Words & Music
Words & Music Celebrates 30 Years
The 2008-2009 school year marks the 30th anniversary of Words & Music
Since 1979, more than 65,000 students have participated in Words & Music from states including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and New York. In this cornerstone program, classroom teachers present lessons on the lyric writing process using a lesson guide developed by the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum. During the lessons, students write or co-write song lyrics. Following the classroom lessons, students visit the museum, where professional songwriters help students refine their lyrics and add melodies. With plans to expand the program to include an outreach program and distance-learning program, Words & Music allows students to express themselves through lyric writing and to interact with professional songwriters.
Some Student Lyrics From the 2007-2008 School Year:
Boot to the Saddle
6th Grader, Christ the King School
Now we're ready to go, she bows and whines a lot
I hear the gate open and the roar of the crowd
She picked up a gallop with some reign I allowed
Then she galloped so fast and she made me proud
Put my boot to the saddle, faster we go
The sweet rhythm of the hooves and I happily flow
Slide back on my leg as we excel with speed
She gallops on as we take the lead
Kids Don't Lie
4th Graders, Tulip Grove Elementary
I crept down the hall and found mom asleep
She said to try counting some sheep
I turned around and went back to my room
It was time that I faced my impending doom
I picked up my flashlight found the batteries dead
Maybe if I jump on top of the bunk bed
By that time I saw the morning light
No sleep at all and I look a fright
Kids don't lie about scary things
The sounds that they hear and the dreadful night dreams
Kids don't lie when they turn on the lights
Kids don't lie about monsters at night
Man I Want to Be
3rd Grader, Stanford Montessori and Design Center
I am just a child
But I listen and I grow
I want to be just like my dad
And learn everything he knows
I'm growing up and my dad's the man
That I want to be someday
I'm listening and I'm learning
Putting my childish things away
I know that my dad's the man that I want to be
Knowing that I make him proud is so important
So important to me
A Special Thank You
The Words & Music program wouldn't be possible without the generosity and talent of area songwriters. Thank you for your wonderful contributions.
Alan Powell
Belinda Smith
Billy Wise
Bob Howard
Bob Spanburgh
C.J. Watson
Candace Corrigan
Carl Cartee
Casey Kelly
Charley Stefl
Craig Monday
Dan Harell
David Lakey
Deborah Adams
Doug Gill
Erin Enderlin
Gary Culley
Gary Michael Smith
Jack Norton
Jamis Nihan
James Piekarski
Janet McLaughlin
Janne Henshaw
Jason Duke
Jeff Chase
Jeff Dayton
Jeff Pearson
Jeff Walter
Jerry Salley
Jerry Vandiver
Jim McCormick
Joel Atkins
Joel Goldstein
Joel Reese
Kathy Hussey
Keith Thompson
Kim Copeland
Kim McLean
Larry Wayne Clarke
Lee Young
Les Kerr
Lynn Langham
Marla Cannon-Goodman
Micki Fuhrman Milom
Nelda Sisk
Pamela Ward
Pat Luboff
Pete Luboff
Rich Adams
Richard Trest
Roxie Rogers
Sandy Ramos
Scott Sanford
Shane Adams
Simon McCain
Steve Nelson
Steven Farmer
Tammy Vice
Tim Buppert
Tommy Brehm
Tricia Walker
