Can Anyone Help with a Greek Translation of Palamakia (Clap)?

We received a Greek kids clapping song called Palamakia that we could use a little help with. Below is the Greek text, a transliteration and a rough translation. We'd like to know if the English translation is okay or if it needs to be changed at all… Greek Text Παλαμάκια Παλαμάκια παίξετε κι [...]

Chenodia – Mother Goose in Dead Languages

Chenodia, The Classic Mother Goose (1871) by John Bigelow was just released online.  It appears to be the traditional English nursery rhymes translated into Latin and Ancient Greek. If anyone knows anything else about this text, please let us know in the comments below. Mama Lisa Share on Facebook and other services:

Some Proverbs about Earth for Earth Day

Here are some proverbs for Earth Day… Old Proverbs: -The Earth produces all things and receives all again. -Earth is the Best Shelter -What the heaven showers down, the Earth drinks up. (Greek Proverb) This one is not about the Earth, but it involves the Earth. -Six feet of earth make all men of one size. (Italian – Sei pie di [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Greek Kids Song?

Mary wrote: I am of Greek decent but I have forgotten most of my Greek. I do remember vaguely a song my yia yia used to sing. I was wondering if you could help me with it. I found this on the internet, but the song I remember is much shorter and ends with “ya ma ta [...]

Mama Lisa Now Has a Facebook Group

We'd love it if you'd join the Mama Lisa Facebook Group. You can post anything you'd like about your culture. You can post your own musical recordings or YouTube videos… Links to culture and musical sites… Photos of your country… Questions about songs or cultural issues… Anything related to World Culture and [...]

The Symbolism of the Egg

As Easter approaches, it's natural to think a little about eggs! In days gone by the egg, due to its shape, was a symbol of the earth. Thanks to its obvious association with the beginning of life, it has also been the basis of many ancient creation stories. It has been a symbol [...]

Symbolic Foods Eaten Around the World for New Years

In many parts of the world, the foods eaten on New Years Eve and New Years Day have important symbolic meanings. These symbols seem to fall into several major categories. The first class symbolizes financial prosperity. This type of food is round like coins. Often, the dish will be round beans, like lentils, [...]

Can Someone Help Jog a Memory of a Song Sung in Greek School ?

Frances wrote: I think it was some kind of political song the 2nd graders sang. It is from many years ago and the song went something like this (very loosely phonetic)… Eme na zakou tharo zoe ros po i Pia no ti zulia proi ollo proko pi My Greek is pretty horrible, and I remember even then as [...]

How to Find Sheet Music, Tunes and MP3's on Mama Lisa's World

In addition to this blog, I also host Mama Lisa's World. Mama Lisa's World is a large collection of children's songs and rhymes from countries all around the globe. Matt, a music teacher from Rhode Island, wrote a question to me, the other day, about Mama Lisa's World: Hey Mama, I love the concept of your site. [...]

Mama Lisa's World News and Multimedia Features

A significant part of the Mama Lisa sites is a large collection of songs and nursery rhymes from around the world. We currently have about 750 songs from around 90 countries and cultures. When you consider how many languages there are in those cultures – that's a lot of information! In order to make [...]