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or French Translations
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Archive for the 'Midis' Category
Contents
A Catalan Christmas Carol called “Fum fum fum – A vint-i-cinq de desembre” (On the 25th of December)
A French Lullaby called “Dodo, l’enfant do” in French with an English Translation and the Midi Music
Posts
Can Anyone Help with an Italian Song that Starts, “Cinque e cinquanta” to the tune of “Giro Giro Tondo”?
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Nicholas emailed me asking for help with an Italian song…
My grandmother used to sing me a song, and I learned it but don’t know the correct words. It goes to the melody of Giro Giro Tondo. When I first heard Giro Giro Tondo, I thought perhaps it was another verse to my grandmother’s song which, as I remember it, (and not knowing if the words even make sense) goes:
Cinque e cinquanta,
Michallina canta,
La se la canta,
Case vuole marita.If anyone knows if this is part of a larger nursery rhyme or song, please let me know.
Nicholas G. Licata
If anyone can also help Nicholas with the words to his song and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below.
Thanks in advance!
Mama Lisa
Danish Kids Songs Sites plus a Danish Children’s Song
Thursday, February 19th, 2009Richard wrote to me recommending a Danish kids song site…
Hi
On this web page Rimogremser.dk there are several Danish kids songs with midi files.
Thanks for a good a good web-site ;)
Best regards
Richard
Thanks for the recommendation Richard. The site is nice! It has cool line drawings to go with most of the songs and tunes – though no English translations.
I picked one of the songs on the site that’s in the public domain (possibly 100 years+ old) and tried my hand at translating it. Below you’ll find the lyrics in Danish, the illustration from the site, a link to the midi and my translation…
Når vi sejler op og ned
Når vi sejler op og ned,
ser vi fisken svømme.
Ære, være, du er min.
Lise, Lise, hvor vi elsker dig.Når vi sejler op og ned,
ser vi fisken svømme.
Ære, være, du er min
Michael, Michael, hvor vi hader dig.Midi of Når vi sejler op og ned
Rough English Translation:
When we sail up and down,
We see the fish swim.
Glory, be, you are mine,
Lisa, Lisa, we love you.When we sail up and down,
We see the fish swim.
Glory, be, you are mine,
Michael, Michael, we hate you.I welcome improvements to my translation!
I searched around some more and found another nice Danish site called Dansk Folkemindesamling (the link here is for the kids song section of the site). This one had a different version of the same song (also in Danish only). This one also had a Quicktime recording of children singing it. It’s where I learned that the song goes back to at least 1900. It’s a circle game. One goes “swimming” under the “circles” raised arms. At the end of each verse one joins the circle. One joins them to walk around so that together they form a chain which gets longer and longer.
Here’s the second version of the song…
1 Når vi sejler op og ned
så ser vi fisken svømme
ære være vi er her
for Mia, Mia hvem elsker du?2 Når vi sejler op og ned
så ser vi fisken svømme
ære være vi er her
for Per, Per hvem elsker du?3 Når vi sejler op og ned
så ser vi fisken svømme
ære være vi er her
for Ebbe, Ebbe hvem elsker du?This version is friendlier. Here’s the English translation I came up with:
1 When we sail up and down,
We see the fish swim.
We are honored to be here
For Mia, Mia, who loves you?2 When we sail up and down,
We see the fish swim.
We are honored to be here
For Per, Per, Who loves you?3 When we sail up and down,
We see the fish swim.
We are honored to be here
For Ebbe, Ebbe, Who loves you?Once again, I welcome improvements to my translation!
Mama Lisa’s World also has some Danish kids songs with English, French and Spanish translations and midis. We always welcome more songs if anyone would like to contribute any and also if anyone would like to sing any for us… Feel free to comment below or email me!
Mama Lisa
A Nice Version of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in Spanish
Friday, October 10th, 2008I just learned this Spanish version of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. It’s called Vamos a remar en un botecito (Let’s Go Rowing in a Little Boat). Below you’ll find it in Spanish, with an English translation and the midi tune.
Listen to the Tune to Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Vamos a remar en un botecito
(Spanish)Vamos a remar,
en un botecito,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
en un botecito.Vamos a volar,
en un avioncito,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
en un avioncito.Vamos a pasear,
en un cochecito,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
rápido,
en un cochecito.Let’s Go Rowing in a Little Boat
(English Translation)Let’s go rowing,
In a little boat,
Rapidly,
Rapidly
Rapidly,
Rapidly,
In a little boat.Let’s go flying
In a little plane
Rapidly,
Rapidly
Rapidly,
Rapidly,
In a little plane.Let’s go driving
In a little car
Rapidly,
Rapidly
Rapidly,
Rapidly,
In a little car.Many thanks to Andrea Giráldez for sending us this song. If anyone would like to sing it for us, please email me.
