The Truth About the Tudors

The truth about the Tudors Teaching and performance notes 1. Listen to and discuss ‘The truth about the Tudors’ Listen to ‘The truth about the Tudors’, then ask the children to describe the general feel of the song (eg fast, slow, smooth, bouncy, soft, spiky). Ask what gives the song its mood. (The words, the tempo, the instruments, the melody and rhythm and how they all combine.) Listen again and ask the children to clap or beat along with the main ‘1, 2 ,1, 2’ rhythm. (Marching or skipping works well, if space allows!) 2. Read and discuss the lyrics Read the lyrics together. Discuss which aspects of Tudor history are described in each verse. (You could follow this with a fun quiz, with Tudor Roses awarded for each historical fact recalled.) 3. Learn the chorus All together, say the words slowly and in rhythm several times. Encourage the children to enjoy the rhythm of the words and articulate clearly. Gradually build up speed. Listen to the vocal melody of the chorus (track 2). Practise singing along with the track. 4. Learn the verses Learn each verse thoroughly before moving on to the next. Listen to the verse you are about to learn (tracks 4 to 6). Read the words aloud together - slowly, clearly and in rhythm, as with the chorus. Emphasise the importance of clear articulation, especially when imparting tricky bits of information to an audience! (To help the children remember the lyrics, encourage them to visualise what they are describing.) Notice there is a spoken section at the end of each verse. Divide the class into 2 groups for the section about Henry VIII’s wives, eg Group 1: Group 2: Catherine of Aragon - Divorced! Anne Boleyn - Beheaded Jane Seymour - Died! etc … The truth about the Tudors Sing along with each track several times until the class is confident. Encourage the children to perform the various sound effects (eg Ouch! Yuck! Uurgh! Ooh Henry!) with vigour. 5. Practise singing the whole song Sing along with the guide vocal track (track 1) until everyone is confident. Practise singing with the backing track (track 10). 6. Add untuned percussion Using the downloadable/photocopiable parts and the untuned percussion track (track 10 ) teach the untuned percussion part. There are two main rhythms used in the song, one during the choruses and one during the verses and chanted sections. This means that you could split the part up for two players. Listen to the rhythm (track 9) and then practise beating or clapping each rhythm as a group. Practise playing the percussion parts along with the backing track (track 10). 7. Add tuned percussion There is one tuned percussion part (for chime bars). It begins at the beginning of the first chorus and plays at every chorus and chant section. Use the practise track (track 10) and the downloadble/photocopiable tuned percussion part to learn the part and then practise playing it along with the backing track (track 11). Note that on track 10 there are four beats given between each section of the part. 9. Add the second voice part The second voice part comes in at the final chorus. Use track 8 to learn the part and then practise it with the guide vocal track (track 1). When this is secure, practice it with the backing track (track 11). 7. Prepare to perform Decide on a plan for the performance, recording as much detail as possible, i.e. The truth about the Tudors Introduction CD backing track Chorus 1 Drum and chime bars Verse 1 Verse drum pattern (if the part has been divided up for two players) Chant Details of how the chant section will be divided section 1 Chime bars Chorus 2 Chorus drum pattern (if the part has been divided up for two players) Verse 2 Verse drum pattern (if the part has been divided up for two players) Chant Details of how the chant section will be divided section 2 Chime bars Chorus 3 Chorus drum pattern (if the part has been divided up for two players) Verse 3 Details of how the chant section will be divided Chime bars Chant Details of how the chant section will be divided section 3 Chime bars Chorus 4 Details of who is singing the first part and who the second With your class, discuss non-musical factors that help make a good performance (eg enthusiasm, confidence, energy, clear articulation). As a group, think about: - when and where you will be performing the song - dress code / costume Decide how you will stage your performance (eg everyone standing in formal rows,or in group tableau) and rehearse in the performance space if possible. 8. Performance Hold a dress rehearsal or final run-through, then discuss last minute improvements in a positive way! Perform ‘The Truth About The Tudors’ to a live audience. The truth about the Tudors Alternative Lyrics Verses co-written by 5AD, Rhodes Avenue Primary School chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five, Out went the House of York; the Tudors had arrived. They fought the Battle of Bosworth with courage and with pride, Out went the House of York; the Tudors had arrived. vs 1 Henry the Seventh was first in the Tudor line, He took the crown from Richard the Third with a swish of his sword so fine. The monarchy was strapped for cash when Henry reached the throne, With good financial strategy, he brought the bacon home. When he wrote his will he made it very clear, That monks should sing his praises year after year, after year, after year. chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five vs 2 Henry the Eighth was six feet tall, and almost just as wide, He fathered lots of children, but only three survived. Hunting, sport and music were pastimes he enjoyed, But if you disagreed with him, he really got annoyed! He had six wives – Catherine of Aragon – divorced Anne Boleyn – beheaded Jane Seymour – died Ann of Cleves – divorced Katherine Howard – beheaded Catherine Parr – survived! chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five vs 3 Before Anne Boleyn was beheaded one healthy child she bore, Elizabeth the Virgin Queen was really good at war. She beat the Spanish Armada with power on her mind, And good old Walter Raleigh at the helm of the Golden Hind. She ruled for over forty years, was never seen to blush, She had a clever relative who invented the toilet flush! chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five The truth about the Tudors Alternative Lyrics Verses co- written by Sapphire Class, Year 4, Muswell Hill Primary School chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five, Out went the House of York; the Tudors had arrived. They fought the Battle of Bosworth with courage and with pride, Out went the House of York; the Tudors had arrived. vs 1 Do you know about Henry the Eighth? Luckily we do, We’d like to tell you about him and his six wives too. When he found he couldn’t divorce he thought the problem through Then he got rid of the Catholic Church and took all its money too. Ooh Henry! Catherine of Aragon, divorced; Anne Boleyn, beheaded; Jane Seymour, died; Ann of Cleves, divorced; Katherine Howard, beheaded;Catherine Parr, survived. chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five vs 2 Don’t complain about your school, ‘cos Tudor ones were worse Kids were whipped with canes and sticks, the blisters must have hurt! Ouch! After Tudor tutoring when lessons all were done They found some time for fun and games in the sizzling Tudor sun They played cards, cricket, hopscotch, chess,tennis, marbles, Hoop and stick, cup and ball, football with a pig’s bladder! Yuck! chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five vs 3 They used to wear enormous ruffs, much wider than their heads They must have been quite glad to take them off to go to bed They smeared on their make-up to make themselves look young Instead of brushes or powder-puffs, they used a cow’s tongue! Urgh! Elizabeth the First was never seen to blush, She had a clever relative who invented the toilet flush! chorus On the twenty second of August, fourteen eighty five.

Load more