by Ruth Kenward & Caroline Kimber 

7 to 10 yrs  -  KS2  -  unison  -  (2m 24s)

Download includes:  piano-vocal score, lyrics sheet, mp3 demo & backing tracks

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Theme  –  Nativity, Mary rides a donkey from Galilee to Bethlehem, Christmas

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Content  –  a very hooky donkey song that is always popular with this age group, because the lyrics tell the story so vividly, the melody is so catchy and the backing arrangement is so appealing.  This song also refers to the old legend of animals kneeling down in the stable to honour Jesus’ birth.  There's an easy and attractive key change half way through the song, with a simple one-note link to help singers move confidently into the new key.

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Lyrics sample

Donkey on a journey,

Got to carry Mary

From Galilee to Bethlehem.

Donkey on a journey,

Got to keep on going,

From Galilee to Bethlehem.

Plodding through the desert,

Feeling very thirsty

Underneath the midday sun.

Though he trips and stumbles,

Donkey never grumbles,

From Galilee to Bethlehem. 

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‘Donkey On A Journey’ is taken from the Nativity musical ‘A Way In A Manger’