Visit the Vamos a remar en un botecito song page for the French Translation of this song.
Mama Lisa
Multicultural Songs about the Seasons
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008People often write me looking for songs about the four seasons, from around the world. Here are some! The links below take you to the different pages on Mama Lisa’s World of International Childrens Songs. There, you’ll find the lyrics in the original languages, with English translations.
Songs about Winter
Yuki (Snow) – Japanese
A, a, a, der Winter, der ist da (A, a, a, Winter is Here) – German
La neige tombe (The Snow is Falling) – French from Canada
Zemestoon (Winter) – Persian from Iran
Kış (Winter) – Turkish from TurkeySongs about Spring
La Primavera (Springtime) – Spanish from Peru
Haru Ga Kita (Spring Has Come) – Japanese
De Colores (All the Colors) – Spanish from Mexico & SpainSongs about Summer
Trarira, der Sommer, der ist da! (Tilitum, The Summer Has Come) – German
Songs about Autumn or Fall
Couleurs d’automne (Colors of Autumn) – French
Songs or Rhymes about All Four SeasonsJoereszäiten (Seasons) – Franconian from Lorraine Region in France
Les feuilles (Leaves) – French from CanadaWhen you get to the song pages you can access French and Spanish translations too, and in some cases mp3 recordings, midis and/or scores.
Feel free to add a song about any of the seasons in the comments below or email me.
Mama Lisa
Lyrics – in Search of Tunes
Sunday, January 6th, 2008Becky Lovgren wrote to me looking for the tunes to several songs and rhymes from her childhood. She sent me so many songs and rhymes with such great lyrics that I thought you might like to read them here. I inserted some info about some of the songs in the middle of Becky’s letter to give an indication of where and when the song or rhyme comes from when I was able to find it out. My comments are in parentheses. Here’s Becky’s letter with the songs…
So excited to find your website! My Grandmother used to sing many songs to “us kids” in Minnesota as we were growing up during the 1950’s. In her wisdom before her death, she wrote down the lyrics but I’m not able to recall the tunes that went with them and would appreciate any assistance so I can share them with our grandchildren.
Here are the verses as my Grandma Hatling remembered them:
Twenty Froggies
(by George Cooper)Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushing pool
Twenty little coats of green
Twenty vests so white and clean
We must go to school said they
First we study then we play
That is how we keep the rule
When we froggies go to school.Master Bull Frog brave and stern
Called the classes in their turn
Taught them how to nobly strive
Also how to leap and dive
Not one dunce among the lot
Not one lesson they forgot
Now they sit on other logs
Teaching other little frogs.(The Little Bird is an old English nursery rhyme, dating back to at least 1823. -Mama Lisa)
The Little Bird
Once I saw a little bird coming hop, hop, hop,
And I said “Little bird will you stop, stop, stop?”
I was going to the window to say “How do you do?”
But he shook his little tail and away he flew.(Birdie with the Yellow Bill is a slight variation of a Robert Louis Stevenson poem. I wonder if Becky’s grandmother put it to a tune she made up herself or if there was a tune from a more “official” source that existed. -Mama Lisa)
Birdie with the Yellow BillBirdie with the yellow bill,
Hopped upon my window sill,
Cocked his pretty head and said,
“Ain’t you ’shamed you sleepy-head”?The Cricket
My grandpas’ getting old and gray,
But he has such a merry way,
He always says the cricket says cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up!
He always says the cricket says cheer up, cheer up!My grandpa says that half the things
We do fret over would take wings
If we could hear the song he sings – cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up!
He always says the cricket says cheer up, cheer up!(Jacky Frost may originally come from a poem by Laura E. Richards – though I haven’t been able to confirm this. -Mama Lisa)
Jacky Frost
Jacky Frost, Jacky Frost,
Came in the night
Left the meadows that he crossed
All gleaming white.
Painted with his silver brush
Every window pane,
Kissed the leaves and made them blush,
Blush, blush, and blush again.Jacky Frost, Jacky Frost,
Crept ’round the house,
Sly as a silver fox
Still as a mouse.
Out our little Jennie came
Blushing like a rose,
Up jumped Jacky Frost
And pinched her little nose.The Sandman
Here comes the Sandman
Stepping so lightly
Skipping along on the tips of his toes
As he scatters the sand
With his own little hand
In the eyes of the sleepy children.Close your sleepy eyes
The Lady Moon is sailing
Across the deep blue skies
The little stars are peeping
To see if you are sleeping
Go to sleep my children
Go to sleep, Good Night.Good Morning Merry Sunshine
Good Morning Merry Sunshine
What makes you wake so soon?
