Holiday Songs | Mama Lisa's World Blog

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Ghost of John – Halloween Song with MP3 Recording

Monday, October 26th, 2009

My daughter and her friends Marisa and Melisa taught me this Halloween song, which seems to be traditional American. It’s called Ghost of John. Below are the lyrics and two renditions, one by Marisa and one by Melisa, plus a drawing by Melisa.

But first, here’s Marisa announcing it with a Halloween song about Halloween songs…

Halloween is coming soon,
One, Two Three,
If you want a spooky song,
Call on me.

Here’s the Ghost of John song…

MP3 of Ghost of John by Marisa

MP3 of Ghost of John by Melisa

Ghost of John

Have you seen the Ghost of John?
Long white bones and the rest all gone,
Ooh, ooh!
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no skin on?

While the girls would sing the song they would all stand in the mirror, looking for the ghost of John. Of course, someone would see part of the ghost… like his ear, in the mirror. Then they would all scream. Finally, they ended the game because they were freaking each other out. I guess that’s what Halloween is all about… ghosts!

Drawing of Ghost of John

Many thanks to Marisa and Melisa for singing Ghost of John for us and to Melisa for the drawing!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in American Kids Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Ghost of John, Halloween, Halloween Songs, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Recordings of Songs, Traditional Songs, USA | 1 Comment »

There was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones – A Hallowe’en Song and Video

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

I’ve posted several versions of this great Halloween song in the past… It’s called There Was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones.

Here’s yet another version below from Matt Vaughan and his friend Pam. They explain how to make it spookier for Halloween!

Here are the chords from Matt…
Am – Dm Am / Am Dm Am – ://

There was an old woman all skin and bones
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
She lived down by the old graveyard
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
One night she thought she’d take a walk
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
She walked down by the old graveyard
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
She saw the bones a-laying around
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
She went to the closet to get a broom
Ooo oo-oo-oooo
She opened the door and…
BOO!

Have a spooky-fun Halloween!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in American Kids Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, English, English Children's Songs, Folk Songs, Halloween, Halloween Songs, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, Mama Lisa, There Was a Women All Skin and Bones, USA, Video, YouTube | No Comments »

Independence Day in Indonesia with a Song and YouTube Video

Monday, August 17th, 2009

August 17th is Independence Day in Indonesia. Lin Fdln sent me this song called “Hallo Hallo Bandung” that’s sung in Indonesia for the holiday. Here’s what Lin wrote to me, followed by the lyrics to the song, an English translation and a YouTube video…

This is a song from the revolutionary period, when Indonesia fought for freedom and sovereignty. (Independence was declared on August 17, 1945 – before that the Netherlands had ruled Indonesia.)

Bandung is the capital city of Priangan Province/State (now West Java). It was the second largest city in Indonesia at that time.

All Indonesian kids know and can sing this song, since it is taught in every elementary school. Especially in August (the Indonesian anniversary), this is one of the many independence theme songs we love to hear and sing.

Hallo Hallo Bandung
By Ismail Marzuki

Hallo hallo Bandung
Ibukota Periangan
Hallo hallo Bandung
Kota kenang-kenangan
Sudah lama beta
Tidak berjumpa dengan kau
Sekarang telah menjadi lautan api
Mari bung rebut kembali

English Translation:

Hallo Hallo Bandung
(Indonesian)

Hallo hallo Bandung
Capital city of Priangan
Hallo hallo Bandung
City of many memories
It’s been so long
Since I met you
Now burning like a sea of fire
Let’s go take Bandung back.

Sincerely,

Lin Fdln

Many thanks to Lin for sharing this song with us! Happy Independence Day!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Hallo Hallo Bandung, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Independence Day, Independence Day Songs, Indonesia, Indonesian, Indonesian Children's Songs, Languages, YouTube | No Comments »

About The Japanese Star Festival – Tanabata – with a Song and YouTube Video

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

One wonderful festival that takes place in Japan in July is the Star Festival, also known as Tanabata. Tanabata means “evening of the seventh”… the Star Festival takes place at night on July 7th every year. Tanabata is originally based on a Chinese legend.

