r
AlabamaGal
l. Come through
2. I
don't
Come through
I
dont
'na
know
'na
know
hur
how.
hur
how
-
-
ry,
how,
ty,
how.
Come tlnough
I
dont
'na
know
A l - a - b a m - a
Al - a-bam-a
3. I showedyou how, how, (3 times)
AlabamaGal.
4. Ain't I rock candy, (3 times)
AlabamaGal.
hur
how
a,
how,
SINGING
Enjoy this songwith dancemovementssimilarto a Virginia Reel. In setsof 6 to 8 couples,
during the first versepartnerssashaydown andback in the spacebetweenthe other coupleswho
are aboutal'rl's lengthapart. During the secondverseall coupleshook right elbowsfor an 8
count turn, then left elbowsfor another8 countturn. During the third versethe headcouple
turns awayfrom eachotherand walks outsidethe line from the head to the bottom of the line
followed by the othersin that line. During versefour, the headcouplestandsat the bottom of
the line makingan archfor the othercouplesto go through. The secondcouplebecomesthe head
coupleandthe songandroutinebeginagain.
Whenthe melody is securetry this vocal countermelodyon the tone syllablepitchesgiven.
2
l
I
4 D o ILa
AI - a
tro'll
{So
bam - a,
r-r
Do Do l S o S o
(threetimes) A l - a - b a m - a
I
Do
Gal!
tll
PLAYING
Usingthe tonesof the pentatonicscalein the key of G Major, G A B D E, setup the resonator
glockenspiels,to play thosetones. Usethe
bells or tonebars,i. e. xylophones,metallophones,
bells or tonebarsto play the melody of the songand/orthe simplecountermelodyabove.
For a harmonic accompaniment,play on the pitchesG andD asa block chordor as alternating
toneson the beatthroughoutthe song.
CREATING
Encouragethe studentsto utilize the two rhythm patternsfrom the songor any variations
to formulatean introduction,an interludeand an ostinatothroughoutthe songwith non pitched
instruments.The ostinatopatterncould also be playedby any instrumentswith one instrument
on the first phrase,two on the second,threeon the third and a clima,r of four on the fourth.
Explore the resultsof the dynamicvariationsasyou try different levelsof soundwith the
phrases.Try different soundinginstrumentsuntil the studentsare happywith the soundthat is
produced. Theseideascould be usedin conjunctionwith the ideasin the LISTENING paragraph
that go alongwith singingin variousdynamiclevels.
LISTEMNG
Help the studentsrecognizethe a b a c form of the musicalphrasesand find waysto
characterizethem with dynamicsasthey sing. For example, the a phrasescould be moderately
soft or moderatelyloud andthe 6 andc phraseseitherlouderor softer Or the songcould begin
softly and crescendoto the last phrase.Let the studentsdecidewhat enhancesthe songbest.
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION
Locatethe stateof Alabamaon the map. The nameof the stateis takenfrom an Indian nation
that oncelived in the area. Readmoreaboutthe statein the bookAlabamaFacts and Symbolsby
Emily McAuliffe (Hilltop Books,2000.)
AlabamaGal