A Short Poem about the Life of a Child, based on a Persian Verse
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A Short Poem about the Life of a Child, based on a Persian Verse
Friday, November 13th, 2009This 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 thy life’s last sleep,
Calm thou may’st smile, while all around thee weep.William Jones (1746-1794)
William Jones was a Persian scholar and linguist. He translated this poem from a Persian poem by an unknown author. This poem is sometimes called “The Babe”, sometimes “On Parent Knees”, and sometimes “Epigram”. An Epigram is a short, witty poem. It can also mean a paradoxical statement.
If anyone knows the original Persian version, please send me a copy at lisa@mamalisa.com and I’ll add it to this post.
Thanks!
Lisa
Mama Lisa Now Has a Facebook Group
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009We’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 Music…
Click on the icon below to access the group. If you have a Facebook account already, you just need to click on “Join the Group” to join. If you’re not a member, you simply have to sign up for free to become a member and then you can join the Mama Lisa Group…
Looking forward to seeing you in Facebook!
Mama Lisa
Multicultural Songs about the Seasons
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008People often write me looking for songs about the four seasons, from around the world. Here are some! The links below take you to the different pages on Mama Lisa’s World of International Childrens Songs. There, you’ll find the lyrics in the original languages, with English translations.
Songs about Winter
Yuki (Snow) – Japanese
A, a, a, der Winter, der ist da (A, a, a, Winter is Here) – German
La neige tombe (The Snow is Falling) – French from Canada
Zemestoon (Winter) – Persian from Iran
Kış (Winter) – Turkish from TurkeySongs about Spring
La Primavera (Springtime) – Spanish from Peru
Haru Ga Kita (Spring Has Come) – Japanese
De Colores (All the Colors) – Spanish from Mexico & SpainSongs about Summer
Trarira, der Sommer, der ist da! (Tilitum, The Summer Has Come) – German
Songs about Autumn or Fall
Couleurs d’automne (Colors of Autumn) – French
Songs or Rhymes about All Four SeasonsJoereszäiten (Seasons) – Franconian from Lorraine Region in France
Les feuilles (Leaves) – French from CanadaWhen you get to the song pages you can access French and Spanish translations too, and in some cases mp3 recordings, midis and/or scores.
Feel free to add a song about any of the seasons in the comments below or email me.
Mama Lisa
Can Someone Help with the Lyrics or Melody to the Arabic Lullaby called “Doha Ya Doha”?
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008Rondi wrote to me…
Hello Lisa!
This is Rondi Charleston – I am a singer/songwriter in the NY area.
I have an important recording project coming up in which I need an Arabic Lullaby to incorporate into an original song. I’m searching for the MELODY! Sheet music? or an MP3?
I heard about “Doha Ya Doha” from an article in Mothering Magazine by Cynthia Mosher. However, I can not find the lyrics and melody anywhere! I contacted Cynthia, but she no longer has the book, and can’t remember the song.
Also, by any chance, do you know any songs in Arabic that talk about PEACE?
I would GREATLY APPRECIATE any assistance you can give. I’ve tried the Arabic publishing house but they no longer have it. It is a traditional lullaby, apparently.
PLEASE contact me with any information.
Best Always,
RondiIf anyone can help Rondi, please comment below or email me.
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
The Muslim Festival Eid al-Adha – Festival of Sacrifice – is Celebrated Today
Thursday, December 20th, 2007This year Eid al-Adha (a holiday that’s also known as Eid Kbir) is held on the 18th to the 20th around the Muslim world. It’s a festival celebrating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
Everyone dresses up and goes to the mosque to perform the Eid prayer. Families that can afford it will also sacrifice an animal such as a sheep. Most of the meat of the sacrificed animal should go to the poor. The rest can be used for a feast for family and friends.
Recipe for Ashe Mast – A White Persian Stew
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007My neighbor brought me a sampling of a very popular Persian soup called Ashe Mast. I found it to be interesting and different. It’s the type of food my family enjoys, as they like chick peas, beans, rice and yogurt. I’ll definitely be adding it to the repertoire of meals I make.
Ashe means soup and Mast means yogurt. So Ashe Mast literally translates to Yogurt Soup.
Here’s the recipe! (You can add or subtract yogurt, depending on whether you want more of a soup, or a stew.)
