People everywhere love Christmas – but we don’t all celebrate it the same way.
Mama Lisa’s Christmas Around The World is a celebration of the diversity and love with which many different cultures mark this joyful time of year.
You’ll read about:
- How in Italy it’s not Santa Claus who gives gifts to all the children. It’s La Befana, a friendly witch!
- How Scandinavians mark the end of the season by “plundering” the Christmas Tree on St. Knut’s Day. That’s a fun way to get children to help with the post-holiday clean-up!
- How in Colombia, in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s usually warm in December. So Christmas is celebrated like a giant outdoor block party!
The first part of the book covers some of the traditions that take place on days other than Christmas itself, like St. Nick’s Day and Epiphany. The history and meaning of these holidays is discussed, often with examples of traditional songs.
The second part presents beloved traditions and songs from many different nations. The songs are given in the original languages and with English translations.
What makes the book really special is the many comments from Mama Lisa’s correspondents who have shared stories and memories from their own lives. The memories of childhood touch us forever!
Many of the songs featured also include links to the Mama Lisa website, where you can find recordings, videos and sheet music.
Merry Christmas!
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Booktrust did a survey of over 2,500 people in the UK to determine the top nursery rhymes. Here they are with links to their lyrics (most of the links have mp3’s or videos too):
December 27th, 2016 at 7:44 am
It saddens me somewhat that this list contains so many of the more modern children’s rhymes. I wonder if it is a reflection of a dwindling knowledge of old traditional rhymes and children’s games. We sing a great variety of any nursery rhymes that I can remember from my own childhood to our grandchildren, often making up little ‘plays’ – such as for ‘Little Boy Blue’. The Opies wrote several books about nursery rhymes, and their origins, and I am hopeful that we can share that with my grand-daughter when she is older. She already knows a wide variety of rhymes at three and a half. Of course, she sings the more modern ones at school!
August 10th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
My Grandmother sang a song when she was a child (early 1900’s) and taught it to me and I taught it to my children. that’s 4 generations at least. Although, we have no idea where it came from; she did not remember. Her great-grandfather was from England and came over around 1849 and I often wonder if it came from there. (as it was entirely a verbal rhyme, I am not sure of the spelling. This is all from phonics that I remember).
As I was crossing humber-jumber janey
I met a rin-a-ma-jig stealing my kapaney,
If I’d a had my rit-ma-tit-ma-tat-ma-taney
I’d of surely shot that rin-a-ma-jig for stealing my kapaney.
– – – – – – – – – (Meaning)
As I was crossing London Bridge
I met a thief stealing my pony.
If I’d a had my rifle,
I’d of surely shot that thief for stealing my pony.
January 16th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Sweetest nursery rhymes
February 26th, 2019 at 4:12 am
I have always wondered at what the meaning might be behind “As I walked by myself”. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
February 27th, 2019 at 8:35 pm
The rhyme is as follows:
As I walked by myself,
And talked to myself,
Myself said unto me,
Look to thyself,
Take care of thyself,
For nobody cares for thee.
I answered myself,
And said to myself,
In the self-same repartee,
Look to thyself,
Or not to thyself,
The self-same thing will be.
It seems to mean that if no one cares about you, it doesn’t matter what you do. Would anyone else like to give their take on this rhyme?
December 20th, 2019 at 1:00 am
My former parents in law, Iona and Peter Opie, published many many books on Children’s Lore and Language, Nursery rhymes and their origins, Fairy Tales and their origins, Singing and skipping games, and are considered the world’s real authority on all these and related topics. Their books are usually available online, through Oxford Press, or in your local library.