40
Music and the Retarded
In the camping situation, music can be used as a group activity between other activities and at get-togethers for all the campers. Many of the more common camp songs tend to be wordy and must be simplified, slowed down, sung on a slightly lower pitch, and otherwise modified to suit the retarded campers. Few of the campers will learn all of the words to a song, but all campers should still try to perform the gestures to a song, even if they mumble through the words.
For younger groups, the songs should be kept in their simplest form by using only a chorus or possibly only one line of a song over and over. All retardates enjoy action songs and are great imitators of the song leaders. The success and popularity of a song will hinge on the song leader's enthusiasm. Remember that many retarded children find their only successes in music, and work it into the camping situation at every opportunity.
The songs that follow are listed as (1) action songs, (2) singing games, (3) mealtime songs, and (4) just songs. Those songs not footnoted are usually common melodies with words adapted to fit the camping situation. These are from the authors' experiences with day camps for retarded children.
Action Songs
⬤"Patsy-Ore-Ore-Ay" -- to the tune of "Skip to My Lou" (older)[1]
The campers may be able to sing the chorus and do the actions to this song.
Chorus: Patsy-Ore-Ore-Ay
Patsy-Ore-0re-Ay
Patsy-Ore-Ore-Ay
Workin' on the railroad.
(clap to rhythm, throw hands in the air on "Ay" or clap once on "Patsy", roll hands on "Ore-Ore" and throw hands in air on "Ay")
Eighteen-hundred-fifty-one
American railroad just begun
American railroad just begun
Workin' on the railroad.
Chorus.
- ↑ From: Sing! American Camping Association, Cooperative Recreation Service, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, p. 18.
