Easy Songwriting: “Rattlin’ Bog”
Songwriting can be a great way to foster joy and self expression. Here’s an easy songwriting experience using a traditional Irish song. (Click here for a video explanation.)
“The Rattlin’ Bog” is a traditional Irish folk tune that has over 120 different recorded versions. Since it has been passed down through time by oral tradition, it’s nearly impossible to find the original version of the tune.
This song is a cumulative song, similar to the structure of the holiday tune, 12 Days of Christmas. Each new verse adds a new object or animal to the list of what’s down in the valley. During a performance, the speed increases each time something is added to the song, and it becomes a challenge to find out who can sing the lyrics the fastest without getting the words wrong.
By the way, in the context of the song, “rattlin’’” is an adjective meaning splendid. There’s a new word to add to your vocabulary!
Try it out:
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
In that bog there was a hole
A rare hole and a rattlin hole
And a hole in the bog
And the bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
In that hole there was a tree
A rare tree and a rattlin’ tree
A tree in the hole
And the hole in a bog
And the bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
In that _______ there was a _______
A rare _______ and a rattlin’ _______
The _______ on the tree
And the tree in the hole
And the hole in the bog
And the bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
In that________ there was a _______
A rare________ and a rattlin’ _______
The ________ on the (Word chosen for first verse)
And the (Word chosen for first verse) on the tree
And the tree in the hole
And the hole in the bog
And the bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Ho, ro, the rattlin’ bog
The bog down in the valley o
Keep it going!
Need a backing track for your new masterpiece? Use the video below:
