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Cool Cuban Kids Song – Tiene Pinochito – Little Pinocchio

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

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 I can only remember a few lines to… it could be a Cuban nursery song, I’m not really sure… I am dying to find the lyrics to the entire song, I now sing the parts that I can remember to my daughter and wish i could remember it.

It goes something like this…

Quien es me morena que habre su boca, en ella le caben dos mil calabasas un saco de higo y otro de pasas.

I hope you can help me locate this

Thank you so much!!

Jeanette Duque

Here’s a similar version we found in Spanish, with an English translation by Monique Palomares of Mamá Lisa’s World en español…

Original Spanish Lyrics

Tiene Pinochito

Tiene Pinochito
tan pequeña boca
que en ella le caben
cien platos de sopa
trescientos pepinos
y mil calabazas
un saco de higos
y otro de pasas
a la pobre niña
le entró la viruela
calentura mala
y dolor de muelas
el médico le receta
sardinas a la parrilla
a ver si le engordan
esas pantorrillas.

Which means in English:

Little Pinocchio has
such a little mouth
that into it fits
a hundred plates of soup,
three hundreds cucumbers
and a thousand pumpkins,
a bag full of figs
and another one of raisins.
He caught the smallpox,
a bad fever
and his back tooth aches.
The doctor prescribes him
grilled sardines
to see if his calves
get bigger.

This is a jump rope song.

Monique said regarding the original question, “Jeanette’s grandma’s version must have been : ‘¿Quién es mi morena que habre su boca, en ella le caben dos mil calabazas un saco de higos y otro de pasas…?.’ The ‘quién es mi morena que…’ means ‘who is my little brown girl who opens her mouth, into it fits, etc.’ It could have been a version created by her grandma to fit the situation. Perhaps she could sing it to us to help us figure it out…”

Thanks to Monique for providing the English translation and for helping with this song!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Cuba, Cuban Children's Songs, Cuban Lullabies, English, Jump Rope Rhymes, Languages, Lullabies, Mama Lisa, Questions, Spanish, Spanish Kids Songs | 1 Comment »

Can Someone Help with a German Lap Rhyme?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

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 hips (or just straight out, but the dad’s were best at that). The rest of the family did it for every baby/little child, including myself. We never saw it in print, and we only have the phonetic sound from listening to it. Phonetically, it went something like what follows. I would dearly love to know exactly what it meant, although it is obvious based on what happened to the child:

Grandma (and all the rest of us who had children) would cross her legs at her hips, sit the baby on her upper ankle, hold the baby’s two hands in hers, and bounce the baby lightly up and down, until the end of the rhyme, when she would let the child fall back, laughing, and then lift the child back up, and begin again!

Scheckle, scheckle, reiderlein,
Ven die kinder kleinerschein
Reiden zie auf steckerlein,

Ven zie greis auf verten
Reiden zie auferten
Zen zie verten,
Klip, Klop, Klip Klop
Reiden zi (then something like a scary word or sounds)

“Boom stehl leckta!” really loud!

The adult lets the child fall back, usually grinning happily. (Sometimes a baby didn’t like it but others wanted you to pull them up onto your ankle and do it again! Some kids got a little dizzy if you did this action too fast! But mostly they loved it. I don’t remember their doing it with me, but I am certain they did, that’s where the phonetic sound and rhythm of the lines as I remember them come in, as well as my mother’s saying it to me when I was older and wanted her to tell me what it was, but it would always have been a phonetic memory, since she never really learned much German except what was common… the words you aren’t supposed to say!) This was done several times, until either one’s leg was tired, or the child needed a rest. I just used the phonetic version when I treated my kids as babies to the fun game, but for some reason I never asked my grandma. I was told that it meant something like, “When a child is little it rides on a stick horse, but when it tries to ride a real horse, he will go faster and fall off.” Have you ever heard this? I possibly have some of the phonetics wrongly remembered, but the rhythm and sounds and actions are still in my brain.

Thanks for any help you can give. I do like your website, I found it by way of BING. I think it is very interesting as to the German, lots of Germans settled in America. My father’s ancestors may have come from Austria, as well as Germany, but came to Wisconsin in the 1840’s, met and married, learned English, so they never spoke German at all when we knew them. A grandson, age 12, who has been learning German, took to it immediately, and loves it, as well as Norwegian, so there must be an inherited acclimation to the sound of a language.

Sincerely,

Gloria Koeser Laundrie

Thanks for sharing your song with us Gloria! If anyone can help with the German version and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below.

