Throughout the world songs have been used to provide brisk or relaxing rhythms for work, and to make difficult tasks seem easier.
Rural and sea-going communities traditionally used songs to give structure and variety to tiring and repetitive physical work. They might be sung by individuals working alone or by groups engaged in the same task. Sometimes a single voice (a soloist) would lead a song, answered by the other workers in chorus.
In some cases, the words of work songs serve as a means of passing on knowledge of tasks and how to tackle them. In others the words are nonsense, or their meaning has become lost with the passing of time, but the rhythm sets a communal pace and provides group energy.
Though stress and boredom are still features of many jobs, most of urban, Western society has lost the beneficial effects of song at work. Recorded music may often be played in the workplace, but listening does not promote the healthy breathing and release of physical tension encouraged by singing.
