Kindergarten Songs & Music 2020
Hello Norman Cook Kindergarten parents and students. My name is Mr.Veilands and I am the Core French teacher at the school, but I've been asked to provide some music content for the students in Ms,Constantini's and Ms.Tahiri's classes during the school closure. I don't regularly teach the Kindergarten students but I did help them prepare for their performance at the Holiday Concert back in December and led the Holiday Carolling sing-a-longs in the gym during the last school week of December. I will be posting some songs for your children to listen to and hopefully sing along to at home : some old, some new, and perhaps I will take some requests of songs to do. Enjoy!
* If you would like an mp3 version of all the songs, they are posted on the Kindergarten Google classrooms.
* If you would like an mp3 version of all the songs, they are posted on the Kindergarten Google classrooms.
June 26, 2020 :
One last song to close out the year. Even though this song first became popular 80 years ago during World War 2, when many were separated from their families, it still resonates a lot with the current pandemic and the social isolation we have experienced this year. Here's hoping that we all meet again safe and healthy at school in September.
As I side note, the British singer Vera Lynn, who first made the song so popular during World War 2, just died recently. She was 103 years old.
"We'll Meet Again"
(Parker/Charles)
We'll meet again,
don't know where,
don't know when,
but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through,
just like you always do
'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.
Some sunny day, hey hey hey.
Some sunny day, hey hey hey.
Some sunny day, hey hey hey.
We'll meet again,
don't know where,
don't know when,
but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through,
just like you always do
'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.
well_meet_again.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2911 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 25, 2020 :
Today's song also fits with our Challenge Week theme of friendship. It's called "You've got a friend" (not the same as "You've got a friend in me" from the Toy Story movies, I figured that most of you already knew that one quite well), and it was written by famous songwriter Carole King, but most people know the version by James Taylor.
"You've Got A Friend"
(King)
When you're down and troubled,
and you need a helping hand,
and nothing, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me,
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest night.
You just call out my name
and you know wherever I am,
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall,
all you have to do is call
and I'll be there.
You've got a friend.
If the sky above you grows dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind begins to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door.
You just call out my name
and you know wherever I am,
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall,
all you have to do is call
and I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
youve_got_a_friend.mp3 | |
File Size: | 3657 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 24, 2020 :
For anyone who has been in one of my music classes, you know that I like to use a lot of songs by the rock group Queen. Today's song fits our Challenge Week theme of friendship, and it is the first part of their famous song "You're my best friend". You might have heard this one before on TV, perhaps in some commercials
"You're My Best Friend"
(Deacon)
Ooh, you make me live.
Whatever this world can give to me,
It's you, you're all I see.
Ooh, you make me live now.
Ooh, you make me live.
You're the best friend
that I ever had.
I've been with you such a long time.
You're my sunshine,
and I want you to know
that my feelings are true,
I really love you.
You're my best friend.
Ooh, you make me live.....
youre_my_best_friend.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2040 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 23, 2020 :
Today's song is one that I wrote with the help of a Kindergarten class a few years ago. It's called "Take care of your heart", and it's a reminder to make sure everybody gets enough exercise to keep your heart healthy, especially now that we aren't walking to school everyday, or going out for recess, or having gym classes. Remember to find ways to stay active during the summer months! In case you're wondering, the 'ba-bump" part of the song is supposed to be the sound of your heart beating.
Take care of your heart
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump.....
You run, you jump, you skip, you hop,
and exercise in the gym.
You swim, you dive, you swing, you stop,
and feel your pulse quick again.
Everybody take a part.
Take care of your heart.
It's not too late to start
to make a work of art of your heart.
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump.....
Everybody take a part.
Take care of your heart.
It's not too late to start
to make a work of art of your heart.
take_care_of_your_heart.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2797 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 22, 2020 :
I will be posting songs this week that fit the general themes of friendship, staying positive and staying healthy. Today is one more song from the Beatles called
"With a little help from my friends".