You scared away the little stars
And shone away the moon.
I saw you go to sleep last night
Before I ceased my play
I saw you go ‘way over there
And where have you been staying?I never go to sleep dear child
I just go ’round to see
The little children of the
East awake and watch for me.
I waken all the birds and bees
And flowers on my way,
And last of all the little
Child who stayed out late to play.Grandpapa and Me
Last night when I was snug in bed,
What joy it was for me,
I dreamed that I was grandpapa
And grandpapa was me,
And grandpapa was me,
And grandpapa was me,
I dreamed that I was grandpapa
And grandpapa was me.As I went walking down the street
And he ran by my side,
Because I walked too fast for him
The little fellow cried,
The little fellow cried,
The little fellow cried,
Because I walked too fast for him
The little fellow cried.My Little Yellow Duck
I have a little yellow duck,
He says, “quack, quack”.
I love to see the yellow down
He wears upon his back,
But when he walks he waddles so
He really makes me laugh you know.
He waddles up and down outdoors,
And says, “quack, quack”.My funny little yellow duck
Goes swimming every day,
And why he likes the water so
I really cannot say.
He does not go in when the rain
Goes splashing on the window pane,
He waddles up and down outdoors,
And says, “quack, quack”.The Little Shoemaker
There’s a little wee man
In a little wee house
Lives over the way you see
And he sits by the fire
And sews all day
Making shoes for you and me.CHORUS:
A rap-a-tap-a-tap
A rap-a-tap-a-tap
Hear his hammers tit tat tee
A rap-a-tap-a-tap
A rap-a-tap-a-tap
Making shoes for you and me.He puts his needle in and out
His thread flies to and fro
With a tiny awl he bores a hole
With his hammers whistling blows.(The Little Mouse comes from a poem by Phoebe Cary called They Didn’t Think. -Mama Lisa)
The Little MouseOnce a trap was baited
With a little piece of cheese.
It tickled so a little mouse,
It almost made him sneeze.
The old mouse said, “There’s danger,
Be careful where you go.”
“Nonsense” said the other,
“Don’t you think I know?”
So he walked in boldly,
No one was in sight.
First he took a nibble,
Then he took a bite.
The trap together snapped
As quick as a wink,
Leaving little mouse inside,
Because he wouldn’t think.We’d just like to find a tune to go with the music. Either midi tunes or sheet music would be great. Our folks have always enjoyed “us kids” singing their memories to them – this would be fabulous; a real special present. Thank you.
Becky (Zeise) Lovgren
Kim & Becky LovgrenIf anyone can help with these tunes, or if you can give us more information about these songs and poems, please comment below or email me.
Thanks in advance!
-Mama Lisa
Does Anyone Know the Lyrics to an Austrian Tune called the “Song of the Three Holy Kings”?
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008Ed Gawlinski wrote:
I found among my music an Austrian folk song called “Song of the Three Holy Kings”… but I don’t have the words either in German or English to this. It sounds like a very nice tune. Perhaps someone might recognize it and provide the words.
Ed
Here’s the tune Ed sent me:
If anyone can help out with the original lyrics to this song and/or an English translation, please comment below.
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
How to Find Sheet Music, Tunes and MP3’s on Mama Lisa’s World
Saturday, January 6th, 2007In addition to this blog, I also host Mama Lisa’s World. Mama Lisa’s World is a large collection of children’s songs and rhymes from countries all around the globe.
Matt, a music teacher from Rhode Island, wrote a question to me, the other day, about Mama Lisa’s World:
Hey Mama,
I love the concept of your site. It’s been exciting to watch it grow. My only frustration is not being able to find either written (preferably) or audio music to accompany the lyrics. How do I find the tunes for all these great lyrics?
Matt
Music Teacher, Rhode Island, USAHere’s what I wrote back, I’m sharing it with you, in case it helps you too…
Hey Matt,
Thanks for writing!
We’ve just added basic sheet music to a lot of songs on the Germany, France, Hungary, Spain and Mexico pages – plus many others.
We’re now in the process of converting the whole site to a database. We’re halfway through. Hopefully by the summer we’ll have a feature that will let you do a search on songs that have sheet music, midis or mp3’s. Midis play the tune of a song. MP3’s are recordings – usually of someone singing the song.
But for now, the songs on the countries that are in the database are working on a simple system. On the country pages they have symbols next to the song if they have special features. Here’s the key…
KEY TO SYMBOLS
– this song has sheet music
Midi – this song has a Midi tune
MP3 – this song has an MP3 recording
– this song has a Video recording
If there’s anything in particular you’re looking for, you’re welcome to ask – in case I know if we have it or not – I may be able to guide you to the right place to find what you’re looking for.
