Jeff Gilpin sent this lullaby with the following note, "Here is a song I wrote after visiting my wife’s sister in Ayase which is outside of Tokyo, Japan. I think it is very kid friendly and I hope you like it add it to your list of children songs. It is called Ayase Lullaby. Here...

The song "Pussy Willows" used to be taught in schools.  Some people have written to me about it because their grandparents sang it to them as kids.  It’s a sweet little song!  Here are the lyrics to Pussy Willows, with a musical score and midi tune… Midi Tune of Pussy Willows Pussy Willows Pretty pussies down by the...

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...

A Johnny-cake is a small flat cake (akin to a little pancake) made out of cornmeal, water and salt. They were widely eaten in the U.S. in the 19th century.  Johnny-cakes are called hoecakes in the South. The folk tale "Johnny-cake" is almost the same story as "The Gingerbread Man" except that a Johnny-cake is the...

How the Finch Got Her Colors is a Flemish legend. Below you can listen to it in English and read along with the tale… MP3 of How The Finch Got Her Colors How The Finch Got Her Colors A Flemish Legend There was once a time when all the birds were gray and...

Wandrers Nachtlied is the title of two different poems written by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  The 2nd poem was written in 1780.  This is the one we’re featuring here.  It’s considered by many to be the most beautiful poem in the German language. Here you can read the original poem and listen to...

"Little Snowflake" is a poem about Christmas by Hannah More Kahaus (1745-1833).  You can listen to an mp3 recording of it below and read along with the poem. MP3 of Little Snowflake Little Snowflake Little snow-flake, soft and white, Drops down in the silent night ; ...

A part alatt (By the Shore) is a well-known Hungarian children’s song.  Jack, a Hungarian schoolteacher, called it "a pearl of our childhood".  Here you can listen to an mp3 recording of the song as sung by Kállay Maris (pictured in the photo).  You can read along with the Hungarian lyrics followed by an English...

This French song about a church bell ringer is amusing! I guess it’s because we’ve all been in the situation where someone around us was making noise that we had no control over.  Below you can listen to the mp3 recording of the song, read the original French lyrics along with an English translation… MP3 of...

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...

Fedia Bean was kind enough to share her recording of the well-loved Haitian lullaby, “Dodo ti pitit manman” (Sleep Little Baby).  It’s interesting to note that lullabies around the world often have something a little scary to “threaten’” kids with if they don’t go to sleep.  In this lullaby it’s a crab that will eat...

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...

The French Song, Alphabet des Scouts (Scouts Alphabet) is perfect to help you learn how to pronounce the names of the letters in French.  You can hear it at the link above and read along with the French lyrics.  There are also English and Spanish translations of the song. Enjoy! Mama Lisa

Where the Bee Sucks is from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.  In the play, it’s sung by the fairy spirit Ariel.  You can read this lovely song below and listen along to two different renditions of it – one recited, the other sung. Where The Bee Sucks (Shakespeare) Where the bee sucks, there suck I: In a cowslip’s bell...

We just added a song from Guinea, Africa.  It’s called Tue Tue Mareema and includes a lovely recording by Abi.  Check it out!

Here’s a song called "Brother Come and Dance with Me" from a Librivox rendition of Hansel and Gretel.  You can replace "brother" with "children" (or a child’s name).  This little song and dance can help children learn coordination and how to distinguish left from right. MP3 of Brother Come and Dance with Me ...

Here’s a pretty little song called Good Morning, Merry Sunshine from a Librivox rendition of Little Red Riding Hood… MP3 Recording of Good Morning, Merry Sunshine Good Morning, Merry Sunshine Good morning, merry sunshine, How did you come so soon? You chase the little stars away And shine away the moon. I saw you go to sleep last night...

At the End of the Feast is an "End of Christmas" Carol from England lamenting the end of holiday festivities.  I find it to be humorous! This song is also called A Carol for the 12th Day and was first printed in New Christmas Carols in 1642.  It can also be found in Notes and Queries...

The Coventry Carol dates back to 16th century England.  It was originally part of a play that was performed in Coventry.  The rest of the play has been lost, but this song was so memorable that people kept singing it. The story behind the song comes from The Gospel of Mathew in the Bible.  It’s the...

Nyango M. Nambangi sent us this Cameroonian song from her childhood in Africa. It’s a lovely song to sing with children and they can even dance while singing! Like many African songs, it’s a call and response song.  In the recording below, Nyango explains how to sing and dance to the song.  Then she sings...