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Tuesday 18 February 2014

Money's too tight to mention

I used this to introduce the idea of money - we went on to look at living without money.

(Note: Reaganomics was a word coined to describe a type of economical strategies used during the Reagan years (US 1980's). At the end when they are ad libbing Nancy is a reference to Ronald Reagan's wife - you may want to stop before it gets to  this part!)





Money’s too tight to mention – Simply Red

They said “son looks like bad luck got a hold on you”
I been laid off from work my rent is due
So I went to the bank to see what they could do
My kids all need brand new shoes

Money’s too tight to mention
I can’t get an unemployment extension
Money’s too tight to mention

So called on my father, father
Almighty father, he said
He said brother I’d like to help but I’m unable to
I went to my brother to see what he could do

Money’s too tight to mention
Oh money money money money
Money’s too tight to mention
I can’t even qualify for my pension

They’re passing all kinds of bills
Oh lord down in the congress
We’re talking ’bout Reaganomics
From up there on capitol hill, we’ve tried it


Money’s too tight to mention.
Cutbacks!
Money’s too tight to mention
Oh money,  money, money, money
We’re talking ’bout money, money (repeat x 7)

And that old man who’s over the hill
Now what are we all to do
When money’s got a hold on you
We’re talking ’bout the dollar bill

Money’s too tight to mention
Oh money, money, money, money (Ad lib to end)

Worksheet here

Thursday 13 February 2014

If it hadn't been for love - Adele

With this song I used it to talk about conditionals, I asked the students to tell me how many second conditionals there were and then looked at the mixed conditional. "I wouldn't be wishing I was free
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love"


NB you need to tell students that woulda = would have!






If it hadn’t been for love - Adele
Never would have hitch hiked to Birmingham
If it hadn't been for love
Never woulda caught the train to Louisiana
If it hadn't been for love

Never woulda run through the blindin' rain
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love
Without one dollar to my name

Woulda been gone like a wayward wind
If it hadn't been for love
If it hadn't been for love
Never woulda seen the trouble that I'm in

Nobody knows it better than me
I wouldn't be wishing I was free
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love

Lord have mercy on my soul
At least I know he's lying still
Four cold walls without patrol
Four cold walls against my will

If it hadn't been for love
Never woulda took a mind to track him down
Never woulda gone to that side of town
If it hadn't been for love

Never woulda loaded up a forty four
Put myself behind a jail house door
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love

Four cold walls against my will
At least I know he's lying still
Lord have mercy on my soul
Four cold walls without patrol

Never woulda hitch hiked to Birmingham
If it hadn't been for love
Never woulda caught the train to Louisian'
If it hadn't been for love

Never woulda loaded up a forty four
Put myself behind a jail house door
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love
If it hadn't been, if it hadn't been for love


Worksheet here

I still haven't found what I'm looking for - U2

I used this one to introduce the idea of  'still' with the present perfect.




The worksheet is a mixed line exercise



I still haven’t found – U2

I have climbed the highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
These city walls
I have scaled these city walls
Only to be with you
I have run, I have crawled

(chorus)
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
It burned like fire
(I was) Burning desire
Felt the healing in her finger tips

I have spoken with the tongue of angels
I was cold as a stone
It was warm in the night
I have held the hand of a devil

(chorus)

Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But, yes, I'm still running
I believe in the Kingdom Come

You broke the bonds
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh, my shame, you know I believe it
And you loosed the chains

(chorus) x2

Worksheet here