Week #24 Folk Songs Covered by Harry Belafonte

Author

Lisa Peterson
June 09, 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

SING ALONG

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] 

CAREGIVING TIPS

Try playing Word Search with the songs from this week! The Word Search is on this pdf file. It includes the puzzle and the answer. Just review the list of words, then search for them in the letter scramble, and circle the words that you find in the letter scramble. You can offer a physical prize (food or drink treat, hand lotion, tissues, etc) or a celebration with cheers and a hug. Have fun!

Why do a Word Search?

  • it’s a fun distraction from daily routines

  • it might trigger memories

  • it is a great way to use the songs for the week

  • it could stimulate singing or humming or dancing, which creates feelings of connection and safety

  • it often brings smiles, laughter and celebration!

 

What you need:

  • Recordings of the songs (from these youtube or soundcloud links or the ones above) to inspire you!

  • Willingness to have fun

  • Prizes ready (food or drink treat, lotion, tissues, card, flowers, hugs, words of celebration, etc.) for completing the Word Search

  • A marker to circle the songs that are found

  • Printed out Word Search

  • Allow 20-30 minutes to play, including time to reminisce

  • Invite others to join you

DID YOU KNOW?

Music can significantly impact plant growth. Studies have shown that exposing plants to music, particularly classical music, can lead to faster and healthier growth compared to plants not exposed to music. Not only can music help bring more joy and peace to people, it can make our plants healthier.

Try putting on some music to bring more peace to you, your loved ones and your plants. Let us know what the results are at [email protected]

Story

Harry Belafonte- a beloved person, singer, actor and activist, lived to be 96 years old. Here is a compilation of his biggest hits. See how many of them you know!

Harry Belafonte

“Each and every one of you has the power, the will and the capacity to make a difference in the world in which you live.”- Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte used his voice and fame to make the world a better place, inspiring many generations. Some of his accomplishments were:

  • Pioneering Calypso Music: Belafonte played a pivotal role in bringing calypso music to a wider audience, notably with his hugely successful album Calypso in 1956. This album became the first LP to sell over a million copies by a single artist and featured his signature song "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)".

  • Versatility across Genres: Beyond calypso, he also excelled in various musical styles including folk, blues, gospel, show tunes, and American standards.

  • Engaging Performances: Belafonte was known for his charismatic and engaging stage presence, which made his live performances a joy for audiences.

  • Champion of Civil Rights: Belafonte was a close friend and confidant of Martin Luther King Jr., actively supporting and fundraising for the Civil Rights Movement. He participated in numerous demonstrations and used his platform to advocate for equality.

  • Global Humanitarian: His activism extended beyond the United States, as he fought against apartheid in South Africa and raised funds for famine relief in Africa.

  • Using Art as a Tool for Change: Belafonte was renowned for his ability to seamlessly blend his artistic career with his activism, demonstrating how artists could utilize their influence for social good. He even described himself as "an activist that became an artist, not an artist that became an activist".

His life is told in the moving film “Sing Your Song”. If you are a fan of Harry Belafonte, you might enjoy learning a little bit more about his life by watching this movie.

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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