“Before Dinner” is a song from the Democratic Republic of Congo about getting ready for dinnertime. It uses call-and-response; a popular musical technique with origins from Sub-Saharan African traditions.
Pronounced “DWER-me mee te-SOH-roh” “Duerme mi Tesoro” is a Puerto Rican lullaby. Lullabies are songs sung to children to help them fall asleep. The lyrics encourage the child to sleep well, saying that little angels will be watching over them.
Pronounced "DOH-bee AHY-uh," “Dhobi Aaya” is a popular Hindi children's counting song.
The lyrics illustrate a washerman counting out ten pieces of laundry. The clapping in this version aligns with the counting portion of the song.
Pronounced “DOE-doe TEE pee-TEET muh-MUH,” “Dodo ti pitit manman” is a popular Haitian lullaby. The lyrics jokingly warn the little one of being eaten by a crab if they don’t fall asleep, but - fortunately - the sweet melody succeeds in lulling the little one to sleep!
Pronounced “Pez-EEN-yoh,” “Pezinho” is a nursery rhyme that came to Southern Brazil with the immigrants from Açores Island. A staple of Gaúcha culture, Pezinho is both a song and dance that children in the Rio Grande do Sul learn at a very early age. Special celebrations feature children and adults dancing to Pezinho while dressed in traditional attire.
The lyrics of the song describe the dance steps. Visit our website to learn the dance!
Pronounced “ ”, “Alwardat Albayda” is an Iraqi song sung by school children in Arabic. It uses the natural minor scale.
Pronounced “es-KRAV-ohs de JO,” “Escravos de Jó” is a well-known circle game played in all regions of Brazil. Enslaved people used to sing this song in their celebrations while dancing and playing games following the music. This song was prohibited during the slavery period in Brazil, but survived and was orally passed on through generations. To this day, children across the country sing and play games to “Escravos de Jó.”
Pronounced “CHA-mah-mey,” “Chamamé” is the first section of “Enchelación” (“en-chey-lah-see-OHN”). This piece was composed in 2019 by Argentinian composer, cellist, and teacher Fernando Manuel Dieguez. Originally for cello ensemble, Enchelación consists of four movements that each feature a different Latin American rhythm. Although Chamamé comes from the province of Corrientes in Argentina, it has spread to the south of Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Pronounced “SAH-koo-rah,” “Sakura” is a popular traditional Japanese folk song about springtime and the blooming of the national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom. The melody most likely originated during the Edo era (1603-1868), while the lyrics were added in the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The song is based upon the pentatonic (five-note) scale E-F-A-B-C.
Pronounced “moa-lee-hoaah,” “Mò lì huā” is a popular Chinese song that has existed for centuries. It was one of the first Chinese folk songs to be known outside of China. It uses the pentatonic scale D-E-F#-A-B, which is common in Chinese folk music.
Pronounced “ah-ree-rahng,” “Arirang” is a Korean folk song that is hundreds of years old and well-known in Korean culture. People from both Northern and Southern regions of Korea sing it as a symbol of unity. Linguistic experts believe that “arirang” can translate to mean “beloved one” in ancient Korean. The song is based upon the pentatonic scale D-E-G-A-B.
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is a well known African-American spiritual. Its original format used call-and-response, drawing from Sub-Saharan African musical traditions. A leader sings the differentiated lines, and the choir replies, “Comin’ for to carry me home”.