Many pieces of choral literature originated as work songs in the American south. Some of my favorite examples include arrangements of John Henry, Rainbow Round My Shoulder, and The Erie Canal. Students can perform with deeper understanding when they peek into the lives of the historic singers of such songs. Primary source recordings empower students to learn about the context in which these American musical gems were forged.

Here, find a variety of work songs from a variety of genres paired with a few discussion questions. These materials could be incorporated into a number of lesson formats for in-depth inquiry. Follow this link for a sample lesson plan, guiding students to use an Elements of Music framework to deepen their explorations.