05/04/2008 09:00 PM

Looking for Specific Translation to Tum balalaika

Tum balalaika is a Yiddish folk song. John Ringo wrote me that he was looking for help finding a version from his childhood that’s different than the one we have posted (click the link for our version). Here’s what he wrote… I was actually looking for a set of lyrics to this I remember [...]

12/29/2007 10:48 PM

Symbolic Foods Eaten Around the World for New Years

In many parts of the world, the foods eaten on New Years Eve and New Years Day have important symbolic meanings. These symbols seem to fall into several major categories. The first class symbolizes financial prosperity. This type of food is round like coins. Often, the dish will be round beans, like lentils, [...]

12/27/2007 03:28 PM

Happy Saint Stephen’s Day

Ed Gawlinski pointed out that today is St. Stephen’s Day. He wrote… St. Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint’s day celebrated on December 26th in the Western Church and December 27th in the Eastern Church. In Irish it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofán or Lá an Dreoilín — the latter [...]

03/15/2007 11:30 PM

A Little about Limericks

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a little information about limericks. A limerick is a five-line poem, with the rhyming pattern A-A-B-B-A. In other words, lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme with each other. They usually have 7-11 syllables per line. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other and have 5-8 syllables per line. Limericks can [...]

02/22/2007 01:19 PM

Spanish Translations of English Children’s Songs

Jackie wrote us looking for some Spanish versions of English songs. Online, at Mama Lisa’s World, we already have Itzi, bitzi araña, which is the Spanish version of Itsy Bitsy Spider. There’s also Estrellita, which is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in Spanish. You can click on the links for the lyrics in Spanish with [...]

01/06/2007 08:35 PM

How to Find Sheet Music, Tunes and MP3’s on Mama Lisa’s World

In 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. [...]

11/14/2006 12:49 PM

Looking for a Song Sung to Babies in Ireland about That Shirt Me Mother Made for Me

Mary wrote me looking for the full lyrics to an Irush lullaby: My sister-in-law is trying to find a lullaby sung to her as a child but she doesn’t know the title. She has a very new little grandson… I remember the day that I was born T’was a frosty winter morn The doctor said I was a [...]

03/15/2006 05:42 PM

My Mom’s Recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day

Corned Beef and Cabbage is a very traditional meal that Irish Americans eat for St. Patrick’s Day. I’m one-eighth Irish. My great grandmother came from Ireland. The tradition of eating Corned Beef and Cabbage was passed down through the family to my Mom. Here’s Mom’s delicious, and easy, recipe for Corned Beef and [...]

03/15/2006 09:25 AM

Please Send An Endearing Term for Grandma and Grandpa in Your Language

Kathy wrote me… Dear Mamalisa, I was delighted to find your website and will be using it in the future. I am researching translations for the word “grandma” in various languages. I am most interested in the familiar, sweet terms children might call this individual. I am aware that in some cultures this would [...]

03/12/2006 06:02 PM

St. Patrick’s Day

About St. Patrick St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Roman controlled Britain around 390. He died on March 17, 460. March 17th is when Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated. St. Patrick was abducted by Irish raiders when he was 16 and was taken to Ireland, which was pagan [...]