With a little help from my friends
(Lennon/McCartney)
What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
and I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
I get by with a little help from my friends.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
with_a_little_help_from_my_friends.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1834 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 19, 2020 :
The last keyboard instrument for this week is the glockenspiel (pronounced "glock-in-shpeel"). It has the same basic layout as a piano keyboard, but you strike the keys with small mallets to make the sound instead of using your fingers. Whereas the xylophone usually has wooden keys, the glockenspiel has metal ones that give it a chiming sound like a bell ; it often reminds me of an old-fashioned doorbell or bicycle bell. Can you recognize the melody played in the mp3 file below?
glockenspiel_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1527 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 18, 2020 :
Just like the idea of making a smaller organ that you could move to different places, people eventually invented an electric piano that was much lighter and easier to move compared to a full-size piano. Many electric pianos have a smaller keyboard than the full 88 keys of a regular piano, but you can plug them into a speaker to adjust the volume and get different sounds. The song chords played in the mp3 track below are from the famous song "Imagine" by John Lennon, who was one of the Beatles.
electric_piano_-_chords.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2325 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 17, 2020 :
Today's keyboard instrument is the Hammond B3 organ, designed to be a smaller version of a church organ that you could move around, but it's still quite bulky and apparently a ton to move around. There are still a lot of keys, buttons and foot pedals to use, and it can make a wide variety of sounds from very sharp to echoey and swirly. It can be heard in a lot of jazz, pop and rock n' roll songs from the 1950's and 1960's. The song played in the mp3 track is one of the more famous jazz organ songs called "Back at the chicken shack" by Jimmy Smith, possibly the most famous jazz orgainsts ever.
hammond_b3_organ_-_chords_.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2063 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 16, 2020 :
Another very old keyboard instrument today, the church organ. It is sometimes called the pipe organ, because the sound used to come out of long pipes that ran up the walls of the church, which gave it a gigantic sound that filled up the entire church. It is probably the most complicated keyboard instrument to play because of all the layers of keys, buttons and foot pedals (look at the picture below). The music in the mp3 track is the basic chord accompaniment to the famous hymn "Amazing Grace".
church_organ_-_chords.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1634 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 15, 2020 :
This week I will share instruments that have a keyboard, which means they have keys that look like the ones you push on a piano. In some ways these instruments are the easiest to play because you just have to press the key to make the sound, but they can be difficult to master.
Today's instrument is the harpsichord, which looks like a smaller version of the piano. Just like the piano, it is also considered a string instrument because the sound comes from the keys striking the stretched-out strings inside. However it has a sharper sound compared to the piano, because the strings inside are not just hit, they are 'plucked', kind of like how you would play a guitar with a pick or your fingers.
The chords played in the mp3 track are from famous old folk and blues song called "House of the Rising Sun".
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June 12, 2020 :
A lot of the time, the brass instruments all play together to make a fuller sound. Here is what it sounds like.
brass_section_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 899 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 11, 2020 :
Today's brass instrument is still the trumpet, but with something called a mute put into the end where the sound comes out (the bell). A mute is usually cone-shaped and the player uses it to quiet the trumpet and to change the texture of the sound that comes out. If you listen to today's mp3 file and compare it yesterday's mp3 file for the regular trumpet sound, you will hear the difference.
muted_trumpet_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 554 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 10, 2020 :
Today's brass instrument is probably the more familiar one, the trumpet. It has a higher, more piercing sound compared to the tuba and the French horn.
trumpet_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 681 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 9, 2020 :
Today's brass section instrument is the French horn, which is a medium-sized brass instrument that produces a smoother sound compared to the trombone or trumpet. Maybe you can guess the melody that the French horn is playing in the mp3 track below.
french_horn_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1553 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 8, 2020 :
After covering the woodwind section of instruments last week, I will be posting about the brass section this week. Brass instruments are typically made of shiny metal, bent into various pipes and tubes to make their unique sound. They are usually quite loud compared to most woodwinds, and you make the sound by a combination of blowing air and buzzing your lips into a special mouthpiece (see the first picture below).
