Deep Blue Sea

This summer I learned a simple but beautiful old time song called "Deep Blue Sea" from the talented Christen Blanton. It is a perfect song for singing simple harmony, but the words are not so perfect... after a lovely, perky opening repeating "Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea," it ends in the inevitable watery death: "It was Willy what got 'drowneded' in the deep blue sea." Not so good for young kids. Or sensitive adults, for that matter.

So I wrote some alternate lyrics for the little ones, which especially work here a couple of hours from the coast, where so many kids look forward to going to the beach every summer. It's not exactly a work of art, but I like it better than anyone "drowneding."

Deep Blue Sea

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

I’d jump and run in the big blue waves x 3

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

I’d dig and build in the sparkling sand x 3

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

I’d see the dolphins leap and play x 3

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

I’d find myself some fancy shells x 3

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea x 3

I wish that I could go right now to see the deep blue sea

Here's a mistake-ridden video of a couple verses, if you haven't heard the tune, and a harmony suggestion:

Simple, right?

Hello there, interwebs...

Once again, I find myself making a "I'm back after HOW long?" post. But it can't be avoided... here I am, starting the third week of the 2018-19 school year! It's fun looking back at my posts from 10(!) years ago, when I was a relatively new teacher. Many things have changed, but some good stuff hasn't. Hopefully most of those changes have been for the better!

All the Lower School classes had their first music class last week. We had so much fun! Younger students enjoyed singing silly songs, a tour of the space, and that old classic, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." Third-years were excited to order their recorders with a choice of three colors, and fourth-years had all kinds of questions about their planning and producing of Springfest... even though it's not till, well, Spring. We all enjoyed adding our favorite fruits and vegetables into "The Corner Grocery Store," from beans trying on jeans to bananas talking to Joanna.

Middle School started electives last week, and this trimester I'm teaching the usual First-Year (fifth grade) Music Rotation as well as an Independent Study in Music class. Each student in the independent study applied with a particular project in mind. I have a mix of first through fourth-years, doing everything from practicing saxophone to making electronic music to ukulele/songwriting. It will be a busy trimester! Students also go into their year-long advisee groups this week, after two weeks of temporary orientation groups. I'm looking forward to finding out which middle school students will be in my at-school family this year.

I expect that many students (and teachers) will be a bit on edge this week. That's because of this:

Yes, that little screaming face is home, and the big scary cone is the projected path of Hurricane Florence. "F" hurricanes have a thing for North Carolina–I personally experienced Fran and Floyd. We're all especially worried for our friends at the coast, yikes!

No promises, but I am going to do my best to keep updating my blog this school year. More soon!