Articles about 'Folk Songs'
May 8th, 2013
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,...
March 21st, 2013
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...
March 16th, 2013
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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February 27th, 2013
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...
July 13th, 2012
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...
May 17th, 2012
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. ...
May 11th, 2012
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...
February 21st, 2012
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...
November 20th, 2011
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. ...
August 18th, 2011
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...
July 22nd, 2011
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.)...
July 22nd, 2011
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...
July 8th, 2011
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. ...
May 2nd, 2011
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...
March 28th, 2011
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...
January 5th, 2011
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
-...
September 30th, 2010
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...
August 14th, 2010
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...
June 17th, 2010
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
June 14th, 2010
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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