Cheers!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in 1512, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, German, German Children's Songs, German Nursery Rhymes, Germany, Horse Trotting Rhymes, Languages, Lap Rhymes, Lap Rhymes, Mama Lisa, Nursery Rhymes, Questions, Readers Questions, Rhymes by Theme | 8 Comments »

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 »

A Good Morning Song Featuring African Languages with an MP3

Monday, October 26th, 2009

I woke up this morning with a cup of coffee and by listening to “Good Morning to You” in English, French and some African languages on my computer. What a wonderful way to wake up!

The recording was done by recording a phone call over the internet. Thanks to Nyango Melissa for calling and singing this morning! She made my day! Now you can enjoy her singing too! Just click the mp3 link below and read along with the lyrics. Enjoy!

MP3 of Good Morning to You

Good Morning to You
(In English, French, Hausa, Mbonge & Swahili)

Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
In English, I speak
In English, I speak
Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
In English, in English I speak.

Bonjour Mesdames,
Bonjour Messieurs,
En français, je parle
En français, je parle
Bonjour mesdames, bonjour messieurs
In French, in French I speak.

Salam alekum
Alekum sala
In Hausa, I speak
In Hausa, I speak
Salam alekum
alekum sala
In Hausa, in Hausa I speak.

O-we-li-ni-e
O we li ni e
In Mbonge, I speak
In Mbonge, I speak
O we li ni e
O we li ni e
In Mbonge, in Mbonge I speak.

Hujambo bwana,
Hujambo bibi
In Swahili, I speak
In Swahili, I speak
Hujambo bwana
Hujambo bibi
In Swahili, in Swahili I speak!

It’s the 2nd time we were able to easily use this technology of recording a phone call. If anyone else would like to sing a traditional (non-copyrighted) song for us, or recite a rhyme, please email me at lisa@mamalisa.com for directions.

Nyango has sent us many songs from Cameroon over the past couple of years. It’s great for everyone to finally hear her voice! She recorded 6 songs today. You can find them on the Cameroon Pages at the link just above. They’re the ones with the MP3’s.

Many thanks to Nyango Melissa Nambangi of the Minnesota African Women’s Association for contributing and singing these songs for us!

Mama Lisa

*****

Minnesota African Women’s Association has products available that were stitched by their sewing group. They’re available for purchase online at Etsy. They have beautiful pillows, dolls dressed in traditional and contemporary African fashions, tote bags, hats and more!

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Posted in Cameroon, Cameroonian Children's Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, French, Good Morning Songs, Good Morning to You, Hausa, Languages, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Mbonge, Recordings of Songs, Songs by Theme, Swahili | No Comments »

Laughing is Contagious – A Song from Cameroon with an MP3 Recording

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Nyango M. Nambangi sent us this Cameroonian song from Africa. What’s even better is that we have a recording to go with it!

Nyango wrote: “Here’s a song our mother taught us and her Middle School students. The tune is very British, in my opinion, but I have not been able to find the lyrics or tune or any reference to it anywhere. The end actually gets the listeners laughing!”

MP3 Recording of Laughing is Contagious

Laughing is Contagious

Ha, ha, ha!
Laughing is contagious.
Ha, ha, ha!
And sometimes advantageous.
Ha, ha, ha!
And very careful be
And laugh with caution now.
Ha, ha!

Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha!
ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Ha, ha ha!

This recording is extra special to us because it was done by recording a phone call! It’s the first time we were able to easily use this technology of having someone call and recording them. Also, Nyango have sent us many songs from Cameroon over the past couple of years. It’s great for everyone to finally hear her voice!

If anyone would like to sing a traditional (non-copyrighted) song for us, please email me at lisa@mamalisa.com for directions.

Many thanks to Nyango M. Nambangi of the Minnesota African Women’s Association for contributing and singing this song for us!

Mama Lisa

*****

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Posted in Cameroon, Cameroonian Children's Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Languages, Laughing is Contagious, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Recordings of Songs | 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 »

Can Anyone Help with a Greek Translation of Palamakia (Clap)?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

We received a Greek kids clapping song called Palamakia that we could use a little help with. Below is the Greek text, a transliteration and a rough translation. We’d like to know if the English translation is okay or if it needs to be changed at all…

Greek Text

Παλαμάκια

Παλαμάκια παίξετε
κι ο μπαμπάς του έρχεται
και του φέρνει κάτι τι
κουλουράκια στο χαρτί

Παλαμάκια παίξετε
κι η μανούλα έρχεται
να το πάρει αγκαλιά
το μικρούλι της παιδιά.

