Holidays Around The World | Mama Lisa's World Blog

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“You’re Not Supposed to Say That!” – Mama Lisa’s Thanksgiving Silliness

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Turkey and Rooster Illustration of Thanksgiving Poem

Here’s a Thanksgiving poem I wrote in honor of turkeys all over the U.S. in autumn. It’s geared towards older kids.

You can click on the mp3 below to hear my husband and me recite it…

You’re Not Supposed to Say That!

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!” said the turkey.
“What?!” went the rooster.
“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”
“You’re not supposed to say
“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”
Said the rooster.
“Oh yes I am!”
Said the turkey.
“No you’re not!”
Said the rooster.
“What am I supposed to say?”
Asked the turkey.
The rooster replied,
“Gobble, gobble, gobble!”
“BOOM”
Went the farmer’s gun
And the rooster fell down dead.
“Don’t tell me what I’m
Supposed to say!”
Said the turkey,
“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

You’re Not Supposed to Say That MP3

Many thanks to my husband, Jason Pomerantz, for playing the part of the Turkey (hee, hee, hee)!

Hope you enjoyed the show!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, English, Holidays Around the World, Languages, MP3 Recordings, MP3's, Mama Lisa, Poems, Poetry, Poetry about the Seasons, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Poems, USA | No Comments »

Day of the Dead

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Today and tomorrow, November 1st and 2nd, are the Day of the Dead. It’s celebrated in Mexico. Family and friends get together to remember those who have died. People also make alters to the dead and visit the graves of their loved ones.

We went to a Mexican restaurant this evening and saw an alter.

Day of the Dead Alter

There were skulls on it made of sugar, and favorite foods and drinks of loved ones who have passed away. A woman who works there told me about some of the desserts that were on the alter. One was made of sweet potatoes and another of guava fruit…

Day of the Dead Desserts

They gave us a special hot chocolate drink and sweet tamales for dessert, specially for the holiday.

The lady who works there told us how in small towns in Mexico they decorate their houses with flowers in the doorways and petals strewn about the floor. Marigolds are particularly important. It sounds pretty.

The day is all about celebrating those loved ones who have passed on. It’s nice to have a day each year specifically for that.

Check out some other posts about the Day of the Dead…

•Day of the Dead

•A Song about Skeletons in Spanish with an English Translation from Costa Rica

•Skull Poem for the Mexican Day of the Dead

•About the History of Halloween and The Day of the Dead ("Los Dias de los Muertos")

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Holidays Around the World, Mama Lisa, Mexico, Photos, Photos of People, Photos of Places, The Day of the Dead | 2 Comments »

Kids Halloween Art

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Here’s some Halloween artwork my daughter and her friends did this week. I thought you might enjoy seeing it to help get you in the mood for Halloween!

“Bones” by Lila

“Skeleton” by Lila…

“Witch” by Sarina

“Graveyard” by Melisa

“Graveyard II” by Melisa

“R.I.P.” by Marisa

Have a Spooky Fun Halloween!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Children's Artwork, Countries & Cultures, Crafts, Drawing, Drawing, Halloween, Holidays Around the World, Illustrations, Kids Crayon Drawings, Kids Halloween Art, Learning, Mama Lisa, Parenting, USA | 1 Comment »

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 »

Koriteh – Celebration of the End of Ramadan

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Del wrote from The Gambia, “Lisa – today is also the Muslim celebration of Koriteh – after the Ramadan fast. So people here too are very happy.”

I read that kids go around to houses asking for “salibo” (sweets or money) just like the western Halloween.

Happy Koriteh!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Gambia, Holidays Around the World, Koriteh, Mama Lisa, Muslim | No Comments »

It’s Rosh Hashanah – Shana Tova Umetukah – A Good and Sweet Year!

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Today is Rosh Hashanah… the Jewish New Year. Much about the holiday centers around the theme of having a sweet year.

One of the greetings for Rosh Hashanah is “Shana tova umetukah”, which is Hebrew for “A good and sweet year”.

Apples and honey are served as a symbol of a sweet year. People dip the apple in the honey.

Noodle Kugel is often made as a side dish for its sweetness.

Challah bread is served to symbolize the cycle of the new year – in the shape of the circular bread.

In synagogue, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah the shofar is sounded. The shofar is made out of a ram’s horn. You can hear it here…

Shana tova umetukah – a good and sweet year!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Holidays Around the World, Israel, Mama Lisa, Rosh Hashanah, USA | No Comments »

Arr!