Recipe for Ashe Mast
1 bunch Parsley
1 bunch Cilantro
1 medium Onion
2 bunches of Scallions
3 medium Potatoes
1/2 cup Rice
1 1/2 cup Water
1 can Garbanzo Beans (16 oz.)
1 can White Beans (16 oz.)
Salt and Pepper
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt (8-16 oz.)Wash the parsley and cilantro, take out the stems and coarsely chop the leaves. Wash and chop the onion and scallions and cube the potatoes.
Sauté the onion in a little oil until soft. Add water and rice and stir. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat and cook for 15 minutes. Add the greens, potatoes and beans. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook slowly until the potatoes are cooked through (about 15-20 minutes), stirring occasionally.
After the rice and potatoes are cooked, take of the heat for a moment. The ingredients should be warm (not hot) and it’s better if the yogurt has been left out of the fridge for a while, so that when added it doesn’t curdle. Add yogurt and gradually heat up the entire mixture and serve.
Many thanks to Ginger Levanti and Frida for the recipe! If anyone would like to share a recipe, I always like to try new dishes. Please feel free to comment below or email me.
-Mama Lisa
How to Find Sheet Music, Tunes and MP3’s on Mama Lisa’s World
Saturday, January 6th, 2007In 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. It’s been exciting to watch it grow. My only frustration is not being able to find either written (preferably) or audio music to accompany the lyrics. How do I find the tunes for all these great lyrics?
Matt
Music Teacher, Rhode Island, USAHere’s what I wrote back, I’m sharing it with you, in case it helps you too…
Hey Matt,
Thanks for writing!
We’ve just added basic sheet music to a lot of songs on the Germany, France, Hungary, Spain and Mexico pages – plus many others.
We’re now in the process of converting the whole site to a database. We’re halfway through. Hopefully by the summer we’ll have a feature that will let you do a search on songs that have sheet music, midis or mp3’s. Midis play the tune of a song. MP3’s are recordings – usually of someone singing the song.
But for now, the songs on the countries that are in the database are working on a simple system. On the country pages they have symbols next to the song if they have special features. Here’s the key…
KEY TO SYMBOLS
– this song has sheet music
Midi – this song has a Midi tune
MP3 – this song has an MP3 recording
– this song has a Video recording
If there’s anything in particular you’re looking for, you’re welcome to ask – in case I know if we have it or not – I may be able to guide you to the right place to find what you’re looking for.
And, of course, we’re always looking for more sheet music, midi’s and mp3’s, so if you’d like to contribute any from your culture, we’d be thrilled!
I hope this helps!
Mama Lisa
Mama Lisa’s World News and Multimedia Features
Thursday, November 30th, 2006A 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 it easier to access all of the songs, we are in the process of converting the sites to a database. The database allow our visitors to search for songs on the site by language, by songs with sheet music, recordings, etc.
While we’re putting the songs into the database, we’re trying to obtain as much information as possible about each song. So if we can find the tune, we’ll include a midi tune and sheet music. If we find a recording of the song on the internet, we’ll provide a link to the recording. Sometimes we’ll make a recording ourselves. Anything we can do to help you know everything possible about that song.
If you happen to see any songs on the site that are missing a tune or recording and you know it, we’d be very pleased if you could help us get the tune. We’re able to make midis from sheet music, if that’s what you can send. We’re also happy to post recordings if you’d like to sing the song, play it on an instrument, or even hum it. Really, anything to help others get an idea how to sing or play the song.
Once the database is complete Mama Lisa’s World will have 98 countries and cultures and over 850 songs. How great is that!
-Lisa
UPDATE: The Database is now complete! We have 100 countries and cultures. We’re now working on a Spanish version of Mama Lisa’s World which will feature children’s songs, folks songs and nursery rhymes from around the world with Spanish translations.
May Day – Labor Day Marches and Rallies Around the World
Monday, May 1st, 2006In an earlier entry, I wrote about the history of Labor Day.
In case you were wondering, here are some of the countries where demonstrations were held or where Labor Day was in some way honored around the world today (in some cases against the wishes of the government)…
Russia
Belarus
Japan
Germany
Italy
Philippines
Cambodia
Indonesia
Malaysia
South Korea
Malta
Mexico
France
Nepal
Portugal
Sri Lanka
Nigeria
Turkey
Iran
Great BritainFeel free to comment below about your country’s Labor Day traditions.
-Lisa
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