Merton's song to celebrate the Olympics!

'Hand in Hand'

Merton Music Foundation ran a songwriting competition in the Spring Term of 2012, sponsored by the London Borough of Merton, linked to MMF's ArtsBeat Festival. Schools were asked to focus on the theme 'to encourage and inspire', using a set of songwriting plans written to support delivery of a half term a unit of work on songwriting for Key Stage 2 pupils. Fifty-eight entries were received from eleven schools.

Jessica Dawkins wrote the lyrics and melody for verse one and the chorus. Beeta Davoudi and Mia Albel Stevenson wrote the lyrics for the second verse and both rap sections.

Teacher and musician Phil Merriman, along with Merton Music Foundation's Deputy Director Soo Bishop, worked with the girls to develop their original ideas. Phil and Soo added the music with Soo singing lead and backing vocals, and Phil playing everything else. The track was then recorded at Crown Lane Studio by Bill Sherrington with John Merriman producing the final mix.

This short video was recorded at Crown Lane Studio on 3 July 2012 in just three hours!

Thank you to everyone!

Lyrics - Hand in Hand

Written as a collaboration between Mia and Beeta from The Priory, Jessica from SS Peter and Paul, Soo Bishop and Phil Merriman from Merton Music Foundation.

Verse 1

The power we have, we are ready to show it.
Don’t need to be sad, we can be friends you know it.
Bold and brave, strength in body and mind.
Be determined, leave your worries behind.

Verse 2

Step up to the track, I know that we can do it.
This is our moment and we know we can prove it.
This is the time and people this is the place,
Draw on your courage and get set for the race.

Chorus

Hand in hand, as one band,
Here we stand, hand in hand.

Rap

The sky is the limit but really really is it?
We are the shooting stars flying to Mars
We’re the champions now this is a fact,
This is your moment now step up to the track (track, track...)

Chorus 2 (with echo ‘track, track, track…’ until ‘Here we stand’)

Bridge

Bold and brave, strength in body and mind.
Be determined, leave your worries behind.
This is the time and people this is the place,
Draw on your courage and get set for the race.

Chorus 3 – Hand in hand etc....

Rap 2

I can hear the clock, tick tock, tick tock.
I can feel the beat, from my head to my feet.
I can taste the tension in the air,
Smell the excitement - we’re nearly there.

Literally, this is all I’ve got,

Cross the finish line with a heartbeat STOP!.....

Chorus 4

Chorus 5 / Rap 2

For further information contact:

London Borough of Merton
Leisure and Culture Development
13th floor Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX

Email: leisure@merton.gov.uk

Date: 9 July 2012