Παλαμάκια, παλαμάκια
παίζουν όλα τα παιδάκια
Παλαμάκια και χορό
νταχ ντιρντι και
νταχ ντιρντο

Transliteration

Palamakia

Palamakia Peksete
Kai o babas tou erhete
Kai tou ferni kati ti
Koulourakia sto harti

Palamakia Peksete
Kai i manoula erhete
Kai ta perni agalia
Ta mikroulia tis pethia

Palamakia Palamakia
Pezoun ola ta pethakia
Palamakia kai horo
Tihdidi kai Tihdido

Rough English Translation by Penelope Karagouni (with some editing by me)

Clap

Clap your hands
His dad is coming
To bring him something,
Cookies in a paper-wrapper.

Clap your hands
Mommy is coming
To get the little one
To hug the children!

Clap, clap,
All the children clap
Clapping and dancing
Dah didrdi and dah dirdo.*

*Dah didrdi and dah dirdo’ are sounds only with no meaning.

You can hear part of the rhyme in the 2nd part of the YouTube Video below…

If anyone can help with the translation, or let us know if it’s okay, please let me know in the comments below or by emailing me.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Greece, Greek, Greek Children's Songs, Languages, Mama Lisa, Palamakia - Clapping, Questions | No Comments »

Two French Goodbye Songs with Recordings

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

I was recently asked for a Goodbye Song in French. While looking for a song I found out that some French school teachers use the French version of Auld Lang Syne, “Ce n’est qu’un au revoir”, as a Goodbye Song. It’s a Scout song that’s also called “Le chant des adieux”. When teachers use it as a Goodbye song, they sing the 1st two verses. Here they are in French with an English translation….

Faut-il nous quitter sans espoir
Sans espoir de retour ?
Faut-il nous quitter sans espoir
De nous revoir un jour ?

Refrain
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, mes frères,
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir.
Oui, nous nous reverrons, mes frères,
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir.

Here’s a literal English translation by Monique Palomares…

Must we leave each other without a hope
To see each other again some day
Must we leave each other without a hope
A hope of return

It’s only a goodbye, my brothers
It’s only a goodbye,
Yes, we’ll see each other again, my brothers
It’s only a goodbye.

Here you can hear the whole song…

Another Goodbye Song we have here today was written and sung by Alain Le Lait. It’s in French and English. Sit back and enjoy the song by clicking the MP3 below. You can read along with the lyrics in French and English…

Listen to Alain’s French Goodbye Song

Au revoir
by Alain Le Lait

Au revoir, good bye,
Now it is time for me to go away.
Au revoir, good bye,
But I wish I could stay with you all day.

Thanks for your smiles
And for singing along
I hope to see you again before too long.

Au revoir, good bye,
Il se fait tard et je dois m’en aller
Au revoir, good bye,
Mais j’aimerais rester toute la journée
Pour vos sourires et vos bien jolies voix
Je vous remercie et a une autre fois.

Au revoir, good bye,
Au revoir, good bye,
Au revoir, good bye.

(English Translation of French Verse)

Good bye, good bye
It’s getting late and I must go
Good bye, good bye
But I’d like to stay with you all day
For all your smiles and your pretty voices
I thank you and I’ll see you another time.

The French and English lyrics to this “Au revoir” song are © 1994 Alain Le Lait.

Alain Le Lait is a French native who grew up near Paris, France. He moved to the United States in the 1970s and now lives in Colorado. Alain writes and performs easy to learn children’s songs in French, Spanish and English. Check out his site www.Yadeeda.com to hear samples of his music and to buy his CD’s or mp3’s.

Merci Alain & Monique!

Feel free to share any French Hello or Goodbye songs you know in the comments below.

Mama Lisa

PS Here are some other Hello and Goodbye Songs…

•Two French Goodbye Songs with Recordings

•French Hello Song "Bonjour" with MP3

•Some More Hello and Goodbye Songs with MP3 Recordings

•Hello and Goodbye Songs

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Posted in Boy Scout Songs, Campfire Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, France, French, French Kids Songs, Girl Scout Songs, Goodbye Songs, Hello Songs, Hello and Goodbye Songs, Languages, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Questions, Recordings of Songs, Scouting Songs, Songs by Theme | No Comments »

Can Anyone Help with a Croatian Song that Sounds Like, “Kille killi jakasaka okoama bum”?