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Avast maties! It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Yarr!

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Posted in Holidays Around the World, International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Mama Lisa | No Comments »

Banana Dosai – A Dessert from India

Monday, September 14th, 2009

I came across a video for Banana Dosai today. It looks yummy! We’ve been trying to ease our kids into Indian food – we love it and we’d like to expose our children to the varied cuisines of the world. Some Indian food is too spicy for younger American kids. This dessert looks like a good introduction. Banana Dosai is like banana pancakes or dumplings.

Depending on where you live, you may need to find a specialty food store to find some of the ingredients or order them on the internet. It’s possible you could simply substitute the butter for ghee (which the chef in the video says you can) and cake flour for maida (this I’m not sure of and I haven’t tested it myself yet).

Recipe for Banana Dosai

4 ripe bananas
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped cashews
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped raisins
Butter or ghee (a type of clarified butter)
1/4 cup maida (finely milled wheat flour – similar to cake flour in the West)
1/2 cup Rice flour
crushed cardamom seeds (optional)
Sugar to taste

Mash bananas. Add chopped raisins, cashews, rice flour, maida and a little sugar. Mix. Add a little crushed cardamom seeds if desired. It should be a pasty consistency.

Griddle should be at 325 F. Put spoonful of batter on griddle. Put a few drops of ghee on top of batter and let it cook until lightly brown on both sides.

Here you can watch it made…

I’d skip the spicy sauce that the chef in the video recommends, if you’re serving this to children!

This is a good dessert for the Indian Festival of Diwali!

You can find more Indian recipes at at Vahrehvah.com .

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Banana Dosai, Countries & Cultures, Desserts, Diwali, India, Mama Lisa, Recipes of the World | 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 »

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 »

Japanese Lullabies called Nenneko Yo with a YouTube Video

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Illustration of Japanese Mother and Children

There are some lullabies in Japan that start with variations of the line, “Nenneko yo”. “Nenneko yo” is literally “Sleep, baby child”.

Here are some I found in an old book called “A Japanese Miscellany: Strange Stories, Folklore Gleanings, Studies Here & There” by Lafcadio Hearn (1901). They’re Japanese transliterations with translations.

Nenneko, nenneko,
Nenneko yo !
Oraga akabo no
Neta rusu ni,
Azuki wo yonagete,
Kome toide,
Aka no mamma e
Toto soete,
Aka no ii-ko ni
Kureru-zo !

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
Little one!
While my baby sleeps
I will wash some red beans
And clean some rice;
Then adding some
Fish to the red rice,
I will serve it up
To this best
of little babies.

*****

Nenneko! nenneko!
Nenneko yo !
Oraga akabo wa
Itsu dekita ?
San-gwatsu, sakura no
Saku toki ni :
Dori de o-kao ga
Sakura-iro.

Sleep, sleep,
Sleep, my child!
When was my
Baby made?
In the third month,
In the time of the blooming
Of cherry-flowers.
Therefore the color of the honorable
Face of my child is the color of the cherry-blossom.

*****

Nenneko, nenneko, nenneko ya !
Netara o-kaka e tsurete ina !
Okitara gagama* ga totte kama !

Sleep, sleep, sleep, my child !
If you sleep I will go home to fetch your mother!
If you stay awake the
Gagama* will catch and bite you !

* An Izumo name for some kind of Goblin.

Here’s a YouTube I found of someone singing a lovely Nenneko yo lullaby…

Here’s an English transliteration of the YouTube lullaby:

Yurika go no uta o

Nenneko, nenneko,
Nenneko yo.
Yurika go no uta o,
kanari ya ga uta u yo.
Nenneko, nenneko,
Nenneko yo.

Here’s an English translation I made with Ayako Egawa:

The Songs of Cradle

Sleeping, sleeping,
Sleeping, baby!
The songs of the cradle,
The canary sings
Sleeping, sleeping,
Sleeping, baby!

Here’s the Japanese text to this lullaby:

ゆりかごのうたを

ねんねこねんねこ
ねんねこよ
ゆりかごのうたを
カナリヤが歌うよ
ねんねこねんねこ
ねんねこよ

The lullaby in the video is only part of a longer song. We hope to eventually post the whole lullaby.

