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Lesson Listings: Blues Songs
Overview | Part One + Two | Demonstration Example | Reflection Write | Students'
Publication
Brainstorm
1) Cat dying, 2) Parent's divorce, 3) Breaking up,
4) Losing student council elections, 5) Moving from Chicago
10 minute reflection then
Highlight phrases that meaningfully tell the story:
Death of Sneaky, my cat
Got a phone call from work saying
"He’s dying." I left work, fighting back tears. A sense of urgency
spurring me to shatter the speed limit home. Screaming and crying to
myself in the car, I prayed he wouldn’t die before I saw him. A sour lump
weighed in my throat as I entered the house. Mom and Dad told me their sadness with their
eyes as I entered the room. On this sunny day bleeding through the blinds, he lay on my bed shaking from Death’s cold touch.
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing
what warmth I could. Turning to my parents who stood at the door, I croaked,
"Let’s take him to the vet and put him to rest."
I held him as they plowed traffic aside. Did
his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath. It rattled like chains and
he shuddered and stiffened as my tears fell. I gathered his final
exhale as they pulled up to the vet. Hoarsed my soft goodbye,
and let the vet take him away.
He’s gone from my life. I remember him fondly and with a
familiar ache in my throat. Yet, he is part of me now in spirit.
Construct the song using the highlighted phrases.
Find the opening lines first. Make replies relect your feelings.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Got a phone call saying "He’s
dying."
Oh Lord, I got a phone call, "He’s dying." |
| Line 3 (reply) |
Lord don't carry him home before I see him again. |
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2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Oh, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold
touch.
Yes Lord, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold touch. |
| Line 3 (reply) |
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing what
warmth I could. |
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3rd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Lord did his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his
last breath?
Please let his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath. |
Line 3 (reply) -
Ironic Twist |
I'll gathered his final exhale so he's part of my
spirit til death. |
Revise Blues Song
Review your piece and make changes that enhance the emotion, story, and the structure of
the blues song. The red are my changes. Compare with the draft above.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Got a phone call saying "He’s dying and in pain."
Oh Lord, I got a phone call, "He’s dying and in pain." |
| Line 3 (reply) |
Lord don't carry him home before I see him again. |
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2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Oh, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold hand.
Yes Lord, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold hand. |
| Line 3 (reply) |
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing what
warmth I had. |
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3rd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2 |
Lord did his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his
last breath?
Please let his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath. |
Line 3 (reply) -
Ironic Twist |
I'll gathered his final exhale so he's part of my
spirit til death. |
View Blues songs by various artists OR
return to Blues Part One for a listing of links.
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