But I Don't KNOW The Words To 'Roll Out The Barrel.'
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
January 13, 2013 7:14pm CST
This discussion came about after watching a Lottery segment on television about where some of the money goes..and there was a lady on who uses music to help trigger positive responses from dementia sufferers who feel lonely and confused as their memories aren't what they once were.
So, how is it it's nearly always 'Roll out the Barrel' and songs like it that are sang to the elderly? I don't know about you but I have no idea what the words are to that song. Was it sang when the Titanic went down? Apart from that..nothing. Even if I had dementia I'd be tempted to throw something at a person singing that to me, especially if a tambourine were waved in my face at the same time.
Presently, I am 46 years old and (no doubt) will end up in an Old Peoples' Home at some point BUT there's absolutely no way I shall sit there and sing 'Roll Out the Barrel.'
'Wonderwall' yes, but not that.
You see what I'm getting at? Subsequent generations are - more or less - told what they should be singing and the songs are ANCIENT. Probably way older than the residents themselves. So, why can't something relatively new be sang to them instead?
Such as, 'Hey Jude!'
Oh, God, that's even worse than 'Roll out the Barrel' (sorry Dawn)!
So, how is it it's nearly always 'Roll out the Barrel' and songs like it that are sang to the elderly? I don't know about you but I have no idea what the words are to that song. Was it sang when the Titanic went down? Apart from that..nothing. Even if I had dementia I'd be tempted to throw something at a person singing that to me, especially if a tambourine were waved in my face at the same time.
Presently, I am 46 years old and (no doubt) will end up in an Old Peoples' Home at some point BUT there's absolutely no way I shall sit there and sing 'Roll Out the Barrel.'
'Wonderwall' yes, but not that.
You see what I'm getting at? Subsequent generations are - more or less - told what they should be singing and the songs are ANCIENT. Probably way older than the residents themselves. So, why can't something relatively new be sang to them instead?
Such as, 'Hey Jude!'
Oh, God, that's even worse than 'Roll out the Barrel' (sorry Dawn)!2 people like this
8 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 13
Wasn't that a hit by Chas and Dave, Roll Out The Barrell? There's also any old iron and hang out the washing on the sigfried line or something of that ilk but I know what you mean. When I go into a nursing home, kicking and screaming because to do so would take away something I prize the most, independence. I want them to sing some numbers from Madonna, Eurythmics or Beautiful South. Because my music taste is virtually from the 80s. If they start singing any of the cr*p they knock out today I will running to kick that bucket LOL.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Jan 13
Hahaha! I couldn't agree more but in my case it would be leaning towards the rockier end of the spectrum. Whichever way you look at it though, ANYTHING from the 80s is better than something from..I dunno 1920 or thereabouts..even Depeche Mode and I HATED them!!!
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
14 Jan 13
Oh yes, i have heard of that song already, because my father used to play that song in his player.
I am familiar with a lot of old songs because of my father. And i won't deny that i also like them, though given a choice, i would prefer the modern ones which i would love playing over and over again as i dance to exercise the fats in my tummy!
So, have you heard of these danceable beat of songs that i have in my cellphone to play with an earphone, whenever i dance to exercise ; Can't Take My Eyes Off You, I love the Night Life, The Time and Shake your Groove Thing. 
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
15 Jan 13
'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' I've heard of that one. Nice choice!
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
15 Jan 13
Hereandthere, i think i am already too old to be a dancing queen. Well yes, i can , only in the confines of our bedroom, where i do my dance exercise, while i also watch TV at the same time.
Yes, Can't Take My Eyes Off You is a very nice song. I have with me the classic one and the danceable one. 
Yes, Can't Take My Eyes Off You is a very nice song. I have with me the classic one and the danceable one. 
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
14 Jan 13
what i like about the songs of our parent's generation is i can actually understand the lyrics and the beat is either slow or moderate so i can actually sing along to them. i've always been bad at lyrics, even with tv commercials!
hmm, i think i have another name for you, d - dancing queen!
i've always been bad at lyrics, even with tv commercials!
hmm, i think i have another name for you, d - dancing queen! 1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
15 Jan 13
Does anyone request 'Wonderwall?'
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
I used to volunteer at a club for old people and they loved to sing the old songs. Reading other peoples responses I see that they have given you the words in stages, so now you know the chorus. I wouldn't be surprised if this was originally a WW1 song.
If the old people are about 80 then the songs that they remember from the music loving years would have been sung around 1945 and that coincides with WW2 when many songs were written to lift the moral of the men away fighting a war and their loved ones behind who were worried about them. So maybe these songs bring back memories of those times and are tinged with nostalgia. People who lived through the war always say that the good thing about those days was how people all grew close to one another and helped on another.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
14 Jan 13
Care facilities need to adapt to changing times. I dread to think that songs from the '30's and '40's will be played for my generation. Should I ever end up in such a facility, I would hope at least for some Steppenwolf.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
15 Jan 13
Excellent choice..and I really hate all these cover versions that are coming out now of songs I've liked in the past. Some woman has brought out a terrible version of 'Don't Stop' by Fleetwood Mac. They really should take out an injunction or something but there again, they'll get paid every time it's played...it's currently on an advert on telly at the moment and I cringe every time I hear it! It's a slower version and just ain't the same!!!
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
14 Jan 13
You had me laughing hard with your post! But what you said is really true. Even here in our country,I would hear that song being played when old folks are gathered together. Maybe it just simply tells that there should be no hesitation to have fun when the people gather round together, and it speaks of how old these people really are.
But what you said is really true. Even here in our country,I would hear that song being played when old folks are gathered together. Maybe it just simply tells that there should be no hesitation to have fun when the people gather round together, and it speaks of how old these people really are.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
15 Jan 13
Surely there are other songs besides 'Roll out the barrel' they can all sing along to? It's like Blitz songs. I mean, when was that? The 40s when the War was on. Why should people who weren't even part of that singing songs associated with it?
Like I said, I prefer songs such as 'Wonderwall!'
