Write a Blues Song
Format:
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Story about sadness, trouble, hardship, or pain based on your own experiences
The experience can be something you felt deeply or it can be lightly troublesome
3 stanzas, each with 3 lines.
First two lines repeat, and the third line replies to the repeated lines.
Second stanza is contrasted to the 1st stanza
Third stanza uses an ironic twist in the third line
Lines may rhyme
How to start:
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Brainstorm 5 experiences and list them.
Circle one and write a reflection, explaining the story plus how you felt (10 minute write
= 100 to 300 words)
Review the reflection and circle or highlight 3 to 4 phrases that are meaningful to your
experience
Create blues song using the phrases as repeated (1st and 2nd) lines or reply (3rd)
lines of stanzas
Brainstorm here:
Example:
Brainstorm
1) Cat dying, 2) Parent's divorce, 3) Breaking up, 4) Losing student council elections, 5) Moving from Chicago
10 minute reflection then Highlight phrases that meaningfully tell the story:
Death of Sneaky, my cat
Got a phone call from work saying "He’s dying." I left work, fighting back tears. A sense of urgency spurring
me to shatter the speed limit home. Screaming and crying to myself in the car, I prayed he wouldn’t die
before I saw him. A sour lump weighed in my throat as I entered the house. Mom and Dad told me their
sadness with their eyes as I entered the room. On this sunny day bleeding through the blinds, he lay on my
bed shaking from Death’s cold touch.
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing what warmth I could. Turning to my parents who stood at the
door, I croaked, "Let’s take him to the vet and put him to rest."
I held him as they plowed traffic aside. Did his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath. It rattled
like chains and he shuddered and stiffened as my tears fell. I gathered his final exhale as they pulled up to
the vet. Hoarsed my soft goodbye, and let the vet take him away.
He’s gone from my life. I remember him fondly and with a familiar ache in my throat. Yet, he is part of me
now in spirit.
Construct the song using the highlighted phrases.
Find the opening lines first. Make replies relect your feelings.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
Got a phone call saying "He’s dying."
Oh Lord, I got a phone call, "He’s dying."
Lord don't carry him home before I see him again.
2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
Oh, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold touch.
Yes Lord, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold touch.
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing what warmth I could.
3rd Stanza
Lord did his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath?
Lines 1 & 2
Please let his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath.
Line 3 (reply) I'll gathered his final exhale so he's part of my spirit til death.
Ironic Twist
(Revised copy on back)
Revise Blues Song
Review your piece and make changes that enhance the emotion, story, and the structure of
the blues song. The red are my changes. Compare with the draft above.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
Got a phone call saying "He’s dying and in pain."
Oh Lord, I got a phone call, "He’s dying and in pain."
Lord don't carry him home before I see him again.
2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
Oh, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold hand.
Yes Lord, he lay in bed shaking from Death’s cold hand.
I scooped him to my beating heart, sharing what warmth I had.
3rd Stanza
Lord did his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath?
Lines 1 & 2
Please let his eyes lock with mine as he wheezed his last breath.
Line 3 (reply) I'll gathered his final exhale so he's part of my spirit til death.
Ironic Twist
Construct the song using the highlighted phrases.
Find the opening lines first. Make replies relect your feelings.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
3rd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply) Ironic Twist
For the final revision copy use on the back
Revise Blues Song
Review your piece and make changes that enhance the emotion, story, and the structure of
the blues song. The red are my changes. Compare with the draft above.
1st Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
2nd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply)
3rd Stanza
Lines 1 & 2
Line 3 (reply) Ironic Twist