Today's brass instrument is one of the lower-end ones called the tuba, which is kind of like the bass guitar in a rock band.
tuba_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1155 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 5th, 2020 :
Just in time for Friday morning, a dance music version of the school "Friday Song".
friday_song_-_dance_version.mp3 | |
File Size: | 3158 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 4th, 2020 :
One last woodwind instrument for this week, a more modern one called the saxophone, used more often in jazz, r n' b and rock n' roll music than classical music. It looks like it would be in the brass section of instruments, but you blow through a reed and mouthpiece at one end, like a clarinet and bassoon, making it a woodwind.
saxophone_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 614 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 3rd, 2020 :
Today's woodwind instrument is the flute, another one that was once made primarily of wood and is now usually made of metal. Compared to most other woodwinds that you blow right through, the flute is different because you hold it sideways and blow air across a hole at one end to make a sound.
flute_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 515 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
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June 2nd, 2020 :
Here is a smaller and simpler woodwind instrument for today, the recorder. True recorders are made of wood, but most that you will see and play are made of plastic. It is often one of the first instruments that children learn to play due being light, small, easy to play and cheap to buy (which is why you will see it in most dollar stores). Again, see if you can guess the melody of the song.
June 2nd, 2020 :
Here is a smaller and simpler woodwind instrument for today, the recorder. True recorders are made of wood, but most that you will see and play are made of plastic. It is often one of the first instruments that children learn to play due being light, small, easy to play and cheap to buy (which is why you will see it in most dollar stores). Again, see if you can guess the melody of the song.
recorder_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 599 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
June 1st, 2020 :
Before last week's challenges, I was presenting some different instruments online, and the last one was the clarinet, which is part of the woodwind family of instruments. Now not all woodwind instruments are made of wood but most make their sound by having the musician blow air ('wind') through it somehow. Today's song is played on a larger woodwind instrument called the bassoon. See you if you can guess the melody played ; you may not know the name of the song but more likely WHEN you hear it.
bassoon_-_melody.mp3 | |
File Size: | 545 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 29, 2020 :
One more to close out the week : part two of the "Pick it up" rap from yesterday. I added a verse about protecting our water to fit today's Challenge Week theme.
Pick it up, part 2
(D. Dunleavy / additional lyrics by R.Veilands)
I hope and I wish,
please think of the fish,
and don't pour everything down the drain.
Make no mistake,
it just goes in the lake,
so take this advice and train your brain.
The water's not free,
it doesn't grow on the trees,
so try to conserve it when you can.
We can reduce it,
or even reuse it,
the water cycle is a master plan.
We stand correct
with our self-respect
by caring for our planet Earth.
No more neglect,
we must protect
all of nature and what it's worth.
We will connect.
We will reflect
on the changes that we can make.
We only get
what we expect,
So let's be mindful of what we take.
pick_it_up_-_part_2_-_rap.mp3 | |
File Size: | 2139 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 28, 2020 :
Here is another rap which ties in with the general theme of this Challenge Week. Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.
Pick it up, part 1
(D. Dunleavy / additional lyrics by R.Veilands)
We'd like to mention
there's a lot of tension
about the garbage in our street.
It's our intention
to pay attention
to the all the mess around our feet.
We make no pretention
an ounce of prevention
could start to fix the problem right now.
We're the clean-up convention
of this dimension
and we can show you all how.
We should explain
that it hurts the terrain,
it chokes up the air we breathe.
It's too insane,
it's inhumane,
the trash and junk that we leave.
We must restrain,
we must refrain
from using and abusing this place.
Let's all maintain
a clean campaign.
Just say "no more to this waste!".
May 27, 2020 :
Here is a blues song I made up and recorded that fits today's Challenge Week theme.
The Empty Blue Box Blues
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
When I see that garbage can
filled with bottles and aluminum cans,
stuff that should go in the recycling bin,
I've gotta ask "Hey, where you been?"
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
Let's all do our best to reduce
and don't buy things that you can't reuse.
Recycling is the third R, so do your part,
or take single-use plastics and create some art.
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
I've got the blues, I've got the blues.
I've got the empty blue box blues.
the_empty_blue_box_blues.mp3 | |
File Size: | 3726 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 26, 2020 :
Here is another song about butterflies that fits the Art in Nature theme for today. You will find many types of interesting and colourful designs on the butterflies who live in Ontario.