Tanabata celebrates the meeting of a husband and wife. They are Orihime (the star Vega) and Hikoboshi (the star Altair)… to meet they must cross the river Amanogawa (the Milky Way). They can only meet once a year on this night… it’s the one time they can cross the river. The story is that a flock of magpies help Orihime cross the river on this day only. If it’s a cloudy night, that means the river was too high and Orihame and Hikoboshi couldn’t meet. So in Japan everyone wishes for a clear night full of stars on July 7th.

Ayako Egawa in Japan wrote to me about one fun tradition on this day: “Children write their wishes on strips of fancy paper and put them on displays made of the branches of bamboo trees.”

Ayako sent me this photo below with the note, “This is the decoration at Star festival (Tanabata) on July 7th.”

Photo of a Bambo Tree for the Star Festival Tanabata in Japan

Here’s a traditional Tanabata Song that’s sung for the festival. First you’ll find a Japanese transliteration, then the Japanese text, an English translation by me, followed by a YouTube video of a little girl singing it…

Sasa no ha sara-sara

In Japanese Romaji:

Sasa no ha sara-sara
Nokiba ni yureru
Ohoshi-sama kira-kira
Kingin sunago

In Japanese Text:

笹の葉　さらさら
軒端にゆれる
お星様　キラキラ
金銀砂子

English Translation:

Bamboo leaves are rustling, rustling,
Swaying close to the roof’s edge,
Oh, how the stars are twinkling, twinkling,
Gold and silver grains of sand.

If you’d like to share any photos, songs or memories of this festival, feel free to in the comments below or email me at lisa@mamalisa.com .

Many thanks to Ayako Egawa for letting us know about this festival and for sharing the wonderful photo!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Customs, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Kids Songs, Languages, Mama Lisa, Sasa no ha sara-sara, Star Festival, Star Festival Songs, Tanabata, YouTube | 1 Comment »

Lyrics to the Norwegian Birthday Song with an English Translation and YouTube Videos

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Here are lyrics to the Norwegian Birthday song “Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!” (Hurray for You for Celebrating Your Birthday). It’s a birthday song written by Margrethe Aabel Munthe (1860 – 1931):

Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!
(Norwegian)

Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!
Ja, deg vil vi gratulere!
Alle i ring omkring deg vi står,
og se, nå vil vi marsjere,
bukke, nikke, neie, snu oss omkring,
danse så for deg med hopp og sprett og spring,
ønske deg av hjertet alle gode ting
og si meg så, hva vil du mere? Gratulere!

Høyt våre flagg vi svinger. Hurra!
Ja, nå vil vi riktig feste!
Dagen er din, og dagen er bra,
men du er den aller beste!
Se deg om i ringen hvem du vil ta!
Dans en liten dans med den du helst vil ha!
Vi vil alle sammen svinge oss så gla’
og en av oss skal bli den neste – til å feste!

Here’s an English translation I came up with…

Hurray for You for Celebrating Your Birthday!

Hurray for you for celebrating your birthday!
Yes, we congratulate you!
We all stand around you in a ring,
And look, now we’ll march,
Bow, nod, curtsy, we turn around,
Dance for you and hop and skip and jump!
Wishing you from the heart all good things!
And tell me, what more could you want? Congratulations!

We wave our flags up high! Hurray!
Yes now we’ll really celebrate!
The day is yours, the day is great,
But you’re the best!
Look in the ring who you want to choose!
Dance a little dance with who you want to!
We’ll all turn around together so joyfully,
And one of us shall be the next – to celebrate!

Here you can hear the first verse (which is how it’s traditionally sung)…

Here’s a video with both verses mentioned above, plus extra verses after that, and it shows the actions you can do with the song.

If anyone could provide any info about the extra lyrics that would be great! But note that they don’t seem to be part of the original lyrics by Margrethe Aabel Munthe. Just the first two verses are. Most people know the first verse. Some know the two above. I don’t think many are familiar with more than that!

Happy Birthday Everyone!

