

Even as you slip away

Verse 2 

I see you drifting, like __(7)_________ Sometimes your eyes look __(8)_________

But I know that deep inside, __(9)_________

You’re still the one I’ve always known

Bridge 

If I could reach the part of you I would whisper __(10)_________

And even though you can’t recall

I’ll remember for us both, it’s true

Create Your Lyrics

1. One or two words to describe your relationship (i.e. sweetheart, dear friend, beloved, wonderful mother, best friend, etc)

2. Same as your answer for number 1

3. A good feeling you get from the one you care for

4. Name a condition of the sky when it is not happy, in one word (i.e. stormy, bleak, dark, etc)

5. Positive nickname (or real name) for the one you care for

6. Positive feeling that you have for the one you care for

7. Same as answer no. 1

You Are My Sunshine

You are my __(1)_____________

My Only __(2)_______________

You make me __(3)___________

When skies are __(4)__________

You’ll never know __(5)__________

How much I ___(6)__________ you

Please don’t take my

__(7)____________away