The Telephone Game

The Telephone Game is played all around the world. To play, a group of children sit in a circle. The first child whispers something into the ear of the person next to him. That person in turn whispers the same sentence into the ear of the person next toher and so on around the circle.

The [...]

An English & Malay Lullaby based on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” by Zee Avi

Zee Avi is a wonderful singer from Malay. She sings in both Malay and English. Below is a video of a medley she created using English and Malay lullabies. Here's what she wrote about it... Some of my favourite lullabies that were sung to me by my mother and grandmother when i was a little [...]

Can Anyone Help Translate Malaysian Songs?

We received 3 Malay songs without translations. The songs are, “Bangau Oh Bangau”,”Burung Kenek-kenek” and “Lagu Tiga Kupang”. If anyone can help translate any of them, please email me. Thanks! Here are the lyrics... 1. Bangau Oh Bangau Bangau oh bangau, [...]

Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr in Indonesia with a YouTube Video

I asked Lin from Indonesia about Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr. Here's what she wrote... Eid'l Fitr is the closing of Ramadhan, celebrating the winning of ‘fighting' ourselves during Ramadhan month. During Ramadhan month, we don't eat, drink, smoking etc. We also don't do anything bad, instead we [...]

Can Someone Help with the Indonesian Song “Bengawan Solo”?

Gerard wrote: Hi! Is there somebody who can tell us the beautiful words in the Indonesian language of the song Bengawan Solo? Thanks a lot. Have a nice day. Gerard If anyone can help with these lyrics, and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks in advance! [...]

Mama Lisa's World News and Multimedia Features

A 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 [...]

A Malaysian or Indonesian Song Sung by a Little Girl on a Video

Carole wrote me yesterday from Canada, asking about a Malaysian or Indonesian song that you can hear on the video at the link below. The little girl in the video looks super cute singing... Dear Mama Lisa, Congratulations for your wonderful site. Since you seem to know some people from [...]

Can Anyone Help with a Cuban Rhyme/Finger Play that starts with “Chiquitica así”?

Jeannie Backer wrote to us for help with a Cuban Finger Play. Here's her note... My mother from Cuba used to sing a song/rhyme to usthat I only partially remember, maybe you have heard something similar. It's not a song as much as a cute thing that a child says to adult to ask for

The [...]

About the Song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”

We received the note below with the song “Cooma Lotta Veesay”. Many variations of this song exist, including “Kumala Vista”. It also shares lyrics with the action song called “Flee, Fly, Flo“. Here's the email: “In the late 1950s, we lived near a [...]