Love, Mama Lisa

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Posted in Birthday Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Customs, English, Holiday Songs, Languages, Mama Lisa, Norway, Norwegian, Norwegian Children's Songs, YouTube | 2 Comments »

Hiding the Matzo for Passover

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

One Passover tradition that children love is "Hide the Matzoh". An adult hides a piece of matzo that’s wrapped in a cloth napkin or put in a baggie. Then the children try to find it. Whoever finds the matzoh gets a prize. The prize is often chocolate money (gelt) or real money (like a dollar).

“Hide the Matzoh” can also be part of a larger tradition called Afrikoman. Here are some details: In a traditional Seder (Passover meal), there are three whole matzos placed on the Passover table and covered with a cloth napkin. Before the Seder begins, the middle matzo is broken in half. The smaller piece is placed back on the plate and the larger one is wrapped and hidden (if there are kids at the Seder). This piece – the larger piece of the middle matzo – is called the “Afrikoman”.

After the matzo has been found by the children, and the Seder meal has been eaten, the guests eat the Afrikoman.

Some families have a different tradition where the children "steal" the Afrikoman and then hold it for ransom. The adults then have to give money or a gift to the children to get it back!

Traditionally, the Afrikoman is supposed to be the last thing that’s eaten of the day and it should be eaten before midnight.

Chad Gadyo is a traditional Passover song – you can click the link for the lyrics, a translation, midi and score. You can hear one version of it below…

Happy Passover!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Games, Hide the Matzoh, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Israel, Passover, Passover Songs, Seder, USA | No Comments »

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

When the Cherry Blossoms bloom in Japan it’s traditional to go to the park to view the blossoms and have a picnic. Cherry Blossom viewing is called called Hanami. Ayako Egawa generously shared her photos of this years cherry blossom viewing.

Ayako wrote, "We walked under the flow of cherry blossoms in the park. It was beautiful!"

Close up of the cherry blossoms.

Ayako continued, "Lots of people enjoy sitting and eating ‘bento’ (their lunch)."

Ayako wrote, "We hiked along the road hearing the twitter of Japanese Bush Warbler.
I like the feel of spring!"

I asked Ayako what the Japanese Bush Warbler sounds like and she wrote, "Hearing the twitter of the Japanese Bush Warbler is a sign of Spring in Japan. They sing like ‘Whoo Who ket kyo’! It’s a unique twitter." Later Ayako sent me this YouTube video below she found to hear the bird’s tweet.

Ayako wrote, "Small purple flowers in the park. They are pretty."

Ayako wrote, "Cherry blossoms in this school playground are really beautiful! It’s common that there are lots of cherry blossoms in school playgrounds in Japan."

Thanks so much for sharing these great photos with us Ayako!

Check out these posts for more about Cherry Blossom Viewing and Festivals.

•Cherry Blossom Parties in Japan and a Japanese Folk Song called "Hana" ("Sakura")

•"Sakura, Sakura" another Japanese Cherry Blossom Song

•Cherry Blossom Festivals Around the World

•Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

•Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan

You can also hear 2 well known Cherry Blossom Songs on Mama Lisa’s World:

Sakura – Cherry Blossoms

Sakura Sakura – Cherry Blossoms (Song #2)

Enjoy the season and try to see Cherry Blossoms blooming near you if possible. It’s worth the effort.

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Folk Songs, Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing, Hanami - Cherry Blossom or Sakura Songs, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Folk Songs, Japanese Kids Songs, Languages, Photos, Photos, Photos of People, Photos of Places, Sakura, Sakura - Cherry Blossoms, Seasonal, Spring, Traveling, YouTube | 1 Comment »

Ram Navami a Hindu Festival

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Ram Navami is April 3rd this year. It’s a Hindu Festival that’s also called Ramanavami. It’s a celebration of the birth of Rama.

Vishnu is the supreme God according to the Hindu religion. There are 10 incarnations of Vishnu – they are known as the “Dasavatara” (dasa means 10 in Sanskrit). Nine of the incarnations of Vishnu are thought to have appeared in the past and the 10th is supposed to come in the future. Rama is the 7th incarnation. Ram Navami celebrates his birthday.

