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 [...]

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 [...]

Cool Cuban Kids Song – Tiene Pinochito – Little Pinocchio

Jeanette wrote to us looking for the lyrics to a Cuban lullaby and I think we can help with this one! Here's her letter, followed by the song she's looking for… Lisa, There is a nursery rhyme or song that my grandmother used to sing to me (she has been dead about 8 years now) that [...]

Can Someone Help with a German Lap Rhyme?

Gloria wrote to me: Hi, my grandma (born in Eisleben in 1875, emigrating to the Midwest in 1902, married her second husband (my grandfather) in St. Paul, lived most of her life in Wisconsin with her third husband), recited a rhyme when dandling a baby on her extended foot, either with legs crossed at the [...]

Pennsylvania Dutch Version of Dies Ist der Daumen – This Is the Thumb

I've been asked several times for the Pennsylvania Dutch Version of the German rhyme Dies Ist der Daumen – This Is the Thumb. Today I received the version below thanks to Luke and Mary Martin. Here's what Luke wrote… My wife and I are also familiar with many of the German songs. This [...]

Does Anyone Know an Old Serbian Rhyme that Sounds Like, “Studda Bubba rumpa tee”?

Connie wrote: I was hoping you could help me with an old Serbian rhyme. My mother-in-law grew up in a Serbian neighborhood. She always remembered one old rhyme. Now that she has Alzheimer’s that poem is the only thing she connects too. Problem being we only know the beginning of it, don't [...]

Birthday Chant and Jump Rope Rhyme – Apples, Peaches, Pears and Plums

My daughter and her friend Marisa taught me this birthday rhyme in the car the other day. They chant this in class to talk about birthdays and months of the year. Apples, Peaches, Pears and Plums Apples, Peaches, Pears and Plums, Tell me when your birthday comes? January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December? Some people [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Czech Rhyme that Sounds Like “Hou-py, hou-py, hou-py”?

Anna wrote: Do you know the nursery rhyme that begins: Hou-py, hou-py, hou-py, Ko-cka sue-dla krou-py Do-cour hruch I’ll try my best to write this poem-rhyme out for you. Of course, I will not be able to add the correct accent marks, punctuations marks, etc. The writing I have to copy is very small, so I [...]

Chanda Mama – “Moon” Video by Playing for Change

Chanda Mama is a song from India about the moon. Different versions exist in the various languages of India. This one is in the Telugu language, a language mainly spoken in southern India. Playing for Change made the Chanda Mama video with musicians around the world. Playing for Change creates music all [...]