Pretty Painted Butterfly
(Reid-Naiman)
Pretty painted butterfly,
what did you do all day?
I roamed around the sunny sky,
nothing to do but play.
Nothing to do but play,
all the live long day,
so fly butterfly,
so fly butterfly,
don't waste your time away.
pretty_painted_butterfly_-_song.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1664 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 25, 2020 :
Here are a few new songs about the butterfly and its life cycle that fits the theme of this Challenge Week at school.
Out of the Chrysalis
(sung to the tune of the Christmas song "Up on the housetop")
First comes a butterfly and lays an egg,
out comes a caterpillar with many legs.
Oh see the caterpillar spin and spin
a little chrysalis to sleep in.
Hee, hee, hee, wait and see.
Hee, hee, hee, wait and see.
Out of the chrysalis, my oh my!
Out comes a pretty butterfly!
The Fuzzy Caterpillar
(sung to the tune of "The itsy-bitsy spider")
The fuzzy caterpillar curled upon a leaf
spun her little chrysalis and then fell asleep.
While she was sleeping she dreamed that she could fly
and when she woke up she was a butterfly.
out_of_the_chrysalis.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1507 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
the_fuzzy_caterpillar.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1197 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 22, 2020 :
Another famous classical music melody written by Beethoven to close out the school week. Once more it is usually played by a full orchestra with choir too, but here is basic melody played by both a violin and a clarinet. We will continue learning about different musical instruments in following weeks.
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May 21, 2020 :
One of the most famous openings of any classical music piece ever, today's song is the very beginning of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. I have played a basic version here with the strings sound on my keyboard, but it is usually played by a full orchestra. Most people know that this is the one that starts "ba-ba-ba-BAAAA", and there is even a book written about the music called "The first four notes" because it is so recognizable from the very beginning.
beethoven_-_5th_symphony_-_strings.mp3 | |
File Size: | 631 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 20, 2020 :
I posted something different to the Kindergarten class pages today, but I thought that this classical music piece would work better for the students in Ms.Will's and Ms.Rai's classes. Like the Star Wars theme yesterday, this short piece is also from an old space movie called "2001 : A Space Odyssey", and is one of the most recognizable pieces of modern classical music. It is called "Also sprach Zarathustra" and was composed by Richard Strauss. It is short, but contains many of the elements that we learned in music class this year : melody, percussion, low / high, major and minor.
r_strauss_-_also_sprach_zarathustra_-_orchestra.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1757 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 19, 2020 :
A classical music theme this week. There are so many variations of classical music, but I will provide some of the most famous and familiar, then branch out during another week. First up is probably one of the most famous pieces of modern classical music, from the movie Star Wars, written by film composer John Williams. I have played this with a Strings section sound, which includes the sound of the double bass, cello, viola and violin. I have played it more as a march, like at the end of the original Star Wars movie.
john_williams_-star_wars_main_theme_-_strings.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1688 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 14, 2020 :
Next is a meat-eating dinosaur that was featured in the "Jurassic Park" movies and was the inspiration for Toronto's champion pro basketball team, the Raptors. Full name : the velociraptor. The song is just the children's classic "Skinnamarink" with different lyrics.
Velociraptor
Velociraptor is so fast,
running on her feet.
She eats meat.
Velociraptor is so fast,
running on her feet.
She eats meat.
Hunting in the morning,
and in the afternoon.
Hunting in the evening,
underneath the moon.
Velociraptor is so fast,
running on her feet.
She eats meat.
velociraptor_-_song.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1514 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 13, 2020 :
Next up, the another plant-eating dinosaur with a protective shell, the tank-like Anklyosaurus. The song is really just a rewrite of the old children's song "Bingo" where you end up clapping one more time in each verse instead of singing the title.
Anklyosaurus
Anklyosaurus had a shell,
and a bony tail.
Anklyosaurus,
Anklyosaurus,
Anklyosaurus,
He had a bony tail.
Anklyosaurus had a shell,
and a bony tail.
Anklyosau - *CLAP*,
Anklyosau - *CLAP*,
Anklyosau - *CLAP*,
He had a bony tail.
