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Mama Lisa's Blog

Here are some of Mama Lisa's recent posts about the music, culture and traditions of the world.

• Miss Ellen Pour Me Tea – A French Poem with an MP3 Recording

  

  Here’s the French poem Le Thé (Tea) by Théodore de Banville with an mp3 recording.  After the poem you’ll find an English translation. MP3 of Le Thé Le Thé Miss Ellen, versez-moi le Thé Dans la belle tasse chinoise, Où des poissons d'or cherchent noise... Read more »
• The Wind – A Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson

  

  Here’s a lovely poem about The Wind by Robert Louis Stevenson with a couple of mp3 renditions. MP3 of The Wind 2nd MP3 of The Wind The Wind   I saw you toss the kites on high And blow the birds about the sky; And all around I heard you pass, Like ladies’ skirts across the grass– O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind,... Read more »
• Clouds – A Poem by Christina Rossetti with an MP3 Recording

  

  Here’s a little poem about clouds by Christina Rossetti. MP3 of the Poem "Clouds" Clouds by Christina Rossetti White sheep, white sheep, On a blue hill, When the wind stops You all stand still When the wind blows You walk... Read more »
• Can Anyone Help with a Yiddish Rhyme that Starts, with "Salz Schmalz"?

  Debra wrote asking for help with a Yiddish rhyme: The following has been passed down through the ages (at least 150 years) by my mothers family, though we can only guess what the words mean now or the correct spelling of the words. I am hoping you may recognize it or be able to decipher it... Read more »
• Can Anyone Help with a Yiddish Rhyme that Sounds Like, "Sipicle sipicle amadal"?

  Jeff wrote asking for help with a Yiddish song.  Here’s his email: Hi, I grew up reciting a Yiddish rhyme or song where we pinched the skin on the back of each others hands and bobbed them up and down while saying something like (and I’m just writing what it sounded like): "Sipicle sipicle amadal, kimsimir and kamadal,... Read more »
• Rhyming Reduplications

  

  Reduplications are words or phrases that contain a duplicated element.  An example is the phrase "riffraff".  The two parts of the word are almost the same (i.e. "riff" and "raff"), but they have a small change (the vowels).  When you have a rhyming reduplication, the duplicated element rhymes with the original element in the phrase. ... Read more »
• Can Anyone Help with the Neapolitan – Italian Song "Peter Peter Pastela"?

  Rachel wrote looking for help with an Italian song: My Italian grandmother used to sing to me a song that went something like. Peter peter pastela. canavane canela canela cususi felule mascule di... Read more »
• Ayase Lullaby

  

  Jeff Gilpin sent this lullaby with the following note, "Here is a song I wrote after visiting my wife’s sister in Ayase which is outside of Tokyo, Japan. I think it is very kid friendly and I hope you like it add it to your list of children songs. It is called Ayase Lullaby. Here... Read more »
• Can Anyone Help with a Song that Starts: "There was a young man who lived on the common"?

  Peter wrote asking for help with a song his grandmother sang him.  Here’s his email: Hello, I was hoping you’d be able to help with a song my grandmother sang to us when we were kids. It seems nobody can remember the whole thing but it starts like this: "There was a young man who lived on... Read more »
• Can Anyone Help with a Russian Folk Song?

  Kim wrote asking for help with a Russian song.  Here’s her email: I believe this is a Russian folk song I learned at school many years ago.  I am unable to remember the last verse, but I do remember the tune.  I would appreciate any help to fill in the blanks  I believe it ends with,... Read more »