1. TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croce
MINIMUM LEVEL: 2º NIVEL BÁSICO
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITES
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENT
A- DO THE JIGSAW READING.
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS IN THE ANSWER KEY.
B- LISTEN TO THE SONG ONCE. COVER THE LYRICS AND THE TEXT.
1. How would you describe it?
cheerful - sad - melancholic - nostalgic - lively - boring - amusing
2. The following words have been taken from the song. Do you know what they
mean?
memory dreams wishes (X2) treasure eternity forever
save
3. What do you think the song’s about?
C - LISTEN TO THE SONG AGAIN. USE THE WORDS IN EXERCISE
A. 2 TO COMPLETE THE LYRICS.
WERE YOU RIGHT?

2. Jigsaw reading
Read the following extracts from a biography of Jim Croce, a songwriter.
1. Write the following headings in the big boxes.
EARLY LIFE EARLY CAREER
SUCCESS
SUDDEN DEATH General
2. Order the extracts to form a text. Write the number in the small boxes.
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-
songwriter Maury Muehleisen. In time, their musical strengths
led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s
down-to-earth music. Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He
graduated from Upper Darby High School
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC
Records releasing “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” and in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1960.
“Life & Times” in the same year. The singles “You Don’t Mess Then, while attending Villanova University
Around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” (1965 graduate), Croce became
and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. interested in becoming a professional
Croce) helped the former album reach no.1 in 1974. musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. In time they began
writing their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album
with Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing in small clubs and
concerts promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce”.
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the
rent, and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs
about his friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small
American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third
number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973.
ABC album, “I Got a Name”.
Sadly, Croce died in a small commercial plane crash
one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was
released.

3. TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croce
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to _______every day
Till _________ passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last _________
If words could make __________ come true
I’d save every day like a ____________ and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for __________
And _________ that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the ___________
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

4. ANSWER KEY
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

5. KEY
Read the following extracts from a biography of Jim Croce, a songwriter.
3. Write the following headings in the big boxes.
EARLY LIFE EARLY CAREER
SUCCESS
SUDDEN DEATH General
4. Order the extracts to form a text. Write the number in the small boxes.
4 SUCCESS
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-
songwriter Maury Muehleisen. In time, their musical strengths 2 EARLY LIFE
led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s
down-to-earth music. Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He
graduated from Upper Darby High School
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC
Records releasing “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” and in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1960.
“Life & Times” in the same year. The singles “You Don’t Mess Then, while attending Villanova University
Around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” (1965 graduate), Croce became
and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. interested in becoming a professional
Croce) helped the former album reach no.1 in 1974. musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
3 EARLY CAREER
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. In time they began
writing their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album
with Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing in small clubs and
concerts promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce”.
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the
rent, and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs
about his friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
5 1 GENERAL FACTS
SUDDEN DEATH
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small
American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third
number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973.
ABC album, “I Got a Name”.
Sadly, Croce died in a small commercial plane crash
one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was
released.

6. 1- General facts
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973. Sadly,
Croce died in a small commercial plane crash one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was released.
2- Early life
Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill,
Pennsylvania in 1960. Then, while attending Villanova University (1965 graduate), Croce became interested
in becoming a professional musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
3- Early career
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s.In time they began writing
their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album with
Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing small clubs and concerts
promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce.”
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the rent,
and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs about his
friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
4- Success
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-songwriter Maury Muehleisen from Trenton,
New Jersey. In time, their musical strengths led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar leads became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s down-to-earth music.
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC Records releasi ng “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”
and “Life % Times” in the same year. The singles “You don’t Mess around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not
The Way It Feels)” and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. Croce) helped the former album
reach no.1 on the charts in 1974.
5- Sudden death
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third ABC album, “I Got a Name.”

7. TIME IN A BOTTLE
LEVEL : 2º NIVEL BÁSICO AND ABOVE
CLASS ACTIVITIES. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
TEACHER
(Students should know conditional II)
1. READING
Before the students begin reading, it is important that they understand that,
although the text is difficult, the task isn’t. Tell the students that the text is not adapted,
and has been taken from a webpage. The aim of this reading exercise is to make them
grow aware of their possibilities and realise that they can begin to use the Internet as a
learning and free time tool.
Let the students compare answers before you check. While you are checking, ask
which key words or phrases in each extract have led them to the answer.
2. LISTENING
PRE-LISTENING
Play the song. Ask the class the following questions. Encourage a class discussion.
1. How would you describe it?
cheerful - sad - melancholic - nostalgic - lively - boring - amusing
2. The following words have been taken from the song. Do you know what they mean?
memory dreams wishes (X2) treasure eternity forever
save
3. What do you think the song’s about?
WHILE-LISTENING
Give out photocopies of the gapped version of the lyrics.
Students have to fill in the gaps with the words from pre-listening exercise 2. Play the
song once and when they finish they can compare answers with their partner.
Play again and check.
Check they understand the general meaning of the song.
POST-LISTENING (optional oral activities)
Divide the students in groups.

