1. Butterflies and ladybirds
In need of a safe haven
From the unkindness of ravens
The loveliness of ladybirds departs
From the unkindness of ravens
The loveliness of ladybirds departs
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Fascinations
Ladybirds are also known as lady beetles or ladybugs, and in many cultures are considered to bring good luck. They come in many different colours and patterns, but the most familiar in the UK is the seven-spot ladybird, which has a shiny, red and black body. Most people like ladybirds because they are pretty, graceful and harmless to humans. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests. In its year-long life, a single seven-spot ladybird can gobble more than 5000 aphids!
Did you know that the buddleia is also known as the butterfly bush?
Ladybirds are also known as lady beetles or ladybugs, and in many cultures are considered to bring good luck. They come in many different colours and patterns, but the most familiar in the UK is the seven-spot ladybird, which has a shiny, red and black body. Most people like ladybirds because they are pretty, graceful and harmless to humans. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests. In its year-long life, a single seven-spot ladybird can gobble more than 5000 aphids!
Did you know that the buddleia is also known as the butterfly bush?
Musicking
The harmonic structure in bars 2-10 comes from Pachelbel’s Canon, a beautiful piece composed in 1680. The soft and high notes in the piano part represent the delicacy of our gossamer-winged friends as they flutter and flit their way through life. The 6/8 meter (of two groups of three quavers) creates a lilting feel to propel singers through the song and the phrases are purposely lovely and long, to encourage you to breathe only at the rests in the melody. Set in G major, and using notes D-E-F#-G-A-B, this melody will entertain any aspiring recorder, flute or violin player.
The harmonic structure in bars 2-10 comes from Pachelbel’s Canon, a beautiful piece composed in 1680. The soft and high notes in the piano part represent the delicacy of our gossamer-winged friends as they flutter and flit their way through life. The 6/8 meter (of two groups of three quavers) creates a lilting feel to propel singers through the song and the phrases are purposely lovely and long, to encourage you to breathe only at the rests in the melody. Set in G major, and using notes D-E-F#-G-A-B, this melody will entertain any aspiring recorder, flute or violin player.
Learning moves
Use the Makaton signs (Resource 4) to animate the creatures in this song. Flutter your ‘butterflies’ around in time with the music bringing them to rest at the appropriate moment, keeping their wings (your fingers) beating gently until the ladybirds take over and scurry about. Use your hands to imitate a bee’s iconic sting and enjoy wiggling your index fingers to create your collective clew of worms. With your hands raised up high, wriggle your fingers and swoop down bat-like before adopting the cool demeanour of a fox.
Use the Makaton signs (Resource 4) to animate the creatures in this song. Flutter your ‘butterflies’ around in time with the music bringing them to rest at the appropriate moment, keeping their wings (your fingers) beating gently until the ladybirds take over and scurry about. Use your hands to imitate a bee’s iconic sting and enjoy wiggling your index fingers to create your collective clew of worms. With your hands raised up high, wriggle your fingers and swoop down bat-like before adopting the cool demeanour of a fox.