And, of course, we’re always looking for more sheet music, midi’s and mp3’s, so if you’d like to contribute any from your culture, we’d be thrilled!
I hope this helps!
Mama Lisa
Mama Lisa’s World News and Multimedia Features
Thursday, November 30th, 2006A significant part of the Mama Lisa sites is a large collection of songs and nursery rhymes from around the world. We currently have about 750 songs from around 90 countries and cultures.
When you consider how many languages there are in those cultures – that’s a lot of information! In order to make it easier to access all of the songs, we are in the process of converting the sites to a database. The database allow our visitors to search for songs on the site by language, by songs with sheet music, recordings, etc.
While we’re putting the songs into the database, we’re trying to obtain as much information as possible about each song. So if we can find the tune, we’ll include a midi tune and sheet music. If we find a recording of the song on the internet, we’ll provide a link to the recording. Sometimes we’ll make a recording ourselves. Anything we can do to help you know everything possible about that song.
If you happen to see any songs on the site that are missing a tune or recording and you know it, we’d be very pleased if you could help us get the tune. We’re able to make midis from sheet music, if that’s what you can send. We’re also happy to post recordings if you’d like to sing the song, play it on an instrument, or even hum it. Really, anything to help others get an idea how to sing or play the song.
Once the database is complete Mama Lisa’s World will have 98 countries and cultures and over 850 songs. How great is that!
-Lisa
UPDATE: The Database is now complete! We have 100 countries and cultures. We’re now working on a Spanish version of Mama Lisa’s World which will feature children’s songs, folks songs and nursery rhymes from around the world with Spanish translations.
Candlemas and Crêpes… a Recipe and a Song
Tuesday, January 31st, 2006In yesterday’s blog entry, I talked about the importance of crêpes for Candlemas (Groundhog Day in the U.S.) I also gave the lyrics to a French song about Candlemas.
Here’s another song from France about eating crêpes, in French, with an English translation, and a midi. After that you’ll find a recipe for making basic crêpes, with a couple of suggestions about what to fill them with.
A Midi of Quand on fait des crêp’s chez nous – When We Make Crêpes at Our House
Quand on fait des crêp’s chez nous
Quand on fait des crêp’s chez nous, ma mèr’ vous invite
Quand on fait des crêp’s chez nous, ell’ vous invite tous
Un’ pour toi, un’ pour moi, un’ pour mon p’tit frèr’ François
Un’ pour toi, un’ pour moi, un’ pour tous les trois.When We Make Crêpes at Our House
When we make crêpes at our house, my mom invites you
When we make crêpes at our house, she invites you all
One for you, one for me, one for my little brother Francois
One for you, one for me, one for all three of us.Here’s a basic recipe for crêpes…
Basic Crêpe Recipe (makes about 8 crepes)
1 c. Flour*
2 Eggs
1 ¼ c. Milk
2 T. Butter, Melted (unsalted butter can be used for dessert crêpes)
¼ t. Salt for dinner crêpes (only a pinch of salt for dessert crêpes)
1 T. Sugar (for dessert crêpes only)
Butter or oil for cooking*For Buckwheat crêpes use ½ c. flour and ½ c. buckwheat flour instead of 1 c. flour
You can either mix all ingredients in a blender, food processor or with a whisk till smooth. It’s best to let the batter sit for ½ hour before cooking. You can add a little more milk or a little water if you find the batter is too thick.
Use a skillet that’s about 6 – 8″ in diameter. (I used an 8″ pan and got 8 fairly large crêpes.) Put about ½ to 1 teaspoon of butter in the bottom of the pan, enough to coat it. Melt on medium high heat.
Pour in about 2-3 T. batter and tilt or gently swirl the pan so that the batter covers the whole bottom of the skillet. Cook on one side until golden brown. Flip. Cook the other side till it starts to become golden, which should happen quickly, and remove from heat. Repeat this process until you’ve used all the batter.
If you’re going to store the crêpes in the fridge, you can put wax paper between them to keep them from sticking together .
Btw – Most people end up throwing out the first crêpe or two the first time they make them.
Here are some different ways to fold the crêpes…
(Always put the better-looking side of the crêpe on the outside.)1) Rolled – Put filling on one end of the crêpe and roll it up, sort of like a cigar. (You may eat them this way by hand – usually good with a thin filling.)
2) Folded in Half – Put filling on one side and fold over in half (usually eaten with a fork)
3) Folded in Threes – Put filling in middle of crêpe, fold the left third side over and then the right side over. (Usually eaten with a fork.)
4) Folded in Fours – Just like folding in threes, but then also fold over the bottom and top (can be eaten by hand.)
