- embed the song to play on the blog
- paste the lyrics
- provide some history or background for the music
What is a rhyme? A rhyme is a repetition of the same sounds in different words. English spelling and pronunciation can be difficult. The letters do not always match the sounds. Look at the word rhyme for example. We don't pronounce the letter h here. Learning rhymes can help you group words together, and improve your spelling, as well as your listening, speaking, and pronunciation.
When you find a word that is difficult for you to spell or pronounce, try and find some words you know that rhyme. Here is a great online tool for finding rhymes: RhymeZone rhyming dictionary.
About the Song (Background)
This song is by English composer Benjamin Britten, performed by the Choir of Downside School, Purley. I think this song is absolutely magical. It tells the story of a cuckoo bird, from April to August.
Activity
1. Listen to the music before looking at the words.
- What do you hear?
- What do you imagine?
- What did you think about?
2. Read the words without the music. Can you identify the rhymes? If you can print the lyrics, make the rhymes in one color.
3. Now read the words with the music. Now mark rhymes you hear in a different color. Did you hear more rhymes this time?
4. Make your own song! This song is about a bird, and the things the bird does each month from spring until summer. Choose a different subject. It could be an animal or a person.
- What sound does your subject make?
- What does your subject do each month?
5. Post your new song in the comments.
Cuckoo, by Benjamin Britten
Cuckoo, Lyrics
Cuckoo, cuckoo... (softly in background, repeated)
What do you do?
In April, i open my bill.
In May, i sing night and day.
In June, i change my tune.
In July, far, far i fly...
In August, away! I must...
Cuckoo, cuckoo... (softly in background, repeated)
What do you do?
In April, i open my bill.
In May, i sing night and day.
In June, i change my tune.
In July, far, far i fly...
In August, away! I must...
Cuckoo, cuckoo... (softly in background, repeated)
Note: a "bill" is the hard pointed mouth of a bird.
More About Benjamin Britten and "Cuckoo"
Benjamin Britten was an English composer. He wrote many songs for children, and amateur performers.
This song is featured on the soundtrack for Moonrise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson. It's one of my favorite movies.
What does a real cuckoo bird sound like?
What does a real cuckoo bird sound like?
You can hear the bird calling in the video below.
-Eric, NYC
-Eric, NYC
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-Eric, NYC