The Ramayana is a great epic poem of India. Rama is the hero of The Ramayana (”Romance of Rama”). On Ram Navami, people tell stories from this great poem.

The stories involve Rama, his brother, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Rama’s wife, Sita. In some places there are Rama Navami processions with chariots carrying people dressed up as these four personages.

Some people also fast for this festival and exchange gifts with their loved ones.

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Great Britain, Hinduism, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, India, Mama Lisa, Ram Navami | 3 Comments »

Hina Matsuri – Doll Festival in Japan

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Hina Matsuri or “Doll Festival”, is celebrated in Japan on March 3rd every year.

Ayako Egawa wrote to me from Japan about the holiday:

“Families with daughters celebrate March 3 by displaying Hina-dolls on a stepped shelf to express the wish for their daughters’ good health and growth. I posted a photo of ‘Hina-dolls’ (below). They are pretty.”

“We decorate Hina-dolls with flowers of peach and field mascard (canola) on ‘Hina Matsuri’. These below are flowers of peach.” The peach blossoms are thought to repel evil.

Ayako makes flower arrangements. She wrote, “This is a ‘Hinamatsuri’ arrangement I made. It has in it flowers of peach, field mustard (canola – the small yellow flower), gerbera, roses, persion buttercup (the big yellow flower) and lemon leaf. The point of this arrangement is arrange the flowers of peach vertically going higher. The pink tone of the flowers create an elegant mood.”

Here’s the Hina Matsuri Song that’s sung all over Japan for the holiday. You can hear it being sung below by Sakura and Hatsami. The recording is followed by the transliterated lyrics, an English translation and the Japanese text…

MP3 of the Hina Matsuri Song

Hina Matsuri Song

Transliterated Japanese

Akari o tsukema sho bon bori ni
O hana o agemasyo momo no hana
Gonin – bayashi no fue daiko
Kyoo wa tanoshii Hina Matsuri

Loose English Translation

Let’s light the lanterns on the tiered stand
Let’s put peach blossoms on the tiered stand
Five court musicians are playing flutes and drums
Today is a Happy Dolls’ Festival.

Japanese Text for the Hina Matsuri Song

うれしいひなまつり

You can read more about Hina Matsuri in a previous posts I’ve written about it by clicking on the links below.

•Hina Matsuri - Doll Festival in Japan

•Hina Matsuri 雛祭り - The Doll Festival in Japan - Has its Roots in an Old Chinese Purification Ceremony

•Hina Matsuri, The Doll Festival in Japan is on March 3rd

You can visit the Mama Lisa’s World Hina Matsuri Song Page for sheet music to this song.

Many thanks Ayako Egawa for sharing her photos with us about Hinamatsuri and for commenting on them, to Sakura and Hatsami for singing the Hina Matsuri Song and to Peter Galante of Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com for allowing us to use this wonderful recording! The recording is from their podcast about the Hina Matsuri Festival (it’s mainly in English).

Happy Hina Matsuri!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Great Britain, Hina Matsuri - Doll Festival - Girls' Day, Hina Matsuri Song, Hina Matsuri Song, Hina Nagashi Matsuri - Floating Dolls Festival, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Kids Songs, Languages, MP3 of Hina Matsuri Song, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Recordings of Songs | 2 Comments »

Blog about Living in New Orleans

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Check out the Toulouse Blog about life in New Orleans.

Here’s an excerpt of what he had to say approaching the Mardi Gras…

When one is called to Carnival, the first question will always be: what do I wear?

…You must simply find or make a mask, one that calls you to wear it, that dictates the costume that accompanies it, that leads you to surrender yourself to the spirit of the mask.

It need not even be a mask. My “mask” this year is a tri-corner, Asian-styled hat. I do not have the costume, but I already see the costume. When you can see the character in the object, when you can see yourself in the character, you will have found the one.

