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Post by flossie on May 13, 2016 11:56:36 GMT
So last term dds class learnt the ugly duckling song, sad but at least had a happy ending.
This term the choice is Puff the Magic Dragon.... poor Puff is so happy to have a friend that he sees everyday who brings him things and plays with him, then one day the friend stops coming, Puff never sees him again and retreats to his cave feeling sad, for ever....
Probably quite difficult for any child but for one whose short life has been all about loss?? I don't think they've got to the last verse yet, can't wait for the inevitable 'big feelings' that may bring, groan...!
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Post by larsti on May 13, 2016 22:46:27 GMT
I remember Puff the Magic Dragon fondly  but I never noticed it had a sad ending. That was just from hearing it on the radio. I can hear it in my head now...lovely jolly tune. I suppose its different learnig it verse by verse. DD can hardly fail to notice the sad ending. Only thing I can think of is either asking teacher for a copy of the words (you might be surprised, maybe there are different versions) or maybe you could make up an alternative happy ending and tell your DD you think its a bit sad so you thought of a better ending for poor Puff I never noticed how much sadness and loss there is in childrens stories and films until we adopted  |
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Post by elderberry on May 14, 2016 10:34:17 GMT
This song is part of my campfire songs repertoire (anyone coming to adopters' camp? I was wondering whether to bring a guitar or will that just really annoy everybody?). I remember as a child thinking how sad it was (I was raised on Peter, Paul and Mary). At the same time, you can point to the fact that the little boy grows up, that he gains new interests. And the fact that the chorus repeats at the end of the song always made me think that it was about good memories even if things have changed. That's the best I can do :-) There's no escaping that it's sad.
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Post by corkwing on May 14, 2016 15:30:02 GMT
Definitely bring a guitar! I'd bring mine but with Kermit's attitude to camping (bring anything you MIGHT need) there's no room for it in the boot.
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Post by mudlark on May 14, 2016 21:46:58 GMT
Flossie, when Peewit aged 4 first heard Puff the magic dragon and watched a little animation of the song, he wept his first ever tears, it was an amazing moment because up until then he had never allowed himself to be seen to be feeling anything.
For about a week he kept wanting to hear the song and at the bit in the song where it says about little Jackie Paper no longer coming to see Puff, tears would roll down his cheeks and he would sob. It was very moving and I still think of it very fondly. Sometimes sadness is a healing emotion and children need to allow themselves to feel it.
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Post by jmk on May 15, 2016 8:26:49 GMT
I remember Puff the Magic Dragon from when I was a child and I don't think the words ever registered with me as being sad. Maybe it was too subtle for me, who knows, but I do remember Nobody's Child and I used to think it was really really sad and was always glad I'd been adopted unlike the little boy in the song.
Nobody's Child
As I was slowly passing
An orphan's home one day,
I stopped for just a little while
To watch the children play.
Alone a boy was standing
And when I asked him why,
He turned with eyes that could not see
And he began to cry.
I'm nobody's child,
I'm nobody's child.
Just like the flowers
I'm growing wild.
No mummy's kisses
And no daddy's smile.
Nobody wants me,
I'm nobody's child.
No mummy's arms to hold me
Or soothe me when I cry,
Sometimes I feel so lonesome
I wish that I could die.
I'll walk the streets of heaven
Where all blinds can see.
And just like for the other kids
It will be a home for me.
I'm nobody's child,
I'm nobody's child.
Just like the flowers
I'm growing wild.
No mummy's kisses
And no daddy's smile.
Nobody wants me,
I'm nobody's child.
Songwriters: FORD, LITA ROSSANA/EHMIG, MICHAEL DAN/BURTNICK, GLEN /
Nobody's Child lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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Post by twoplustwo on May 15, 2016 13:33:16 GMT
I hated Puff the magic dragon as a child. I used to insist on the radio being turned off when it came on. Such sad lyrics. The cheerful tune just made it seem so much more heartbreaking. I found the emotions I felt way too big to handle.
I think it resonated because we moved house and area often and I'd lost a lot of friends as a result. Id 'only' lost friends, the effect on a child who has lost everyone (as many adopted children have) is potentially devastating.
I still hate the song!
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Post by flossie on May 17, 2016 13:29:49 GMT
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
I think probably it's good to have a chance to express sadness but dd is still very much defaulted to angry, one day....
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Post by mudlark on May 17, 2016 13:48:08 GMT
Oh JMK...those lyrics made me cry.. made me think of my late grandmother who grew up in an orphanage alone and unloved.
I thank God my two little ones are loved and wanted ....I pray all children in care will one day feel loved and wanted...what a sad sad song.
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but I never noticed it had a sad ending. That was just from hearing it on the radio. I can hear it in my head now...lovely jolly tune.
