Autumn Songs
Song List 1. What A Wonderful World 2. Autumn in New York 3. September in the Rain 4. Autumn Leaves 5. Autumn of My life 6. Country Roads 7. Forever Autumn 8. September Song
1. What A Wonderful World
I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do They're really saying I love you.
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow They'll learn much more than I'll never know And I think to myself what a wonderful world Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.
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2. Autumn in New York
Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting? Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first nighting Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel They're making me feel, I'm home.
Its autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain Dreamers with empty hands, may sigh for exotic lands Its autumn in New York, it’s good to live it again.
Autumn in New York, the gleaming rooftops at sundown Autumn in New York, it lifts you up when you're run down Jaded rose and gay divorcees who lunch at the Ritz Will tell you that its divine.
This autumn in New York transforms the slums into Mayfair Autumn in New York, you'll need no castle in Spain Lovers that bless the dark on benches in Central Park Greet autumn in New York, it’s good to live it again.
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3. September in the Rain The leaves of brown came tumbling down, Remember, in September, in the rain, The sun went out just like a dying amber, That September in the rain.
To every word of love I heard you whisper, The raindrops seemed to play our sweet refrain, Though spring is here, to me it's still September, That September in the rain.
To every word of love I heard you whisper, The raindrops seemed to play our sweet refrain, Though spring is here, to me it is still September, That September in the rain, That September that brought the pain, That September in the rain.
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4. Autumn Leaves
The falling leaves, Drift by the window, The autumn leaves, Of red and gold.
I see your lips, The summer kisses, The sunburned hands, I used to hold.
Since you went away, The days grow long, And soon I'll hear, Old winter's song.
But I miss you most of all, My darling, When autumn leaves, Start to fall.
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5. Autumn of My life
In the spring of my life she came to me, She brought sunshine where winter winds had blown. Then I took her for my wife in the spring of my life, And she brought me a joy I'd never known.
And the years they went by in the spring of my life, And in summer she blessed me with a child. Love continued to grow in the summer of my life, And in every morning sun I saw her smile.
But in the autumn of my years I noticed the tears, And I knew that our life was in the past. Though I tried to pretend, I knew it was the end, For the autumn of my life had come at last.
Now what, what do you say to a child of ten? How do you tell him his daddy's goin' away? Do I tell him that I reached the autumn of my life, And that he'll understand some winter's day?
Now a rose can't be found on a snow-covered ground, And the sun cannot shine through cloudy skies. But I'm richer, you see, for the years she gave to me, And I'm content in the autumn of my life.
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6. Country Roads
Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue ridge mountain, Shenandoah river, Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze.
Country roads, take me home To the place I belong, West Virginia, Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads.
All my memories, gather round her Miner's lady, stranger to blue water Dark and dusty, painted on the sky Misty taste of moonshine, teardrops in my eye
Country roads, take me home To the place I belong, West Virginia, Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads.
I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me Radio reminds me of my home far away Driving down the road I get a feeling That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday.
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7. Forever Autumn
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old, And darker days are drawing near. The winter winds will be much colder, Now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky, And one by one they disappear. I wish that I was flying with them, Now you're not here.
Like a song through the trees you came to love me, Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away.
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way, You always loved this time of year. Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now, Cause you're not here.
Like a song through the trees you came to love me, Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away.
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8. September Song
For it's a long, long while from May to December, But the days grow short when you reach September, And the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, And I haven't got time for the waiting game.
And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, November, And these few precious days I'll spend with you, These precious days I'll spend with you.
And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, November, And these few precious days I'll spend with you, These precious days I'll spend with you.
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Song Word Instructions for Activity Co-ordinators
• Laminate the sheets if you plan on using them for several group sessions. • Familiarise yourself with the songs as you will need to lead the singing in order to encourage the group to join in. • Sitting in a circle enables everyone to feel included in the session. • When you hand out the sheets, make sure that there is one per person. • Can everyone see the words? If they are visually impaired, make sure they have a large print copy on yellow paper. • Ask your group which songs they know from the list. If there are people in the group who are unable to see the sheet, make sure that you read out clearly the choices of songs. • Make sure that everyone in the group has an opportunity to choose one song. • Does everyone in the group know which song number you are singing? If not, assist them if they need help turning the page. • The song sheets contain the most popular choruses of each song. Some members of the group will know the full song. Give them time to sing it if they would like to.
• IDEAS 1. Use www.youtube.com to help the group with the tunes. 2. Hand out instruments and encourage the group to clap along to the songs.
• PROMPT QUESTIONS 1. Which is your favourite song and why? 2. Can you remember which famous singers and groups performed each of the songs? E.g. September Song was performed by Ella Fizgerald. 3. A lot of the songs are about autumn leaves, change and heartache. What do you think it is about the autumn that makes people reflect upon their lives? 4. Are there any other autumn songs that are not on the list you would like to sing?
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Web Links
1. What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong https://youtu.be/gDrzKBF6gDU
2. Autumn in New York Billie Holiday https://youtu.be/NO2Ij1eO-GQ
3. September in the Rain Frank Sinatra https://youtu.be/757LjrGaYLI
4. The Autumn Leaves Nat King Cole https://youtu.be/Gnp58oepHUQ
5. Autumn of My Life Bobby Goldsboro https://youtu.be/Kt3wBWTO8wE
6. Country Roads John Denver https://youtu.be/oN86d0CdgHQ
7. Forever Autumn Moody Blues https://youtu.be/0K2b5S3bafM
8. September Song Ella Fitgerald https://youtu.be/LGKd6m4Pksg
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