5) Folded as a Triangle – Put filling on half of crêpe and fold the crêpe over in half, then fold in half again.
6) Layered – Put filling on whole crêpe, put another crêpe on top – you can keep layering as long as you want! This would usually be done with thinner fillings.
7) Folded like a Burrito – Put filling in middle, fold over two opposite ends about 1 inch, and roll over the crêpe starting at the side, till it’s completly rolled up.Here are Some Ideas for Crêpe Fillings:
Savory Crêpes (or Dinner Crêpes)
Ham and Gruyere or Swiss Cheese Crêpes – Cube ham and fry, place in crêpe with shredded cheese and place in warm oven, at 300 F, to melt. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Cover if needed to prevent the crêpes from drying out. (A variation is to make this with chopped tomatoes.)
Mushrooms and Swiss Cheese – Sautee mushrooms in a little butter. Place in crêpe and top with cheese. Fold crepe and place in warm oven, at 300 F, to melt cheese. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Cover if needed to prevent the crêpes from drying out. (A variation is to make this with chopped tomatoes.)
Spinach and Goat Cheese – Sautee spinach. Spread goat cheese on crêpe, top with spinach and fold.
***
Dessert Crêpes (some of these could be good for breakfast too!)
Apple Cinnamon and Walnut Crêpes – Sautee chopped apples and walnuts in a little butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Scoop mixture onto crêpe and fold.
Lemon and Powered Sugar Crêpes – Sprinkle confectioners sugar on crêpe and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on top. Fold and eat!
Your Favorite Jam Crêpes – Simply smear the crêpe with jelly, fold over or roll and top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Nutella and Whipped Cream Crêpe – Spread nutella on crêpe, top with a dollop of whipped cream and fold up.
Banana and Nutella Crêpes – Spread nutella on crepe, and top with thinly sliced bananas. Fold crêpe and enjoy!
Sugared Crêpes – Sprinkle crêpe with sugar and fold or roll up. These work well if you want to eat them by hand.
Ice Cream Crêpe – Put vanilla ice cream on crêpe, some hot chocolate syrup and whipped cream and fold it up.
Hot Fudge and Strawberry Crêpes – Clean and slice strawberries and place on crêpe, cover with hot fudge and a dollop of whip cream. Fold and enjoy!
You can see that your imagination is the only limit when it comes to making crêpes!
Bon Appétit!
Lisa
Many thanks to Monique of Mama Lisa’s World en français for sending me the song, the midi, for help with the translation and for some delicious suggestions for crêpe fillings!
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World France page for more French children’s songs with their English translations and…
Mama Lisa’s World en français for children’s songs around the world with their French translations.
Crêpes and Candlemas in France
Monday, January 30th, 2006In France, Candlemas is called the Fête de la Chandeleur or Feast of Candlemas.
Pancakes and crêpes are an important aspect of Candlemas. First, both resemble the sun, which everyone is sorely missing at this exact halfway point of winter. Also, it is said that Pope Gelasius I, who introduced Candlemas into the Catholic Church, often gave crêpes to people who made the pilgrimage to Rome.
The French have many proverbs about eating crêpes on Candlemas. Here are some of them…
(I’m using crêpes and pancakes interchangeably)
Manger des crêpes à la chandeleur
Apporte un an de bonheur.Eat crêpes on Candlemas
And have a year of happiness.***
Il faut faire sauter les crêpes avec une pièce dans la main
Afin de s’assurer prospérité toute l’année.You must flip the crêpes with a coin in your hand
In order to ensure prosperity all year long.***
Celui qui retourne sa crêpe avec adresse,
Qui ne laisse pas tomber à terre,
Celui-là aura du bonheur
Jusqu’à la Chandeleur prochaine.Whoever turns over his pancake with skill,
Who doesn’t let it fall to the floor,
That one will have happiness
Until the next Candlemas.***
Here’s a French song for Candlemas, in French and with an English translation…
In French…
La veille de la Chandeleur
La veille de la Chandeleur
L’hiver se passe ou prend rigueur
Si tu sais bien tenir la poêle
A toi l’argent en quantité
Mais gare à la mauvaise étoile
Si tu mets la crêpe à côté.In English…
The day before Candlemas
The day before Candlemas
Winter passes, or gets stronger.
If you know how to hold the frying pan,
To you, lots of money.
But you’ll be under an unlucky star
If the pancake misses the mark.Enjoy your pancakes!
Lisa
***
Many thanks to Monique of Mama Lisa’s World en français for pointing out the tradition of eating pancakes in France on Candlemas.Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World France page for more French children’s songs with their English translations and…
Mama Lisa’s World en français for children’s songs around the world with their French translations.