Without that mask, you can only be The Tourist. We see them at Carnival common as sparrows, and the camera is their mask. They come, take Carnival’s blurry picture and go home with fabulous hangovers… If you come do not choose to be The Tourist. Carnival is an occasion to be the spirit you know inside you. So take on your mask,… and enter through the gate The Tourists never pass, down the carriageway that opens into the courtyard at the heart of Carnival. It is filled with masks and spirits.

If reading the Toulouse blog gets you in the New Orleans mood, head on over to Home of the Groove to listen to some New Orleans music – (including some songs typically played in the Mardi Gras parade). You’ll feel like you’re in the heart of New Orleans. Bon voyage!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Blues, Carnival Songs, Countries & Cultures, Holiday Songs, Jazz, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Mardi Gras Songs, Music, New Orleans, Recommendations, Recordings of Songs, Sites about Music, Travel Sites, Traveling, USA, USA | No Comments »

Chinese New Year

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

The Chinese New Year starts on January 26th this year. It’ll be the year of the Ox.

Here’s a composition by David W. Solomons that he created in honor of the holiday.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can read previous posts about the Chinese New Year.

If you’d like to find a festival near you, check out an article about some Chinese New Years Festivals around the world. If the weather permits, I’d like to bring my family to the one in Chinatown, in New York City.

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Posted in China, Chinese, Chinese New Year, Chinese New Years Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, Great Britain, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Hong Kong, Languages, Mama Lisa, Taiwan, USA | 1 Comment »

Winter Wonderland YouTube Video and Song

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Here’s a nice, white and wintry video of the Winter Wonderland song, sung by alto singer, David Solomons…

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Posted in Christmas Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, Great Britain, Holiday Songs, Seasonal, Solstice Songs, Winter, YouTube | No Comments »

French and Occitan Christmas Carol Links

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

Here are some Carols you can find the lyrics and translations to and often an mp3, midi, score, YouTube video and French and Spanish Translations – just click the link to access them:

Occitan Christmas Carols

Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – from Occitania
Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – Recording only – from Occitania

Pastres, rintratz vòstrei tropèus – Shepherds, Bring Your Flocks In – Occitania
Lo paure Satan – Poor Satan – Occitania

French Christmas Carols

Nous étions trois bergerettes – We Were Three Young Shepherdesses – France
Patapan – France
Willie Take Your Little Drum – English Version of the French Carol Called Patapan

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Christmas, Christmas MP3's, Christmas Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, France, French, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Occitan, Occitan, Recordings of Songs, Spanish | No Comments »

Christmas in Thailand and a New Thai Version of Jingle Bells

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

Jet sent me a Thai version of Jingle Bells that she wrote. We don’t have any Thai Christmas songs, so I thought it would be nice to post here.

Here’s the note Jet wrote to me, followed by her song, followed by explanations of some of the Thai words:

I remembered hearing an Australian version of Jingle Bells, and I found it at your website. Your Australian versions of Jingle Bells prompted my to try my hand at writing a Thai version of the song as follows; hope you like it.

To be sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells” …

MP3 of Jingle Bells on Piano

Dashing through the Soi,
Clutching at your hat
Racing with the dogs,
Chasing off stray cats.
Hoping it will be cool,
Finding out you’re wrong
Red faced and hot and dripping sweat
You have a cold beer by the khlong.

Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
Christmas time is here,
Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
Good friends and good cheer, oh!

Sawasdee, from us all,
Party time is near,
Sanook time, one and all,
Good friends and good cheer!

Use tuk-tuks to get around,
They have the fastest moves,
It seems they have no rules,
They go where they can.
Hang on for your life,
Question who is nuts,
They rev and weave to a fare-thee-well
You end up praying for your life!

Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
Christmas time is here,
Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
Good friends and good cheer, oh!
Sawasdee, from us all,
Party time is near,
Sanook time, one and all,
Good friends and good cheer!

Note:
Soi = street
Khlong = canal
Jing-en ben = the way Thai people pronounce “Jingle Bells”
Somtam = papaya salad
Sawasdee = hello
Sanook = fun
Tuk-tuk = a three wheeled open vehicle, used to get around the city

Written by Ms. Jetharee Uditananda in November 2008

I asked Jet if there are any specific Christmas time traditions in Thailand. Here’s what she wrote:

There are no specially “Thai” Christmas traditions here that I know of. Only one thing stands out; the Thais have “borrowed” the Western idea of gift giving, parties and family gatherings in the Christmas-New Year period.