(and so on until the fifth verse when you just do five claps instead of singing "Anklyosaurus")
anklyosaurus_-_song.mp3 | |
File Size: | 3091 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 12, 2020 :
Next up, the giant plant-eating dinosaur, Brachiosaurus.
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus!
Brachiosaurus!
Brachiosaurus!
You're a lot bigger than a bus!
Hide in the swamp all day,
so that Tyrannosaurus stays away!
Brachiosaurus!
Brachiosaurus!
Brachiosaurus!
You're so much bigger than all of us!
Heavy feet go stomp!
Splashing the mud all over the swamp!
Brachiosaurus!
Brachiosaurus!
brachiosaurus_-_song.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1462 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 11, 2020 :
A few years ago when I taught music to a Kindergarten class at another school, we did a whole unit of songs about dinosaurs, which they loved. I will be uploading one dinosaur song a day to the Google Classroom site this week.
Tyrannosaurus Rex
(to the tune of "Twinkle twinkle")
Tyrannosaurus Rex likes meat,
that's the only food he'll eat.
He has sharp teeth in his jaws,
and on his feet, he has big claws.
Tyrannosaurus Rex is mean.
He's scarier than Hallowe'en.
tyrannosaurus_rex_-_song.mp3 | |
File Size: | 1498 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 7th, 2020 :
I was trying to think of a song to fit today's challenge theme, and this one kept popping into my head (The Beatles are always a good source!). The song was originally recorded by Motown act the Marvelettes. Anyone who recognizes it will know it as "Please Mr. Postman", but I was trying to adapt it so that it wasn't just male. so "Delivery Person" is the closest I could come up with that kind of fit.
Delivery Person
(Dobbins / Garrett / Gorman / Dozier / Bateman , lyrics modified by Veilands)
Wait, oh yes wait a minute delivery person,
Wait, wait delivery person.
Delivery person, look and see.
Is there a package in your truck for me?
I've been waiting a long long time
since I chose to buy it online.
There must be a box today
from the warehouse so far away.
Delivery person, look and see
if there's a package, a package for me?
I've been waiting here at home everyday,
so patiently,
for your truck to stop at my house
so I can get up off my couch.
Delivery person, look and see,
is there a package in your truck for me?
I've been waiting such a long long time
since I chose to buy it online.
So many days you passed us by.
See the tear standing in my eye.
You didn't stop to make me feel better
by leaving me a package or letter.
Delivery person, look and see.
Is there a package in your truck for me?
I've been waiting a long long time
since I chose to buy it online.
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute....
delivery_person.mp3 | |
File Size: | 3116 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
May 6th, 2020 :
Here is another rap song to go along with today's challenge theme.
Don't touch that trash
Don't be rash, don't touch that trash!
It's full of germs to make you squirm.
Toss it in and leave it in the bin.
The garbage collector is your protector.
Wrappers, lids, old bubble gum,
dust and lint and dirty old crumbs,
dump it all in the garbage can
then go to the sink and wash your hands.
Be careful what you touch and handle.
Germs may still live on doorhandles.
Germs and viruses are contagious.
You don't even need to be courageous.
Don't be rash, don't touch that trash!
It's full of germs to make you squirm.
Toss it in and leave it in the bin.
The garbage collector is your protector.
dont_touch_that_trash.wma | |
File Size: | 1666 kb |
File Type: | wma |
May 4th, 2020 :
For the Star Wars fans out there, May the Fourth be with you! Here is a rap to remind us of how to be safe and reduce exposure to germs.
Covid-19 Safety Tips Rap
When you feel the need to cough or sneeze,
just hide it in your elbow, please!
Better that it stays on your sleeve
than in the air to cause disease.
Viruses and germs are in the air,
flying around like they just don't care!
We can stay safe so don't despair.
We can stay safe if we prepare.
Wear a mask if you go outside.
Don't touch places where germs can hide.
Walk around others, move to the side.
Keep a distance 2 metres wide.