A Catalan Christmas Carol called “Fum fum fum – A vint-i-cinq de desembre” (On the 25th of December)
Tuesday, December 20th, 2005This Catalan Carol, sometimes called Fum Fum Fum, is thought to have been written in the 16th or 17th century. There’s a version that’s very popular in the Spanish speaking world too. Here’s an English version, followed by the original Catalan lyrics, with a midi.
On the Twenty-fifth of December
(English)On the twenty-fifth of December
Fum, fum, fum
A little baby was born
Blond and pale
Son of Virgin Mary
Was born in a cowshed
Fum, fum fumThere, at the top of the mountain
Fum, fum, fum
There are two little shepherds
Well bundled up, well bundled up
In a skin and a cloak
They’re eating eggs and sausage
Fum fum fumOvernight, the sun goes out
Fum fum fum
They see the glowing angel
Who tells them:
Now was born, in a cowshed
The Infant God, son of Mary
Fum, fum, fumOn the twenty-fifth of December
Fum fum fum
Is Christmas day
Very important
When morning mass is over
We’ll eat very nice food
Fum fum fumMay God give us some holy celebrations
Fum fum fum
Be it cold, be it hot
It’ll be best, it’ll be best
Let’s make Jesus a great celebration
So he’ll want to give us Glory
Fum fum fumMidi of A vint-i-cinq de desembre – Fum Fum Fum
A vint-i-cinq de desembre
(Catalan)A vint-i-cinq de desembre
Fum, fum, fum
A nascut un minyonet
Ros i blanquet, ros i blanquet
Fill de la Verge Maria
N’és nat en una establia
Fum fum fum.Aquí a dalt de la muntanya
Fum, fum, fum
Si n’hi ha dos pastorets
Abrigadets, abrigadets
Amb la pell i la samarra
Mengen ous i botifara.
Fum, fum, fumNit enllà el sol desperta
Fum, fum, fum
Veuen l’angel resplendent
Que els va dient :
Ara es nat a l’establia
Deu infant fill de Maria
Fum, fum, fumA vint-i-cinc de desembre
Fum, fum, fum
És el dia de Nadal
Molt principal
En sortint de les Maitines
Menjarem cosetas finas
Fum, fum, fumDéu nos dó unes santes festes
Fum, fum, fum
Faci fred faci calor
Serà el millor, serà el millor
De Jesús fem gran memòria
Perqué ens vulgui dar la Glòria
Fum, fum, fumIt seems that “Fum, fum, fum” is imitating either the sound of strumming on a guitar or the beating on a drum.
Many thanks to Monique Palomares at Mama Lisa’s World en français for sending me the lyrics to Fum Fum Fum and for the English translation.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Catalan Page for more Catalan Children’s Songs
“O Tannenbaum – O Christmas Tree” in German, English and French with a midi and an mp3
Tuesday, December 6th, 2005O Tannenbaum, the beloved Christmas song, originated in Germany. Versions were sung there as early as the 1500’s, but the current form developed in the 1800’s.
From Germany, the song spread around Europe and to the United States.
Here are several different versions:
First, O Tannenbaum in German.
Then, since the actual German words are a little different than the way they’re sung in the US, in the song O Christmas Tree, I’ve provided a literal English translation of O Tannenbaum.
That’s followed by O Tannenbaum in French, called Mon beau sapin.
And, finally, the best known English version of O Tannenbaum, called O Christmas Tree.
For everyone who’d like to hear the tune, here’s a
Midi of O Tannenbaum – O Christmas TreeIf you’d like to hear O, Tannenbaum in German, here’s an
MP3 of O Tannenbaum Sung in German,
as sung by Nebe Quartett, and recorded by Thomas Edison a long time ago!O Tannenbaum
(German)O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Wie grün sind deine Blätter!O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat schon zur Winterszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Mut (Trost) und Kraft zu jeder Zeit!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren*****
O Fir Tree
(Literal English Translation of O Tannenbaum)O fir tree, o fir tree
How true are your leaves
You don’t only turn green in summertime
But also in winter, when it snows
O fir tree, o fir tree
How true are your leavesO fir tree, o fir tree
Much pleasure can you bring me
How often, in winter, a tree of your kind
Has already rejoiced me
O fir tree, o fir tree
Much pleasure can you bring meO fir tree, o fir tree
Your dress wants to teach me
The hope and the stability
Give courage (comfort) and energy for all time
O fir tree, o fir tree
Your dress wants to teach me*****
Mon beau sapin
(French Version of O Tannenbaum)Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts
Que j’aime ta verdure!
Quand, par l’hiver, bois et guérets
Sont dépouillés de leurs attraits
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts
Tu gardes ta parure.Toi que Noël planta chez nous
Au saint anniversaire!