Now, Thais do not only “go home” to their home towns during the Thai New Year (we call it our “Songkran” festival in April), we also take the opportunity of a few days of holiday to “go home” in the Christmas-New Year period to see relatives and loved ones.

Wishing you a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year Jet

Thanks Jet!

Finally, I found on some forums they mentioned that The Alvin and the Chipmunks album is the most popular music in Thailand at Christmastime. (You can hear clips at the link.) They also sing “Jingen Ben Jingen Ben Jingen Aun A Ray” (Jingle Bells), “Sandy Craw iss Comen to Taun” (Santa Claus is Coming to Town) and “I Deeming Ova Why Clissimus” (I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas).

Many thanks to Ms. Jetharee Uditananda for sharing her version of Jingle Bells with us and for letting us know about Christmas in Thailand. Thanks also to Dave Maddock of Project Gutenberg for the mp3 recording.

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Christmas, Christmas MP3's, Christmas Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells mp3, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Music, Recordings of Songs, Thailand | No Comments »

A Spanish Christmas Carol called Ay del chiquirritín – Oh, The Poor, Little Baby Boy

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

I love how this Carol sounds in Spanish. The R’s are a bit challenging to sing – if you’re not a native speaker – at least for me they are!

Below you’ll find the Spanish lyrics to “Ay del chiquirritín”, followed by an English translation, then an mp3 recording and finally a YouTube video (with slightly different lyrics).

Enjoy!

Ay del chiquirritín
(Spanish Christmas Carol)

Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.

Entre un buey y una mula Dios ha nacido
y en un pobre pesebre lo han recogido.

Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.

Por debajo del arco del portalico
se descubre a María, José y el Niño.

Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.

No me mires airado, hijito mío
mírame con los ojos que yo te miro.

Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.

Oh, The Poor Little Baby Boy
(English Translation)

Oh, the poor little baby boy*, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

Between an ox and a donkey, the Child God was born
And in a poor manger, they received him.

Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

Below the arch of the portal
We find Mary, Joseph and the Child.

Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

Don’t look at me angrily, my dear little one,
Look at me the same way as I look at you.

Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.

*The literal translation should be “Woe the little boy”. But that sounded too strong for a current translation so “poor little boy” seems more accurate in modern English.

MP3 Recording of “Ay del chiquirritín”

Check out the song page of “Ay del chiquirritín” at Mama Lisa’s World for the French translation, a score and midi.

Thanks to Monique Palomares for contributing this song and singing this song for us! Translated into English by Monique Palomares and Lisa Yannucci.

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Posted in Ay del chiquirritín, Bolivia, Chile, Christmas, Christmas MP3's, Christmas Songs, Colombia, Costa Rica, Countries & Cultures, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, English, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Recordings of Songs, Spain, Spanish, USA, Venezuela, YouTube | 1 Comment »

Happy Hanukkah!

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Hanukkah, Hanukkah Songs, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, I Have a Little Dreidel, Israel, USA, YouTube | No Comments »

December Song on the Piano

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Here’s a song for the piano called December by Jay Rouse and played by Vi Huynh.

You can purchase Jay Rouse’s Arrangements online by clicking the link.

Click the following link to hear another piano arrangement called December by George Winston.

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Posted in Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Mama Lisa, Music, Seasonal, Songs by Theme, Winter, Winter Solstice, YouTube | No Comments »

Solstice Song

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Here’s a Solstice song written by Moon Cloud and sung by Alto David Solomons…

Happy Winter Solstice!

