Skip to main content

Fun Folk Songs, #2: Shake Them 'Simmons Down

In my practice, I rely a lot on a variety of folk songs--yes, there are age appropriate folk songs for even adolescents and young adults! One reason I LOVE folk songs?  Most of the beloved 'classics' are SO classic that they are public domain.  There is also a rich oral tradition in folk songs, which makes variations plentiful, so there is always a new version out there to give you new ideas.  This series will explore a few of my current favorites.

Today we look at one that I use with my adolescents and young adults with cognitive disabilities.  It is a perennial favorite!

Shake Them 'Simmons Down

CHORUS: 
(E) Shake that tree, do, oh, do, oh
Shake that tree, do, oh, do, oh
Shake that tree, do, oh, do, oh,
Shake them (B7) 'simmons  (E) down...

VERSE:
Circle to the right, do, oh, do, oh,
Circle to the right, do, oh, do, oh,
Circle to the right, do, oh, do, oh,
Shake them 'simmons down...

Other verse options:
Circle to the left...
Clap your hands...
Do-si-do...
Anything you or your clients can think of!


Goals this song addresses:
  • Increased physical activity.  We stand and form a large circle, pretending to shake a tree on "shake that tree," doing a shimmy to the floor on "shake them simmons down," turning to our right and walking around the circle on "circle to the right," and following any other movement directions that come up during the song.
  • Following directions.  This can include directionality (literally!), interpreting left and right--which can be very difficult to do in a circle.  My students tend to want to mirror image the person they see across the way, so this song is always a great review of where right and left are for each individual.  Otherwise, there are plenty of directives that can be incorporated into this song.
  • Self-expression.  I ask each client to contribute a movement idea to the song, which I then incorporate into the lyrics and model for the group.  If a client has difficulty naming a movement, I ask for a body part, and may suggest a movement.  If a client is extremely nonverbal or non-participatory, I take any response at all and incorporate it into the song ("Blink your eyes..." etc.).


A few reasons I love this song:
  • There are so many opportunities for participation, in physical, mental, and communication domains.
  • It is a simple, stepwise melody, making it easier for my students to sing.
  • It is a play-party dance, and leads to other forms of age-appropriate dancing when used as part of a unit.
  • It's fun--I love to play my guitar and shimmy and walk the circle with everyone else.  :-)



 
Labels:

Comments

  1. Anonymous3:42 PM

    Big like! A song for me to learn. Please keep the sharing of folk songs coming.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Caylyn5:20 PM

    Great, thanks! Now you'll have to start including recordings-- I'm sure you'll have time for that, ha!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment! I always check out content creators who leave links to their sites, so please share!

Popular posts from this blog

Effective Behavior Management

Building Rapport One Step at a Time Last month, I did a short presentation at my former graduate school for the student music therapy association there.  One of the programs I work in is a public school day treatment setting with adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, and the organizer of the event felt that presenting on behavior management strategies would be most informative for the group.  I thought I would share parts of my presentation here, as a new series on the blog. If you're anything like me when I was going through my music therapy practica, this is the population that produces the most anxiety for you.  Hopefully these practical, concrete tips will ease some of that anxiety, because I feel this is a very fulfilling pouplation to work with, and I hope you get the opportunity to do so someday.  It's also possible that you are very comfortable with or excited about working with this population. If that is the case, I hope this series reaff...
Post a Comment
Read more

Movement Ideas with Music, #1: The Parachute

I finally got a parachute!  It has taken me way too many years to acquire one!  In fact, it's been a windfall year for parachutes--a 12' parachute was donated to me and a 6' parachute was finally found at a super affordable price that fit my budget.  I'm really glad it worked out that way, as I need the smaller one for my tiny groups, but the big one is great for my big groups and my big kids! After check-in, I like to begin my groups with a fun movement activity.  This energizes the group, increasing their attention and motivation for the course of the session, and setting the stage for whatever work we will do later.  Sometimes it's just something fun, and other times it is directly related to other goals we will address later in the group. This is a simple activity that is paired with a relatively recent pop song, so I find it appropriate to use with all ages of children.  Grab your parachute and a copy of " Shake It Off " by Taylo...
Post a Comment
Read more

PDF for Shake them 'Simmons Down

You can view the song from this blog post and find the file available for download here !  I've notated the song in the key of C--transpose to whatever key best fits your needs.  I also notated V chords as straight Vs, but you are of course free to spice them up as V7s, or get more inventive with the chord progression as a whole--whatever best fits your population!
Post a Comment
Read more