Comme ils sont beaux, comme ils sont doux
Et tes bonbons et tes joujoux!
Toi que Noël planta chez nous
Tout brillant de lumière.Mon beau sapin tes verts sommets
Et leur fidèle ombrage
De la foi qui ne ment jamais
De la constance et de la paix,
Mon beau sapin tes verts sommets
M’offrent la douce image.*****
O Christmas Tree
(English)O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
For every year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!Many thanks to Monique Palomares for the German and French versions of O Tannenbaum, for the literal English translation and for the midi.
Come visit Mama Lisa’s Holiday Song Page for more holiday songs from around the world.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Germany Page for German Children’s Songs and…
The Mama Lisa’s World France Page for French Children’s Songs with their English translations and…
Mama Lisa’s World en français for Children’s Songs from Around the World with their French translations.
I hope you see some beautiful Christmas trees this holiday season!
-Lisa
Two German Lantern Songs, with a midi, for St. Martin’s Day
Tuesday, November 8th, 2005On St. Martin’s Day in Germany, November 11th, children parade at night carrying lanterns. Sometimes the parade ends with a bonfire. Kids often go door to door caroling and receiving treats or money. People also eat goose and Wechmann (a sweet bread in the shape of a gingerbread man).
Here are two songs children sing in Germany for St. Martin’s Day, each in German and with an English translation…
Laterne, Laterne
(German)Laterne, Laterne
Sonne, Mond und Sterne
Brenne auf, mein Licht,
Brenne auf, mein Licht
Aber nur meine liebe Laterne nicht.Here’s the English translation for Laterne, Laterne…
Lantern, Lantern
Lantern, Lantern,
Sun, moon and stars,
Burn, my light,
Burn, my light,
But not only the light of my dear lantern.The midi music for Laterne, Laterne
Here’s another German Lantern Song for St. Martin’s Day.
Ich geh mit meiner Laterne
Ich geh mit meiner Laterne
Und meine Laterne mit mir.
Dort oben leuchten die Sterne
Und unten leuchten wir.
Mein Licht ist aus,
Ich geh nach Haus,
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum
Here’s the English translation of Ich geh mit meiner LaterneI Walk with My Lantern
I walk with my lantern,
And my lantern with me.
There above, the stars shine,
And we shine here below.
My light is off,
I go home,
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.Many thanks to Ulrike Bernhard for contributing this song, to Maguy Cabrol and Monique Palomares for the translation from German and to Monique Palomares for creating the midi music . Vielen Dank!
My entry about The History and Traditions of St. Martin’s Day.
A legend and a song about St. Martin in Northern France
Belgian songs sung on St. Martin’s Day, plus about how St. Martin’s Day is like Christmas in parts of Belgium.
And here’s a Recipe for Wechmann (Gingerbread Man Bread).
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s German page for more German children’s songs with their English translations
And
The Mama Lisa’s World en français German page for German Kids’ Songs with their French Translations
Spanish Song that can be used for Thanksgiving – “To the Turkey, Little Turkey”
Tuesday, November 8th, 2005Here’s a Spanish song about a turkey called Al pavo pavito, with the midi music and an English translation…
Al pavo pavito
(Spanish)Al pavo pavito pavo
Al pavo pavito sí,
El pavito se ha marchado
Y el pavito ya está aquí!Here’s an English translation…
To the Turkey, Little Turkey
To the turkey, little turkey, turkey,
To the turkey little turkey, yes.
The little turkey went away
And the little turkey is here now!Many thanks to Cleofé García González for contributing this song and to Monique Palomares for the translation and the midi music. ¡Muchas Gracias!
Come visit Mama Lisa’s Thanksgiving Pages for more Thanksgiving Songs, Poems, Nursery Rhymes and Recipes.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Spain page for more Spanish children’s songs with English translations
And…
The Spain page at Mama Lisa’s World en français for Spanish kids songs with their French translations.
Yesterday Evening I Went Out – A German Children’s Song
Tuesday, October 11th, 2005About a conversation between a rabbit and his possible hunter…
Here’s a German kids song called Yesterday Evening I Went Out, in German, Gestern abend ging ich aus, with it’s English translation and the midi music…
Yesterday Evening, I Went Out
Yesterday evening, I went out
I went to the forest
A little rabbit sat in a bush
He watched me with his little eyes
The little rabbit came near to me
So he could tell me this…Aren’t you the hunter
Who hunts me down with his dogs?
When the wind game catches me,
Hunter, have you caught me?
When I think of my fate,
My heart aches straight away!Poor little rabbit, you are so pale!