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, England, Great Britain, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Mama Lisa, Solstice Songs, Winter Solstice, YouTube | No Comments »

Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Here’s the Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito – “Here Comes Baby Jesus”. First you’ll find a YouTube rendition of it by children in Loja – Ecuador (South America), followed by the lyrics in Spanish and then an English translation…

Ya viene el Niñito

Ya viene el Niñito jugando entre flores
Y los pajaritos le cantan amores
Ya se despertaron los pobres pastores
Y le van llevando pajitas y flores
La paja esta fría la cama está dura
La Virgen María llora con ternura

Ya nomás se caen todas las estrellas
A los pies del niño, más lindo que ellas
Niñito bonito, manojo de flores
Llora pobrecito por los pecadores.

Here’s a rhyming translation I did in English based on a literal translation by Monique Palomares…

Here comes Baby Jesus playing among the flowers
And the birdies sing him love songs from the bowers
The poor shepherds awoke at an early hour
So they could bring him straw and flowers
The bed is hard, the straw is cold,
The Virgin Mary cries tenderly, behold.

Now all of the stars in the sky descend
At the baby’s feet, he’s prettier than them.
Bunch of flowers, beautiful son,
Cries for sinners, poor little one.

Many thanks to Armando Vertiz Cayo for contributing this song.

Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…

Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video
Short Holiday Jazz Animation

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Posted in Christmas, Christmas Songs, Countries & Cultures, Ecuador, English, Great Britain, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, Mama Lisa, Peru, Spain, Spanish, Venezuela, Ya viene el Niñito, YouTube | 2 Comments »

Barbershop Quartet recording of “Stille Nacht!” – “Silent Night” in German

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Matt Huffman sent us this Barbershop Quartet recording of the first verse of “Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!”. It’s the original version of the Christmas song, “Silent Night” – which was first written as a poem in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816. Below the mp3 recording you’ll find the German lyrics, followed by an English translation.

Listen to the Barbershop Quartet version of Still Nacht – 1st verse – mp3

Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
(German Lyrics)

Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab’ im lockigen Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Alleluja,
Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
"Jesus der Retter ist da!"
"Jesus der Retter ist da!"

Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’.
Jesus in deiner Geburt!
Jesus in deiner Geburt!

Here’s the English translation of “Stille Nacht”. The translation is of the German song – it’s not the English song “Silent Night” – which is different…

Silent Night, Holy Night
(English Translation of the German Original)

Silent night, holy night,
All’s asleep, alone awake
Only that faithful, holy couple.
The nice boy with curly hair,
Sleeps in heavenly peace,
Sleeps in heavenly peace!

Silent night, holy night,
To the shepherds first announced,
By the angels’ Alleluia,
Is sounding aloud from far and near:
“Jesus the Savior is here.”
“Jesus the Savior is here.”

Silent night, holy night,
O Son of God, lovingly laughs,
From your divine mouth!
Now, the hour of salvation rings for us,
Jesus, in thy birth,
Jesus, in thy birth!

Many thanks to Matt Huffman for the recording. English translation by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares.

Here’s a link to the long version of Stille Nacht

Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…

Short Holiday Jazz Animation
Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video

Share on Facebook and other services:

Posted in Austria, Christmas, Christmas MP3's, Christmas Songs, Countries & Cultures, German, Germany, Holiday Songs, Holidays Around the World, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Recordings of Songs, Silent Night, Stille Nacht | No Comments »

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Ghost of John – Halloween Song with MP3 Recording

There was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones – A Hallowe’en Song and Video

Independence Day in Indonesia with a Song and YouTube Video

About The Japanese Star Festival – Tanabata – with a Song and YouTube Video

Lyrics to the Norwegian Birthday Song with an English Translation and YouTube Videos

Hiding the Matzo for Passover

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan

Ram Navami a Hindu Festival

Hina Matsuri – Doll Festival in Japan

Blog about Living in New Orleans

Chinese New Year

Winter Wonderland YouTube Video and Song

French and Occitan Christmas Carol Links

Christmas in Thailand and a New Thai Version of Jingle Bells

A Spanish Christmas Carol called Ay del chiquirritín – Oh, The Poor, Little Baby Boy

Happy Hanukkah!

December Song on the Piano

Solstice Song

Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito

Barbershop Quartet recording of “Stille Nacht!” – “Silent Night” in German