We Skip To My Lou Anyway Analysis

In the article “Why Do We “Skip to My Lou,” Anyway”, the author, Nancy L. Glen, educates the audience about things such as how to teach songs in music curriculum, descriptions about the lyrics, and the history behind the songs in America. According to Ms. Glen, many party songs sung by children today have transited throughout generations in America, and originated from immigrant settlers not only as entertainment but as ways to socially interact in rural areas (especially throughout the 19th and 20th centuries). The songs were easy to learn and remember for party goers and children, but became altered over the years as they were learned orally and mostly without any written record. The author listed “Skip to My Lou”, “Pig in the Parlor”, “Weevily Wheat” as three examples of these play party songs and some …show more content…
Ms. Glen gave several examples on how to successfully use play party songs within one’s classroom (and beyond) such as hosting an “informance” event which offers participants a chance to experience the songs and dance movements first hand to gain a better understanding of each. Also, she brings up the option of hosting an actual play party as an addition to “International Night” at the school, in which guests could not only experience the original play party songs but folk dances and songs from around the U.S. and the rest of the world. The author closes with an emphasis on the importance of using music in the classroom for students to learn things such as history on an interesting platform without getting lost in scripted teaching which vital for students and the preservation of traditional