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Michael wrote:

Hi Lisa,

We just returned from a vacation in Croatia. We are German and have 3 little girls. They learned a song from a “mini disco”. I hope you can tell me the name of the song.

From what we understood it sounds like this:

Kille killi jakasaka okoama bum (repeats) Olee mal jole…….

Do you know how this song is named and what the lyrics are?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Regards,

Michael Andres

If anyone can help Michael, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Croatia, Croatian, Languages, Mama Lisa, Music, Questions, Readers Questions | 2 Comments »

Can Anyone Help with a Polish Lullaby that Translates as “Sleep My Baby Doll”?

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Theresa wrote:

I am looking for a Polish lullaby my mother used to sing…

Śpij laleczko moja mała, czas na ciebie już, ja cię będę kołysała, a ty oczka zmruz…

This is all I remember.

If anyone has all the words, I would be very grateful.

Theresa

A rough English translation of the above text is: Sleep my little baby doll, it is the time for you now, I will, I will rock, and you close your eyes.

This is the tune to the Polish Lullaby.

If anyone can help Therese with the original text of the lullaby and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

UPDATE:

Here’s the text of a slightly different version of the lullaby, thanks to Agnieszka Magnucka:

ŚPIJ LALECZKO

Pod pierzyną czarnej nocy
W blasku srebrnych gwiazd
Gwiżdże swoje kołysanki
Rozśpiewany wiatr.

Księżyc wplata w warkoczyki
Kolorowe sny
Śpij laleczko moja mała
Śpij córeczko, śpij.

W płatkach herbacianej róży
Calineczka śpi
Nawet przemęczony świerszczyk
Zasnął w trakcie gry.

Wszystkie małe grzeczne dzieci
Już od dawna śpią
Dobra wróżka opowiada
Bajkę którą śnią.

Księżyc wplata w warkoczyki
Kolorowe sny
Śpij laleczko moja mała
Śpij córeczko, śpij.

Agnieszka Magnucka and I came up with this English translation…

SLEEP MY BABY DOLL

Under the blanket of dark night
In the glimmer of silver stars
It is whistling its lullabies…
- Singing wind.

The Moon is braiding in plaits
Colorful dreams
Sleep my baby doll
Sleep my daughter, sleep.

Between the tea rose* leaves
Thumbelina is sleeping
Also some overtired little cricket
Fell asleep while playing.

All the good little children
Are sleeping for so long
The good fairy is telling that story
They are dreaming of.

The moon is braiding in plaits
Colorful dreams
Sleep my baby doll
Sleep my daughter, sleep.

*Tea Rose is called Herbaciana which is a rose with peachy/yellow leaves that sometimes have a little pink or cream in them.

*****

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

PS Thanks so much for your help Agnieszka!

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Languages, Lullabies, Mama Lisa, Poland, Polish, Polish Kids Songs, Polish Lullabies, Questions, Readers Questions | 4 Comments »

Can Anyone Help with a Maori Song that Sounds Like, “Nane paku ana”?

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Sharon wrote:

Hi Lisa,

This is really a shot in the dark, but I’m wondering if you know of a song, which I believe is Maori. A friend of mine taught it to me, but she doesn’t know the translation or anything else about it. I’m wondering if you’ve heard of it, and if so, if you could tell me anything about it – what it means, who sings it, etc, and perhaps the proper words. My best attempt at writing it out is as follows:

Nane paku ana
Nane paku ana
eh eh eh ua
ua ua
ipea ipea ipea
Kuana Kuana Kuana Kuana Kua…Choo!
Kuana Kuana Kuana Kuana Kua…Choo!

It is a rhythmic song with clapping on the off beats.

Does this seem at all familiar?

Thank you so much!

-Sharon

If anyone can help Sharon with the original Maori words to this song and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below. If you have the original text, please email me a copy at lisa@mamalisa.com – so I can make sure the accents show up properly.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Folk Songs, Languages, Mama Lisa, Maori, New Zealand, New Zealand Children's Songs, Questions, Readers Questions | 1 Comment »

Can Someone Help with a Hungarian Lullaby that Sounds Like, “Boulah boulah…”?

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Nicole wrote:

I have been trying to find an old Hungarian lullaby that my grandmother sang to me and I sing to my kids. I do not know what it means and I do not know all the words. The verse is something like:

Boulah boulah, boulah, boulah boopin do ya.

I am sure I am misspelling everything.

Do you know it? Can you help me find the whole song and the meaning?

