Mama Lisa's World
International Music & Culture
A place for poems, songs, rhymes and traditions from around the world for both kids and grown-ups to enjoy!
Irish Kid Songs & Rhymes
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Over 60 Irish children's songs and rhymes, with translations and commentary. An iPhone/iPad App or Book starting at just $1.99! More...
Articles about 'Folk Songs'
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,...
Debbie wrote asking fro help with a childhood song her Irish grandmother sang to her son.  Here’s her email: Hi, My grandmother came here from Ireland at 14. She died in 1971 and was 85. She used to sing to my brother when he was a baby in the carriage and my son the same. It was...
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The Ninepenny Fidil (Fiddle) is a song about playing a fiddle and about meeting a leprechaun.  The song was written by Seosamh Mac Cathmhaoil and arranged by Herbert Hughes to old Irish melody. Below you can listen to a video of the song, followed by the lyrics. The Ninepenny Fidil My...
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Song of The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker was written by Irish poet William Allingham (1824 – 1889).  Leprechauns are known to be shoemakers.  At the end of the work day, they hide away the money they earned in a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Song of The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker is...
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Here’s the charming Haitian kids song Balanse Yaya (Swing Yaya).    Below you can read the original lyrics, listen along to the song and read an English translation. Note: Yaya is a child’s name. Haitian Creole Lyrics: Jezi marie Joseph o Rat la mange pijon mwen Jezi...
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Paul Simon’s song April Come She Will seems to be loosely based around the rhyme The Cuckoo and an English ballad called Cuckoo Song.  You can read both below… The Cuckoo In April, Come he will. In May, He sings all day. ...
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The Three Ravens is a ballad that was first printed in 1611.  I found this reading by Alan Davis-Drake so well done, that I had to post the lyrics here with his recording! I’ve annotated the song within the lyrics and updated the spelling.  The refrain consists of nonsense words used for the sound. MP3 Recording of...
We were sent these two songs from Mexico but can’t find any information about them.  We’re wondering if anyone knows anything about them such as: Do they have an author or are they anonymously written?  Approximately how old are they? Any info about these songs would be very helpful.  Please comment below if you can help. Thanks in...
Marianne wrote asking for help with a Canadian song her grandma sang to her.  Here’s her note: Dear Mama Lisa, My cousin and I are trying to find the words to a song (possibly a nursery rhyme) that our grandmother use to sing to us. My grandparents were from Nova Scotia, Canada.  ...
Alouette is a very famous French Canadian song.  Here’s an animation of it by French singer Alain Le Lait.  Alain wrote… "I just posted my latest video, a funky version of ‘Alouette, gentille alouette’…" At this Alouette link you can read the French lyrics with an English translation.  You can learn more about the meaning of the...
Richard wrote looking for help with an Italian-American song.  Here’s what he wrote: My grandmother who came to the US at age 8 in 1903 knew this song. I can’t remember all of it and have sought anyone who ever heard of it.  Her version went something like this. (Sung with a strong broken Italian accent.)...
Sadao sent me a Samoan song that’s popular in Japan.  But most Japanese people only know the Japanese version.  Can anyone help us track down the original?  Here’s Sadao’s email followed by the song in English, Japanese, and the midi tune…. Sending a new song of Samoa in Oceania.  Here are the Japanese lyrics of this...
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American children’s folk singer Ella Jenkins released a new cd earlier this year.  It’s called A Life of Song. Ella’s music is a lovely way to introduce kids to American folk songs and spirituals.  She actually sings some of the songs with children on this cd. The cd starts out with Pick a Bale of Cotton. ...
Jane Miller wrote to me from a library in Canada asking for help with a song. Here’s her email: Dear Lisa We have had an inquiry on the following folk song. Our inquirer’s mother sang it to him in the 1930’s. She emigrated to Canada from Scotland aged 10, so he thinks the song could be...
Laurie has some interesting blogs about Haitian music and culture. Here are links to them…. Eritaj Kreol (Creole Heritage) – Haitian Songs and Lyrics in Creole and English, some include scores Caribbean Living – Discussions about the Creole Language, Recipes and Stories about Life in Haiti Haitian Gospel Hymns in French – some include English Translations and...
Today we received 17 new recordings of Spanish and Catalan childrens songs! We added mp3’s of the following Spanish kids songs on Mama Lisa’s World, Songs from Spain: - Al corro de la patata - Arre borriquito - El barquito chiquitito (coming soon) - El cocherito - El patio de mi casa - Chocolate, molinillo - Debajo un botón - Jugando al escondite -...
William Whelan wrote to me looking for help with a Haitian song. The song is called “Angelique O” and seems to have been written during the US occupation of Haiti (1915 – 1934). Here you’ll find the original Haitian lyrics with an English translation. First I’ll start with William’s email: My father taught me...
Here’s a cool song from the South with a video and lyrics… My old hen’s a good old hen She lay eggs for railroad men Sometimes eight, sometimes ten She lay eggs for railroad men. Cluck old hen, cluck and squall Ain’t laid an egg since late last fall. Cluck old hen, cluck and sing Ain’t laid an egg since late last spring. My...
My Traditional Swedish FolkSongs is a site featuring scores and midis for many Swedish folk songs. If you’re looking for tunes and sheet music to go to traditional Swedish songs, check it out. We also have some traditional Swedish songs with English, French and Spanish translations on Mama Lisa’s World. Enjoy! Mama Lisa
We received 3 Malay songs without translations. The songs are, “Bangau Oh Bangau”,”Burung Kenek-kenek” and “Lagu Tiga Kupang”. If anyone can help translate any of them, please email me. Thanks! Here are the lyrics… 1. Bangau Oh Bangau Bangau oh bangau, kenapa engkau kurus? Macam-mana aku tak kurus, ikan tak mahu timbul. ikan tak mahu timbul. Ikan...
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