We’d be happy to receive the Japanese text to any of the above lullabies that don’t have it. You can email any info to me at lisa@mamalisa.com . Thanks in advance!

Many thanks to Linda Austin from Cherry Blossom Memories for providing the transliteration to the YouTube video! Thanks to Ayako Egawa for the Japanese text and for helping with the English translation!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Kids Songs, Japanese Lullabies, Languages, Lullabies, Mama Lisa, Nenne ko yo | 1 Comment »

Happy July Fourth – Photo and Firework Video!

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Here’s a short video of some fireworks we saw last night and a photo of flags near the Empire State Building to help get you into the mood for the 4th of July…

Photo of American Flags and The Empire State Building

Have a Happy July Fourth!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Fourth of July, Mama Lisa, Photos, USA, YouTube | No Comments »

Lyrics to Anna Banana and Hannah Banana with an MP3

Friday, June 5th, 2009

A third grader named Marisa taught me a hand clapping rhyme called “Hannah Banana”. It comes from a jump rope rhyme called “Anna Banana”. The lyrics to “Anna Banana” are:

Anna Banana
Plays the piana.
All she can play
Is the Star Spangled Banner.
Anna Banana split.

“Hannah Banana”, on the other hand, is a hand clapping rhyme. What’s interesting to me is that “Anna” switched to “Hannah”. We have two theories about why this might have happened. The first is simply is that “Hannah” is now a more popular name in the US than “Anna”. Children on the playground may have heard “Anna” as “Hannah” since the names sound so similar, and switched it. Our other theory is that “Hannah Banana” is somewhat close to “Hannah Montana”, the popular character from the children’s TV show. Children may have switched the rhyme to “Hannah Banana” based on that similarity. We may never know for sure why there’s now a version of “Anna Banana” called “Hannah Banana”, but it’s interesting to speculate.

Here’s the new rhyme “Hannah Banana”, with instructions for playing it and an mp3 of Marisa chanting it…

MP3 of Hannah Banana

Hannah Banana
Plays the piana
All she could play
Is split she’s an idiot.
(Repeat)

Istructions for Hand Clapping Game:

1st 3 lines of Rhyme:

1. Clap your own hands
2. Clap your partner’s hand diagonally
3. Clap your own hands
4. Clap your partner’s other hand diagonally
5. Repeat 1 – 4

Last line of Rhyme: Move feet out (like a little split).

Keep repeating the rhyme – each time moving feet out more on the last line – whoever falls over first loses.

Many thanks to Marisa for teaching me this rhyme and for chanting it for us!

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa Banana

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Posted in American Kids Songs, Anna Banana, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, English, Games, Great Britain, Hand Clapping Rhymes, Hannah Banana, Holidays Around the World, Jump Rope, Jump Rope Rhymes, Languages, MP3 Recordings, Mama Lisa, Nursery Rhymes, Questions, Recordings of Nursery Rhymes, USA | 4 Comments »

A Memorial Day Poem

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Illustration of Memorial Day Flowers

MEMORIAL FLOWERS.
By M. M.

Blue violets open their saintly eyes,
Red columbines bend and sway,
White star-flowers twinkle in beds of moss,
And, blooming, they seem to say,
“We bring you the red and the white and the blue
To welcome Memorial-day.”

So gather them, children, at earliest dawn,
While yet they are fresh with dew,
And we’ll scatter them over the sacred mounds
Where slumber our soldiers true;
For we’ll give them only the colors they loved-
The red and the white and the blue.

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, English, Holiday Poems, Holidays Around the World, Languages, Mama Lisa, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Poems, Poems, Poetry, USA | 1 Comment »

A Nursery Rhyme Story and Illustration

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Young nursery rhyme lovers will enjoy this little story featuring Mother Goose characters. Kids who aren’t familiar with a lot of nursery rhymes can learn new ones. I made each character linkable to a page where you can read that character’s rhyme. At the end of the story is an illustration that includes many of these beloved nursery rhyme characters.

MOTHER GOOSE’S MAY PARTY.

BY AGNES CARR.

It was May-day, and the sun popped out of bed early that morning to wake up the little birds and flowers, that they might clear their throats, and wash their bright faces in dew, by the time the old woman had swept the cobwebs from the sky, and left a beautiful blue roof over Gooseneck village; for they knew it was the 1st of May, and that dear old Mother Goose, who taught the Kindergarten, or infant school, was going with all her little scholars to have a May party under the trees in the merry green wood.