Let's all try to be responsible.
covid-19_safety_tips_rap.wma | |
File Size: | 1257 kb |
File Type: | wma |
May 3rd, 2020 :
I recorded this version mainly for the grade 2/3 students in Ms.Will's class who I was teaching a weekly music lesson to this school year. This is what "Here comes the sun" would sound like played and sung in a minor key,
minor-key_here_comes_the_sun.wma | |
File Size: | 1244 kb |
File Type: | wma |
May 1st, 2020 :
Good Friday morning and happy May 1st. Well enough songs about rain. The sun and great weather are supposed to reappear later today and into the weekend, so here is yet one more Beatles song that fits the bill.
Here comes the sun
(Harrison)
Here comes the sun.
(Doo-doo-doo-doo.)
Here comes the sun
and I say
it's all right.
Little darling
it's been a long cold lonely winter.
Little darling
it feels like years since it's been here.
Here comes the sun.
(Doo-doo-doo-doo.)
Here comes the sun
and I say
it's all right.
Little darling
the smiles returning to the faces.
Little darling
it seems like years since it's been here.
Here comes the sun.
(Doo-doo-doo-doo.)
Here comes the sun
and I say
it's all right.
here_comes_the_sun.wma | |
File Size: | 1253 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 30, 2020 :
Another rainy morning, another rainy song. It seems every band has their own song with 'rain' in the title : "Have you ever seen the rain?", "November Rain", "Early Morning Rain", "Here comes the rain again", "Blame it on the rain", "Rainy Days and Mondays".....the list could go on and on. Here is another one by the Beatles simply called "Rain",
Rain
(Lennon / McCartney)
If the rain comes
they run and hide their heads.
They might as well be dead.
If the rain comes.
If the rain comes.
When the sun shines
they slip into the shade
and sip their lemonade
When the sun shines.
When the sun shines.
Rain, I don't mind
Shine, the weather's fine
I can show you
that when it starts to rain,
everything's the same.
I can show you.
I can show you
Rain, I don't mind
Shine, the weather's fine.
Can you hear me
that when it rains and shines
it's just a state of mind
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
rain.wma | |
File Size: | 1818 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 29, 2020 :
As they say, April showers bring May flowers. We are supposed to get some rain over the next few days, so here are some familiar children's songs about rain, in both the usual major key and also in a minor key.
It's raining, it's pouring
It's raining, it's pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head
and couldn't wake up in the morning.
Rain, rain, go away
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day.
Little sister wants to play.
Rain, rain, go away.
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day.
Little brother wants to play.
Rain, rain, go away.
major-key_rain_songs.wma | |
File Size: | 885 kb |
File Type: | wma |
minor-key_rain_songs.wma | |
File Size: | 1051 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 28, 2020 :
For all the sleepyheads out there, here is one more minor-key song for now. In this song originally written and recorded by the Beatles, you will hear how a minor key can also give a song a dreamy feel, which fits this song well. Dedicated to all those children (and parents) who want to sleep in a bit longer to keep on dreaming.
I'm only sleeping
(Lennon/McCartney)
When I wake up early in the morning,
lift my head, I'm still yawning.
When I'm in the middle of a dream,
stay in bed, float upstream...
Please don't wake me, no, don't shake me.
Leave me where I am,
I'm only sleeping.
Everybody seems to think I'm lazy.
I don't mind, I think they're crazy.
Running everywhere at such a speed,
'til they find there's no need....
Please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away,
and after all,
I'm only sleeping
im_only_sleeping.wma | |
File Size: | 961 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 27, 2020 :
In contrast to the upbeat "Friday Song", here is the sad-sounding "Monday Song". It's really just the same song melody but played slower in a minor key.
sad_monday_song.wma | |
File Size: | 620 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 24, 2020 :
Here are two more 'marching songs' that are written in a minor key : one written by composer George Bizet for his l'Arlesienne Suite, and the other by famous movie composer John Williams for the Star Wars movies. I have also posted my new rock n' roll version of The Friday Song below.
larlesienne_march.wma | |
File Size: | 709 kb |
File Type: | wma |
star_wars_imperial_march.wma | |
File Size: | 705 kb |
File Type: | wma |
friday_song_-_rock_version.wma | |
File Size: | 1257 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 22, 2020 :
In honour of Earth Day, here is a classic pop song first made famous by legendary jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong.
