*from STONES HILL SONGS*
Here's a song as we go into lockdown here in South Africa, at midnight on March 26, an unprecedented, drastic measure to stem the overwhelming tide of the Covid-19 virus.
"Lockdown" has a ring of rough horseplay to it; so in the dance the children stand with feet fairly wide apart to brace for whatever is coming. A wide base gives us a sense of dynamic strength. Use fists to further convey this. There is also a point where we balance (a posture called 'cat stance'); certainly any shifting balance practice will build resilience, a highly desirable trait in unstable times.
The song makes use of the typical Covid greeting - using the elbow, or crossing the arms across the chest rather than shaking hands or hugging (as South Africans love to do). It reminds us of to wash our hands - apparently the simplest and most important preventative measure - and we practice sneezing into our crooked elbow to prevent spreading our germs.
As with all the songs on this site, it is plainly and clearly recorded for easy copy-learning. Add guitar, drums, shakers if you like, or just dance-and-sing it unaccompanied. To put singing AND dancing together involves many highly complex cortical functions, so do this activity with your children while you're cooped up at home in lockdown!
I dedicate this song to the children at St Mary's Development Centre in Grahamstown - the best and most enthusiastic singer-dancers I know - and to the younger lively group at Flossy's pre-school. We'll meet again on the other side of this tidal wave when it's washed through, and sing and dance together some more!
Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs-and -dances for children listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/11/walking-stopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/11/sand-sand-everywhere.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/spring-is-sprung_9.htm
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/old-macdonald_20.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-ant-house_18.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/old-king-glory.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/we-need-bees.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/10/my-animal-friends.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/08/plastic-bottle-eco-brick_22.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/hand-game_17.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/round-garden_48.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/05/tree-in-wood_16.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/09/building-up-house_16.html