And the children knew it too, and they were all on hand bright and early- Tommy Green and Johnny Stout, Humpty Dumpty and Little Bo-peep, Jack and Jill, Little Boy Blue in a brand-new suit of clothes, and Goldilocks with her yellow hair flying in the wind, Tom, the Piper’s son, and poor Simple Simon, the dunce of the school, with many others that we have known and loved-and all brought baskets filled with good things for their dinner.

"Oh, won’t we have fun!" said Margery Daw to Jacky Horner. "I hope you have got something nice in that big basket of yours."

"Yes, indeed," said Jack. "Cook made me a lovely pie, and stuffed it just full of plums. I will try and pull one out for you;" and he lifted up the napkin over the basket, and was trying to break a hole in the pie-crust, when Mother Goose came in, and seeing him, said, "Here, here, Master Jack! keep your fingers out of the pie. I never saw such a boy. He sticks his thumb into everything, from Christmas pies to inkstands."

"Oh, Mother Goose, do let us start!" shouted the children.

"Yes, yes, my dears, very soon. We are only waiting for Contrary Mary. I have sent Nimble Dick for her; and here they come now."

Sure enough, there was heard a jingling of bells, and in danced Mary, quite contrary, with her fingers covered with rings, and her apron filled with flowers from her garden, with which to make a wreath for the May-Queen.

And now they all started, walking two and two, with Mother Goose at the head, holding the youngest scholar, Baby Bunting, tight by the hand, for fear he should fall down and tear his new rabbit-skin overcoat, while Tom, the Piper’s son, played "Over the hills and far away" on his pipe, and all the little folks danced and skipped along to the gay tune.

When they reached the pleasant wood, they were all glad to sit down on the green moss and rest awhile; and Mother Goose said, "The first thing is to choose a May-Queen: now who shall it be?"

"Goldilocks!" "Goldilocks!" shouted the children, for they all loved the dear little girl with pretty hair and sweet blue eyes.

"Oh, no, no!" said Goldilocks, and she hid behind Tommy Tucker.

But they made her come out and sit on a throne formed of Miss Muffet’s tuffet, scattered over with wild violets and May-flowers, which grew all around; and Contrary Mary put a beautiful crown of "roses and lilies and daffadown-dillies" on her golden curls, and she looked just the dearest little May-Queen in all the world.

Then all the children joined hands, and danced round the throne, singing,

"Hail to the Queen of May
On this our festal day!
Gay flowers we’ll bring,
Sweet blossoms of spring,
To crown our Queen of May."

The little Queen then gave each one a flower, and let them kneel and kiss her tiny white hand; and then they scattered through the woods, and played "Oats, peas, beans," tag, and other games, until Little Boy Blue blew a blast on his horn, which meant "Come to dinner"; and when they all came running back at the call, they found Mother Goose had a table-cloth spread on the grass, and all the biscuits, cake, and fruit from their baskets set out on green leaves, while in the centre stood Jack Horner’s pie, a bowl of curds and whey that Miss Muffet brought, and a plate of strawberry tarts sent by the Queen of Hearts; and Jack and Jill were bringing a pail of nice cold water from the spring.

How hungry they all were, too, and how good everything tasted! while they had such a laugh at little Miss Muffet, who screamed and ran away when a great daddy-long-legs walked across the table.

They ended the feast with the plum pie, which the little Queen cut, and gave every one a piece; and they all said it was so nice. Jack Horner felt quite proud, and thought he was a bigger boy than ever.

After everything was eaten up, Margery Daw and Little Bo-peep washed the dishes, while Little Boy Blue went fast asleep under the fence, and Mother Goose told all the little ones a story, until the cobwebs began to come over the sky, and the sun whispered to the little birds and flowers it was time to shut their peepers for the night, when they started for home, Goldilocks the Queen riding in the middle of the procession on big John Stout’s shoulder; and when they bade their teacher a tired but happy good-night, all said they had had the nicest kind of a day, and hoped next year Mother Goose would give them another May party.

GOING HOME FROM THE PICNIC.-Drawn by Jessie Curtis.