What a wonderful world
(Thiele / Weiss)
I see trees of green,
red roses too.
I see them bloom
for me and you,
and I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue,
and clouds of white,
the bright blessed day,
the dark sacred night.
and I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.
The colours of the rainbow
so pretty in the sky
and also on the faces
of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands
saying "How do you do?"
They're really saying
"I love you."
I hear babies cry.
I watch them grow.
They'll know much more
than I'll ever know.
and I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.
what_a_wonderful_world.wma | |
File Size: | 1235 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 21, 2020 :
Here is another song based in a minor key, but more of an upbeat marching song. It's another one where you can keep on adding extra verses that rhyme.
The Ants Go Marching
The ants go marching one by one.
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one.
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one.
The little one stops to suck his thumb,
and they all go marching
out of the rain.
The ants go marching two by two.....tie his shoe
The ants go marching three by three....climb a tree
The ants go marching four by four....shut the door
The ants go marching five by five.....take a dive
the_ants_go_marching.wma | |
File Size: | 1284 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 20, 2020
Last week I posted songs that were in a major key, so for a comparison, I will start this week with songs in a minor key, which usually sounds sad, spooky, mysterious or dramatic to most listeners. The first 'song' is a medley of familiar children's songs but played in a minor key, which gives each song a very different feel.
minor-key_medley_-_abc_-_black_sheep_-_twinkle_twinkle.wma | |
File Size: | 1145 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 17, 2020
If it's Friday, it must be time for "The Friday Song", which students have heard and sung many times at school this year.
friday_-_basic_version.wma | |
File Size: | 427 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 16, 2020 :
Another new one with a wordplay twist and challenge.
Tony Chesnut
Tony Chesnut knows I love you.
Tony knows, Tony knows.
Tony Chesnut knows I love you.
That's what Tony knows.
* Challenge : point to each body part that's mentioned in the song lyrics while you sing it
"TOE - KNEE - CHEST - NUT (head) - NOSE - EYE - love you....."
tony_chesnut.wma | |
File Size: | 691 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 15, 2020 :
Here is a new one, "Going over the sea", another major-key song like all of the other ones already posted. It is one of those songs where you can keep on adding more and more verses by just making rhymes.
Going over the sea
When I was one I ate a bun
going over the sea
I jumped aboard a captain's ship
the captain said to me :
"Going over, going under,
stand at attention like a soldier,
with a one, two three!"
When I was two I buckled my shoe....
When I was three I learned to ski....
When I was four I learned to snore....
When I was five I learned to dive....
When I was six I......
(etc...)
going_over_the_sea.wma | |
File Size: | 1625 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 14, 2020 :
Here are some musical examples of the major scale, which provides the notes used in major-key songs (i.e. the ones that sound 'happy'). The first is just the basic notes of the scale, Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do. The second is the famous song "Do Re Mi" from the musical "The Sound of Music", which makes a song out of the basic notes of the scale. The basic chorus lyrics to this song are below :
Do Re Mi
DO, a deer, a female deer
RE, a drop of golden sun
MI, a name I call myself
FA, a long, long way to run
SOL, a needle pulling thread
LA, a note to follow Sol
TI, I drink with jam and bread
and it brings us back to Do, do, do, do....
major_scale_-_doremifasollatido.wma | |
File Size: | 337 kb |
File Type: | wma |
do_re_mi.wma | |
File Size: | 1212 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 9, 2020 :
Can you guess the song name of each of the 8 melodies played on the piano?
guess_the_melody.wma | |
File Size: | 1738 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 8, 2020 :
Here is today's song upload, a medley of the Alphabet Song, Twinkle Twinkle and Baa Baa Black Sheep. Can you figure out what is the same in each song?
medley_-_abc_-_twinkle_-_baa_baa_black_sheep.wma | |
File Size: | 1176 kb |
File Type: | wma |
April 6, 2020 :
This first song is "This little light of mine", which we sang at the Holiday Concert, so all Kindergarten students should know it. Here are the lyrics (audio file below) :
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine!
Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
this_little_light_of_mine.wma | |
File Size: | 1253 kb |
File Type: | wma |