The Dying Stockman

This song (and many versions of this song) were sung by cowboys and sailors in newly settled country.

It is great for:

• Preparing and practising 3/4 metre.
• Teaching the rhythmic element 'tie'.
• Teaching the melodic element 'ti'.

We can sometimes avoid songs that talk about death, however, when these songs were commonly sung, death was much more 'a part of life'. Medicine wasn't as advanced and many people had no access to doctors. Singing about death was an important way of coping with loss. In a way, music was therapy.