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Viking settlements song©
Have you ever thought about where places like Scunthorpe or Grimsby got their names from? This song, from the Jorvik Viking Centre pack of the School Trip Singalong, is all about the place names given to us by the Vikings.
Words and Music by Sharon Durant
Song Lyrics View: Normal
(Unison version)
Which places have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
Which places, have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
When Vikings settled here around eight hundred A.D.,
They took over the towns when they arrived from the sea.
Many first settlement names ended ‘B’ ‘Y’,
Like Grimsby or Selby; see what you can spy.
Which places have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
Which places, have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
Vikings changed other names to ‘-thorpe’ at the end:
Scunthorpe and Easthorpe are some you mind find.
‘-holme’ was for land reclaimed from marshy waste
‘-kirk’ for a church and ‘-ness’ a coastal place.
Which places have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
Which places, have you seen?
Their names, what do they mean?
(Version in parts)
(Part A:)
Which places have you seen?
Their names what do they mean?
(Part B:)
Some place names that we’re finding
Descended from the Vikings.
(Part C:)
[Vocal percussion]
(Part D:)
When Vikings settled here around eight hundred A.D.,
They took over the towns when they arrived from the sea.
Many first settlement names ended ‘B’ ‘Y’,
Like Grimsby or Selby; see what you can spy.
Vikings changed other names to ‘-thorpe’ at the end:
Scunthorpe and Easthorpe are some you mind find.
‘-holme’ was for land reclaimed from marshy waste
‘-kirk’ for a church and ‘-ness’ a coastal place.
Song Information
Have you ever thought about where places like Scunthorpe or Grimsby got their names from? This song, from the Jorvik Viking Centre pack of the School Trip Singalong, is all about the place names given to us by the Vikings.
Copyright/Public domain (PD) Copyright songs (c)
Vocal range Small (up to a 5th)
Musical format Unison
Lyrics/Song Sheets
Teaching Song Guides
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Song Writer Biography
Sharon Durant
Sharon Durant is the Workforce Development Resource Manager for Sing Up at The Sage Gateshead. This involves training and supporting teachers and other musicians who participate in singing with primary aged children, as well as collecting and commissioning resources. Sharon is also working with several North East secondary schools on singing in their curriculum and works freelance as the director of two community choirs.
Sharon also performs as part of Mouthful, a four piece vocal ensemble which pushes the boundaries of vocal possibility, as well as writing and arranging songs for choirs (her song Chinese Proverb has been recorded by Grammy award-winning female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock).
Audio and copyright information
Audio information
The audio tracks were recorded specially for the Sing Up programme, mixed and mastered by Chris Durant
Copyright information
All copyright music in the Sing Up programme is used by permission. The songwriters and/or copyright holders have been remunerated under due licensing arrangements. Find out more about copyright by visiting the UK Music and Sound Rights websites.
What else can I do?
© Crown Copyright 2012
Mrs Davies Report this comment
Posted 25th Sep 2011 11:00
we have started the vikings with year 4 and we have Thor the Viking coming into school for different actvities. Music and instruments being one of them so when we saw this song we were delighted. The children have learnt the lyrics and we will be performing before our peers. I am not a musical expert but just have a love for the subject , at times I am not sure what I am doing BUT Sing Up really does empower me! thank you.