This seems to be the order of characters in the illustration above: Simple Simon, Contrary Mary, Tommy Tucker, Little Bo-peep, Tommy Green or Johnny Stout, Humpty Dumpty, Nimble Dick holding Goldilocks, Little Boy Blue, Tom, the Piper’s son, Jack and Jill, and Mother Goose carrying Baby Bunting

Enjoy!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Childrens Stories, Countries & Cultures, English, English Nursery Rhymes, Great Britain, Holidays Around the World, Illustrations, Languages, May Day, Mother Goose, Mother Goose Story, Nursery Rhymes, USA | No Comments »

Can Anyone Help with a Dutch Children’s Song?

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Mrs. Brein from Argentina is looking for two Dutch songs that her father sang to her when she was a child. Here is what they sounded like -the spelling is phonetical

1. Traláreche: Traláreche, traláreche, oh my muther so fader chessen, eisi bebirj, eisi bebirj, oh my muther so fader cheseen. (It was sung while turning the hands from side to side, in place).

2. Oh Susana: Oh Susana, oh Susana, evarescas liver vonder shen, oh Susana evarescas liver shein. Sjeimen ofen drepken, sjeimen ofen drepken, has das kleinen esen trepken, Sjeimen ofen drepken, sjeimen ofen drepken, has das kleinen esen trepken (sung faster and faster).

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

Thanks!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Belgium, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, Dutch, Dutch Children's Songs, English, Holidays Around the World, Languages, Mama Lisa, Netherlands, Questions, Readers Questions | 1 Comment »

Only a Mother’s Love – A Spanish Poem with an MP3 Recording

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

It’s May, the month for Mothers Day around the world! Here’s a Spanish poem called “Sólo el Amor de Una Madre”. You’ll find it below in the original Spanish, with an English translation and an MP3 recording of it being recited in Spanish…

Sólo el Amor de Una Madre

Sólo el amor de una Madre apoyará,
Cuando todo el mundo deja de hacerlo.

Sólo el amor de una Madre confiará,
Cuando nadie otro cree.

Sólo el amor de una Madre perdonará,
Cuando ninguno otro entenderá.

Sólo el amor de una Madre honrará,
No importa en qué pruebas has estado.

Sólo el amor de una Madre resistirá,
Por cualquier tiempo de prueba.

No hay ningún otro amor terrenal,
Más grande que el de una Madre.

MP3 Recording of Sólo el Amor de Una Madre by Monique Palomares.

Here’s the English translation penned by me, Lisa Yannucci, and my colleague, Monique Palomares, who works with me on Mamá Lisa’s World en español… Enjoy!

Only a Mother’s Love

Only a mother’s love will sustain,
When nobody else does.

Only a mother’s love will trust,
When nobody else believes.

Only a mother’s love will forgive,
When nobody else understands.

Only a mother’s love will honor,
Whatever the cause.

Only a mother’s love will withstand,
Any test of time.

There is no other earthly love,
Greater than that of a mother.

Many thanks to Monique for helping with the translation and for reciting this poem for us!

Here are some other posts about Mother’s Day, including other poems:

•Only a Mother's Love - A Spanish Poem with an MP3 Recording

•MY MOTHER. - A Poem

•Does Anyone Know Any Mothers Day songs or poems in Romanian?

•Mother's Day in Mexico with a Spanish Song

•Only One Mother - A Poem

•A Mother's Day Poem That Kids Recite in France

•"My Mother" a Victorian Poem

•Hold a Concert in Your House - Another Way to Make Music a Part of Your Family's Life

•A Hebrew Song for Mother's Day called "Mommy, Precious to Me"

•A Bolivian Song about May in Spanish with an English Translation

•A Mothers' Day Song and Rhyme in Spanish with English Translations

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mama Lisa

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Posted in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Countries & Cultures, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, English, Holidays Around the World, Languages, Mama Lisa, Mexico, Mother's Day Poems, Mothers Day, Nicaragua, Peru, Poems, Poetry, Spain, Spanish, USA, Venezuela | No Comments »

MY MOTHER. – A Poem

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Mother’s Day is celebrated in May in many countries around the world. Here’s a poem called "My Mother" from a publication called Spring Blossoms…

MY MOTHER.

In infancy’s unconscious day,
I weak and helpless long did lay,
Who o’er my form did watch and pray,
My Mother.

Who nourished me with fondest care,
And bore me forth to take the air,
And plucked me fruits and flowers rare,
My Mother.

Who daily, as I older grew,
Still taught me lessons bright and true,
And virtue’s path kept in my view,
My Mother.

Oh, may I truly, every year,
Return with love and tender care,
The blessings I from thee did share,
My Mother.