Songs From Warm Hands
Special Guest
William Ritter
Songs From Warm Hands| Part 2 with William Ritter | Scotland In Our Backyard What can music teach us about who we are and where we come from? In this heartfelt episode, North Carolina folk musician William Ritter explores the deep meaning behind old songs — how they connect us to our ancestors, shape our identity, and carry stories through generations. Plus, we get to learn a traditional NC song passed down “from warm hands” to ours.
NC Old time music with William Ritter
What We're Learning Today
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The role of “warm hands” in music learning: Discover why learning a song face-to-face—from someone who cares—creates a living connection to the past.
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Music as identity: Explore how tunes and stories carry who we are, where we come from, and what we value.
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Songs as storytellers: Understand what traditional ballads and reels reveal about the emotions, beliefs, and daily lives of the people who first sang them.
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Your link in the chain: See how each of us can be the next keeper of these melodies, passing them on to future generations.
In The Classroom
Discussion Questions for the Classroom
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What makes “warm hands” different from learning a song from a video or recording?
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How do songs help us remember the people and places in our past?
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In what ways can a melody carry lessons or beliefs across time?
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How would you feel if you were the only one in your family who knew a certain song?
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What responsibilities come with being a link in the chain of tradition?
Curriculum Connection
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Social Studies (K–5): Oral traditions and cultural heritage; migration stories; family histories.
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English/Language Arts: Narrative structure in song lyrics; vocabulary building through historical terms; persuasive writing in the “song swap” reflections.
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Music: Listening for mood and meaning; teaching/learning by ear; comparing traditional vs. modern teaching methods.
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Art: Creative mapping of family trees; visual storytelling with musical themes; personalized illustrations.
Extension Ideas
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Intergenerational Interview: Invite a grandparent or elder to share a song or story. Record (audio or video) and archive it in your classroom’s digital library.
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Community Chorus Project: Organize a school or neighborhood sing-along of the song William taught—celebrate each singer’s personal connection before you perform.
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Digital Warm-Hands Workshop: Host a live video session where students teach each other songs in real time, reflecting on how this echoes traditional face-to-face learning.
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Heritage Playlist: Create a collaborative playlist of family and cultural songs. Have students annotate each track with a brief history or memory.
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Legacy Journal: Encourage students to write a letter to their future selves describing the songs they’re passing on—what they mean today and why they should be remembered.
More From This Series:
Scotland In Our Backyard is a video series celebrating Scottish heritage in North Carolina — created by the Scottish Cultural Outreach Foundation with support from NC Humanities.
Explore the full series on YouTube
This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, www.nchumanities.org.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this video do not necessarily represent those of North Carolina Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