8. Activity 1: group discussion
Tell the students they have to imagine they are a group of scientists collecting things
from their lifetime and putting them in a time capsule, so that when future generations
find the capsule they can learn something about out time.
The things they put into the time capsule will be things that represent life and the times
of our period. They can be things like toys, games, new technology, means of
transport, poetry, music, heroes, advertising (advanced), fashion (advanced), accounts
of crisis (advanced).
Set a time limit.
Groups meet together for a ‘show and tell’ session.
(For more advanced students): they can include a letter describing life today to the
person who, in future generations, opens the time capsule.
Activity 2
Part 1: individual, written
Each students draws a vertical line that represents their life. They have to mark this line
with their own personal landmarks, i.e., those moments in their lives they would like to
‘save in a bottle.’ Students write BRIEF notes.
Part 2: groupwork, oral
Students tell the rest of the group.
.

9. Jigsaw reading
Read the following extracts from a biography of Jim Croce, a songwriter.
5. Write the following headings in the big boxes.
EARLY LIFE EARLY CAREER
SUCCESS
SUDDEN DEATH General
6. Order the extracts to form a text. Write the number in the small boxes.
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-
songwriter Maury Muehleisen. In time, their musical strengths
led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s
down-to-earth music. Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He
graduated from Upper Darby High School
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC
Records releasing “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” and in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1960.
“Life & Times” in the same year. The singles “You Don’t Mess Then, while attending Villanova University
Around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” (1965 graduate), Croce became
and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. interested in becoming a professional
Croce) helped the former album reach no.1 in 1974. musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. In time they began
writing their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album
with Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing in small clubs and
concerts promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce”.
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the
rent, and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs
about his friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small
American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third
number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973.
ABC album, “I Got a Name”.
Sadly, Croce died in a small commercial plane crash
one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was
released.

10. TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croche
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to _______every day
Till _________ passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last _________
If words could make __________ come true
I’d save every day like a ____________ and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for __________
And _________ that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the ___________
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

11. ANSWER KEY
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day
Till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

12. KEY
Read the following extracts from a biography of Jim Croce, a songwriter.
7. Write the following headings in the big boxes.
EARLY LIFE EARLY CAREER
SUCCESS
SUDDEN DEATH General
8. Order the extracts to form a text. Write the number in the small boxes.
4 SUCCESS
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-
songwriter Maury Muehleisen. In time, their musical strengths 2 EARLY LIFE
led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s
down-to-earth music. Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He
graduated from Upper Darby High School
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC
Records releasing “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” and in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1960.
“Life & Times” in the same year. The singles “You Don’t Mess Then, while attending Villanova University
Around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not The Way It Feels)” (1965 graduate), Croce became
and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. interested in becoming a professional
Croce) helped the former album reach no.1 in 1974. musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
3 EARLY CAREER
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. In time they began
writing their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album
with Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing in small clubs and
concerts promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce”.
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the
rent, and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs
about his friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
5 1 GENERAL FACTS
SUDDEN DEATH
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small
American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third
number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973.
ABC album, “I Got a Name”.
Sadly, Croce died in a small commercial plane crash
one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was
released.

13. 1- General facts
Jim Croce (Jan 10, 1943 - Sept 20, 1973) was an American singer-songwriter from South Philadelphia
whose biggest single “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” hit number 1 on the US charts in the summer of 1973. Sadly,
Croce died in a small commercial plane crash one day before his third album, “I Got a Name” was released.
2- Early life
Croce was born in South Philadelphia. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill,
Pennsylvania in 1960. Then, while attending Villanova University (1965 graduate), Croce became interested
in becoming a professional musician and met his future wife, Ingrid.
3- Early career
During the early 1960s, Croce formed a number of college bands and performed at coffee houses and
universities, and later with his wife Ingrid as a duo in the mid-1960s to early 1970s.In time they began writing
their own music.
In 1968, Jim and Ingrid Croce were encouraged to move to New York City to record their first album with
Capitol Records. For the next two years, they drove over 300,000 miles playing small clubs and concerts
promoting their album “Jim & Ingrid Croce.”
Then, disillusioned by the music business and New York City, Croce sold all but one guitar to pay the rent,
and they returned to the Pennsylvania countryside where Croce got a job driving trucks and doing
construction to pay the bills. He spent a lot of his time sitting in the cab of a truck, composing songs about his
friends and the folks he enjoyed meeting at the local bars and truck stops.
4- Success
In 1970, Croce met classically trained pianist/guitarist, singer-songwriter Maury Muehleisen from Trenton,
New Jersey. In time, their musical strengths led them each to new heights. Muehleisen’s ethereal and
inspired guitar leads became the perfect accompaniment to Croce’s down-to-earth music.
In 1972, Croce signed to a three record deal with ABC Records releasing “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”
and “Life % Times” in the same year. The singles “You don’t Mess around with Jim”, “Operator (That’s Not
The Way It Feels)” and “Time In A Bottle” (written for his newborn son, A. J. Croce) helped the former album
reach no.1 on the charts in 1974.
5- Sudden death
Croce, 30, and Muehleisen, 24, died in a small commercial plane crash on September 20, 1973 in
Natchitoches, Louisiana one day before releasing his third ABC album, “I Got a Name.”