Thank you,

Nicole

If anyone can help Nicole with the original Hungarian words to this lullaby and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Hungarian, Hungarian Lullabies, Hungary, Languages, Questions, Readers Questions | No Comments »

Chanda Mama – “Moon” Video by Playing for Change

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

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 over the world to make money to build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope. Music and art can have meaning across cultures and be appreciated by people of all economic classes and educational backgrounds. What better way to improve the world!

The lyrics to the Playing for Change version of Chanda Mama (in the video) are something like this…

Chanda maama chanda maama raavayyaa
nannu yettukoni muddulaadu kovayyaa

maaraalu nenenni cesinaa gaaraalu nive cupinaa
maaraalu nenenni cesinaa gaaraalu nive cupinaa

Chanda maama chanda maama raavayyaa
nannu yettukoni muddulaadu kovayyaa

If anyone can help with the meaning of these lyrics (and/or if you can verify or correct the original lyrics), please let us know in the comments below.

We have another version of Chanda Mama which is a Telugu children’s rhyme, with an mp3. You can click the link to hear it and to read the lyrics in Telugu with an English translation.

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Chanda Mama, Chandamaama, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Folk Songs, India, Indian Folk Songs, Indian Nursery Rhymes, Languages, Mama Lisa, Music, Nursery Rhymes, Playing for Change, Telugu, Traditional Music, YouTube | No Comments »

Gracie’s Art

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Gracie has sent me some illustrations to post with songs over the past couple of months. What’s interesting is that she doesn’t send them for specific songs, so I have to find songs or rhymes on Mama Lisa’s World to match them up to. That can be tricky since we have over 2000 pieces! I end up doing a google seach on the subject of the illustration with "Mama Lisa" to find a song on my site that corresponds with its theme.

Here’s one of my favorite drawings Gracie did…

I posted it on a Hungarian children’s song page called Cifra Palota, "Adorned Palace". It’s a circle game. Below are the English lyrics to the song. It’s a little abstract or symbolic (perhaps the rose is the princess and the violet is a prince?)…

Adorned palace,
Its window is green,
Come out you, rose,
The violet is waiting for you.

I am little,
I’ll grow up someday,
Next year or two years hence
I’ll become a big girl.

Here’s another illustration Gracie sent me…

I posted the animal drawing with the song Animal Fair.

I asked Gracie how she creates these illustrations. She wrote, "I like to create art with patterns. Crazy patterns create great compositions. I like to use watercolor and then use a black sharpie to create patterns."

Thanks for sharing your work with us Gracie!

Mama Lisa

Here are links to song pages where there are more illustrations by Gracie:

Comptine pour dessiner (French) – Drawing Rhyme

Sleep, My Child and Peace Attend Thee (English Lullaby)

El barco chiquitito (Spanish) – The Tiny Ship

Barboleta (Portuguese) – Butterfly

Es schneit! Es schneit! (German) – It’s Snowing, It’s Snowing

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Drawing, Illustrations | 2 Comments »

Can Someone Help with a Swedish Kids Song about Being Little Now, But Soon Being as Big as Mama?

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Joyce Johnson wrote:

Does anyone know the Swedish children’s song that goes something like this? (Translation from dictionary is…)

JAG er litten nu , så du se min vän , utom snart I’ll bli så stor så mama.

I believe translates into “I am little now, as you see my friend, but soon I’ll be as big as mama…”

It goes on to say that the child will do the things mama did – cooka, baka, diska… etc.” Does anyone know of this song?

I can’t remember the words but remember the tune very well. Has anyone ever heard this song and do they know the words?

I really want to find this song. My father taught it to my mother and they sang it to us all the time. The family originated in Ostergotland, Sweden.

It seems we never pay enough attention to these things when they are here but yearn for them after they are gone. It is a song for girls and I want to sing it to my granddaughter.

If anyone can help with this song, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Languages, Mama Lisa, Questions, Readers Questions, Sweden, Swedish, Swedish Children's Songs | No Comments »

Japanese Hand Clapping Playground Game

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Here’s a Japanese hand clapping game about making rice cakes. Cool motions!

If anyone would like to send me the Japanese lyrics and/or an English translation, I’d love to add them here. You can add a transliteration or translation in the comments below or email me the Japanese text at lisa@mamalisa.com .

Meanwhile, you can enjoy watching and listening… they repeat it so you can try to learn it by ear.

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Hand Clapping Rhymes, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Kids Songs, Languages, Nursery Rhymes, YouTube | No Comments »

Did You Sing the Rhyme “Rubber Dolly”?

