Tapent, tapent, petites mains – Clap, Clap, Little Hands – A French Pat-a-cake Song with a YouTube Video

We were just noticing how Pat-a-cake songs seem to be universal. Perhaps they help teach children to use their hands… Tapent, tapent, petites mains Tourne, tourne, joli moulin, Nage, nage, gentil poisson Vole, vole papillon Clap, clap, little hands, Turn, turn, pretty mill, Swim, swim, nice fish, Fly, fly, butterfly! Feel free to share a Pat-a-cake song from your country in the comments [...]

We Now Have 100 Languages on Mama Lisa's World!

This week we added two languages to Mama Lisa's World of International Songs, bringing us up to a hundred languages on the site! We added a song from West Sumatra in Indonesia where they speak Minangkabau. We also added a Frisian Lullaby in the West Frisian language. The Frisian language is the [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Czech or Slovak Kids Song?

Lewis Grimm wrote: Hi. My grandmother used to sing a children's song to me in Czech or Slovak. I believe it is about a little hunter. It went along the lines of (phonetically): Ya simali nissli vechek… Any ideas? If anyone can help Lewis, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks! Lisa Share on Facebook and other [...]

Does Anyone Know a Song with the Line, “The Ship Sailed for the White Cliffs of Dover”?

Dan wrote, I went to school in Chilton (England) when I was six (1972), in California now, and my class sang this song, but that is the only line I can recall, I even recall the melody… “And when the journey was all over / The ship sailed for the / White Cliffs of Dover.” Anybody? Was it [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Korean Kids Song?

Curtis wrote asking about a Korean kids song… Have you ever heard of a Korean song that school girls sing as they clap hands that goes like this: Pong dong pong dong dolel (stone) donjiora (throw)… Thanks, Curtis If anyone can help with this song, please email me or comment below. Thanks! Mama Lisa Share on Facebook and other services:

Frere Jacques – Brother John with an MP3 Recording in French and English

Here's a nice recording of Frère Jacques in both French and English by Ezwa. Here are the lyrics of the French and English versions of Frère Jacques. The version on the mp3 recording mixes these lyrics… Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines. Sonnez les matines. Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong. Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Brother John, Brother John? Morning bells are ringing. Morning bells [...]

A Short Poem about the Life of a Child, based on a Persian Verse

This is a short, four lined poem that encompasses a child's life from birth till death. It seems sad, yet it's really a wish for a happy life full of people who care for the child… The Babe On parent knees, a naked new-born child, Weeping thou sat'st while all around thee smiled: So live, that, sinking to [...]

A German Bedbug Song called “Auf der Mauer, auf der Lauer”

RosaMaria asked me about a German song called Auf der Mauer, auf der Lauer on the Mama Lisa's World Facebook Group. I found the YouTube video below of the song. Below the video I posted the German lyrics, followed by an English translation I did… Auf der Mauer, auf der Lauer sitzt ‘ne kleine Wanze. Seht [...]

A Rain Rhyme that Involves Baking a Cake

Here's a rain rhyme from Northumberland that reminds us that rainy weather is a good opportunity to stay indoors and cook! Rain, rain, go away, And come again another day, When I brew and when I bake, I’ll give you a little cake. Stay dry! Mama Lisa PS You can tell it's raining where I am and that I'm considering baking something [...]

Dragon fly! – A Rhyme about a Dragonfly, Boys and Fish

  Dragon fly! Dragon fly! Dragon fly! dragon fly! fly about the brook, Sting all the bad boys who for the fish look; But let the good boys catch all they can, And then take them home to be fried [...]