Don’t go on the peasant’s grass,
Don’t go in the peasant’ s cabbage patch
Or else you pay for it with your skin,
You can spare yourself much misery and pain,
You can be a happy rabbit!Here’s the original German version…
Gestern abend ging ich aus
Gestern abend ging ich aus,
Ging wohl in den Wald hinaus ;
Saß ein Häslein in dem Strauch,
Guckt mit seinen Äuglein ‘raus,
Kommt das Häslein dicht heran,
Daß mir’s was erzählen kann.“Bist du nicht der Jägersmann,
hetzt auf mich die Hunde an ?
wenn dein Windspiel mich ertappt,
hast du, Jäger, mich geschnappt
wenn ich an mein Schicksal denk’,
ich mich rect von Herzen kränk’.”Armes Häslein, bist so blaß !
Geh dem Bauer nicht ins Gras,
Geh dem Bauer nicht ins Kraut,
Sonst bezahlst mit deiner Haut ;
Sparst dir manche Not und Pein,
Kannst mit Lust ein Häslein sein !Listen to the midi music of Gestern abend ging ich aus!
Many thanks to Ulrike Bernhard for contributing this song, to Maguy Cabrol and Monique Palomares at Mama Lisa’s World en français for the translation from German and to Monique Palomares for creating the midi music . Vielen Dank!
Come and visit the Mama Lisa’s World Germany Page for more German Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes.
A French Lullaby called “Dodo, l’enfant do” in French with an English Translation and the Midi Music
Thursday, October 6th, 2005Marie-Thérèse wrote me looking for a French lullaby…
My maman used to sing a lullaby to me, and then to my children when they were born, that I want to remember all the words to, and sing now to my grandchildren. I wonder if you would know the lyrics? I know the first was Do Do L’enfant Do. If you know this lullaby can you email me the lyrics – it has great sentimental meaning to me – and my mère has passed and will never be able to sing to my grandbabies as she did my children. Thank you so much for any help. – Marie-Thérèse
I wrote to Monique, my partner at Mama Lisa’s World en français, asking if she was familiar with the song. Monique wrote back…
I am – my mother used to sing that to me too a loooooooooooooooong time ago (only the first four lines).
The lyrics are:
Dodo, l’enfant do
Dodo, l’enfant do,
L’enfant dormira bien vite
Dodo, l’enfant do
L’enfant dormira bientôt.Une poule blanche
Est là dans la grange.
Qui va faire un petit coco*
Pour l’enfant qui va fair’ dodo.Dodo, l’enfant do,
L’enfant dormira bien vite
Dodo, l’enfant do
L’enfant dormira bientôt.Tout le monde est sage
Dans le voisinage
Il est l’heure d’aller dormir
Le sommeil va bientôt venir.*Monique said, “…young children call an egg an ‘egg’ and not a ‘coco’ any more.”
Monique also sent me the Midi Music for Dodo l’enfant do.
I translated the lullaby into English.
Sleepy Time, The Young One Sleeps
Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,
The child will sleep very soon
Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,
The child will sleep oh, so soon.A white hen
Is in the barn.
It’ll make a small egg
For the child who goes to sleep.Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,
The child will sleep very soon
Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,
The child will sleep oh, so soon.Everyone is calm
All around
It’s the time for all to sleep
Sleep will come soon.Many thanks to Monique for the lyrics, the midi and help with the translation and to my husband Jason, for help with the English version. – Lisa
Please visit The Lullaby Page in French for French Lullabies and other Lullabies from Around the World with their French translations. The English version is coming soon.
and
The Mama Lisa’s World France page for more French children’s songs with their English translations
and
Mama Lisa’s World en français for Children’s Songs from Around the World with their French translations.
Golden Slumbers – The Origin of a Beatles Song
Tuesday, October 4th, 2005Last night I was reading through The Oxford Book of Children’s Verse by Iona and Peter Opie, (yes, I am obsessed with my sites), when I came across the following…
Cradle Song
by Thomas Dekker (1572 – 1632)Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.Care is heavy, therefore sleep you,
You are care, and care must keep you;
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby,
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.Of course, I immediately thought of the Beatles song, Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight, from their album Abbey Road. Although they changed it slightly, to:
Golden slumbers fill your eyes, smiles awake you when you rise,
Sleep pretty darling do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby.So now, I’m wondering, was Golden Slumbers a popular poem in England, before Abbey Road came out in 1969. Or was it sung as a lullaby to young children? Or did the Beatles find an obscure poem and popularize it in their song?
I’d love to know, if anyone has any more information about this, please write me.
Meanwhile, the song Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight, will be ringing through my mind!
______________
Monique wrote me,
…Golden Slumbers… as far as I know, it’s a traditional English lullaby. I created the Midi for Golden Slumbers.
Here’s an address where you can find the sheet music – Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, 1870-1885
Thanks Monique!
______________
________
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