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Ann Marie wrote me looking for information about the “Rubber Dolly” rhyme…

Hi Lisa:

Are you familiar with the rhyme entitled “Rubber Dolly?” It starts out:

My mother told me
If I were goodie
That she would buy me
A rubber dolly . . .

These lyrics pop up in an essay I am working on. Specifically, I need to know if this is an American Clapping Song, a Rhyme, a Jump Rope Song, or . . . something else!

Thank for your time.

Best,

Ann Marie
Cleveland, Ohio

I found information that “Rubber Dolly” was a jump rope rhyme that was popular in the 1950’s.

Here’s a longer version:

My mother told me
If I were goodie
That she would buy me
A rubber dolly.

My auntie* told her,
I kissed a soldier,
Now she won’t buy me
A rubber dolly.

*Or sister

Some kids also did hand clapping games to “Rubber Dolly”. (I think jump rope rhymes and hand clapping rhymes are often interchangeable.) There’s also a fiddle tune based on the melody of the rhyme. Ella Fitzgerald sang a jazz song based on “My Mother Told Me” too.

If anyone grew up with the rhyme, please share your version if it’s different, also let us know if you played any specific game with it.

Thanks in advance!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in American Kids Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Holidays Around the World, Jump Rope Rhymes, Languages, Mama Lisa, Nursery Rhymes, Questions, Rubber Dolly, USA | 7 Comments »

Can Someone Help with the Lap Rhyme, “Run run horsey with your long hair”?

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Karla wrote:

Hi, My name is Karla Wass.

Recently my grandmother has passed, and as a child she would place us (15 grandkids + 10 great grandkids) on her knee and sing to us. Unfortunately, none of us could remember the name and she left so suddenly we were unable to ask her it. I would love to have the lyrics to the song or even some help finding how to sing, well just to know the words that she was saying would be great. She did sing it to us in English, and what i remember is “run run horsey with your long hair, the faster the horsey runs the short goes his hair”. She always said they would sing this while they were sewing.

If you are not able to help i understand, after searching the web and talking with some family members no one can properly sing this song, Her service is next Tuesday and she will be laid to rest with our grand father the following Saturday.

I appreciate and assistance thank you for your time.

If anyone can help Karla, please let us know in the comments below. (Even if it’s after the date of the service, I’m sure Karla will be glad to find the song any time.)

We appreciate it.

Mama Lisa

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Posted in American Nursery Rhymes, Australia, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, English, English Nursery Rhymes, Great Britain, Languages, Mama Lisa, Nursery Rhymes, Questions, Readers Questions, USA | 3 Comments »

Gross, but exceedingly catchy… “Great Green Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts” with a Video!

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

WARNING: It really is CATCHY!!! You might find yourself singing it all day!

Great Green Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts

Great green gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts,
Mutilated monkey meat,
Bloody, little dirty birdie feet,
Great green gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts,
And me without my spoon…

But I brought my straw.

I’d love to learn more versions of this song, please post any versions you know in the comments below!

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in American Kids Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Great Green Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts, Languages, Mama Lisa, USA, YouTube | 2 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 »

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Posts

Cool Cuban Kids Song – Tiene Pinochito – Little Pinocchio

Can Someone Help with a German Lap Rhyme?

Ghost of John – Halloween Song with MP3 Recording

A Good Morning Song Featuring African Languages with an MP3

Laughing is Contagious – A Song from Cameroon with an MP3 Recording

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

Can Anyone Help with a Greek Translation of Palamakia (Clap)?

Two French Goodbye Songs with Recordings

Can Anyone Help with a Croatian Song that Sounds Like, “Kille killi jakasaka okoama bum”?

Can Anyone Help with a Polish Lullaby that Translates as “Sleep My Baby Doll”?

Can Anyone Help with a Maori Song that Sounds Like, “Nane paku ana”?

Can Someone Help with a Hungarian Lullaby that Sounds Like, “Boulah boulah…”?

Chanda Mama – “Moon” Video by Playing for Change

Gracie’s Art

Can Someone Help with a Swedish Kids Song about Being Little Now, But Soon Being as Big as Mama?

Japanese Hand Clapping Playground Game

Did You Sing the Rhyme “Rubber Dolly”?

Can Someone Help with the Lap Rhyme, “Run run horsey with your long hair”?

Gross, but exceedingly catchy… “Great Green Gobs of Greasy, Grimy Gopher Guts” with a Video!

Independence Day in Indonesia with a Song and YouTube Video