🎓 Step Into a Victorian Classroom with I Don’t Want to Go to School Today!

I Don’t Want to Go to School Today! is a lively and educational primary school history song that transports children back to the strict and structured world of Victorian schools. With engaging lyrics and a chance to try authentic Victorian ‘Drill’ movements in the third verse, this catchy tune brings the past to life in a fun, memorable way.

Perfect for Victorian history topics, classroom singing, or assemblies, this song highlights the challenges and routines of school life in the 19th century – from the swish of the cane to the rigid discipline – helping children understand history through performance.

👉 Download I Don’t Want to Go to School Today! and make your Victorian lessons unforgettable.

🎶 What’s Included in Your Song Pack

• Vocal track – ideal for teaching and rehearsals

• Backing track – lively and atmospheric

• Printable sheet music – melody line, piano/keyboard, and lyrics

• Lyrics (PDF and PowerPoint) – ready for printing or projecting on screen

💡 Music Education Benefits

• Brings Victorian school life vividly into focus

• Encourages active learning with drill-style movements

• Develops performance confidence in singing and movement

• Supports cross-curricular links with history and drama

💛 Why Teachers Love This Song

Teachers love how this song combines historical accuracy with fun, giving children a chance to experience Victorian school life in an engaging and interactive way. Its lively style makes it a favourite for assemblies and performances.

🌟 A Must-Have for Your Victorians Topic

Add excitement and authenticity to your Victorian history curriculum with I Don’t Want to Go to School Today! – a fun, dramatic, and educational way to learn about the past.

👉 Add it to your basket today and step back into the classroom of Victorian Britain.

Looking for more history song inspiration? Explore our full History song collection for schools – a great resource to develop both historical knowledge and musical skills.

Included in your song pack:

1. audio file of backing track with instruments playing the melody in mp3 format
2. audio file of vocal track in mp3 format
3. song words in PDF format
4. sheet music in PDF format
5. PowerPoint of song words

Simply add this item to your basket and then proceed to checkout. You can use either a debit/credit card or a PayPal account on the payment platform.
All the files will appear in your account ready to download with one click as a compressed ‘zip’ file and you’ll have everything you need to get singing straight away!

Want to save money? Then the Victorians Song Collection is for you! We’ve put all the Victorian songs together in one collection for a cheaper price than buying them individually.

I Don’t Want to go to School Today!

Verse 1
I don’t want to go to school today – oh no!
It’s a place that all Victorian children dread,
Best behaviour, have to sit up straight – oh yes!
Concentrate or get a dunce’s cap on your head!
Can’t be like the rich children,
Taught at home in the warm.
In a classroom of fifty,
Well for us it’s the norm.

Verse 2
I don’t want to go to school today – oh no!
Sit in rows and made to chant some boring rhymes,
It’s the law since Eighteen Seventy – oh yes!
Do your best or write it out one hundred more times!
Lots and lots of handwriting,
Get some ink for a quill.
Learn the capital cities,
Then outside for some drill.

Verse 3
(spoken) Class fall in!

Marching on the spot, (actions)
Bending from the hips, (actions)
Stretch from side to side, (actions)
Attention!

Verse 4
I don’t want to go to school today – oh no!
Every day we have to go it’s such a strain,
Work in silence, made to write on slate – oh yes!
Don’t be late or feel the short sharp swipe of the cane!

© A M Dilkes 2022 primarysongs.co.uk

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