Category: World Songs
Make Tume Tume Papa (Swahili)
This African working song from Mozambique has many variations and is traditionally played as a hand clap game by a group. I have chosen to explore the song using calves so we can feel the 2/4 pulse whilst also working on the important early year’s skill of crossing the midline. Lyrics Swahili Make tume tume…
Epo I Tai Tai E (Polynesian)
This Hawaiian Camp Fire song is a hand clapping game filled with motor movements that encourage steady beat keeping over syncopation (notes that fall off the beat). It’s a great movement warm-up and workout for the brain! Different translations of this song can be found online. If offering a translation, I choose: “We shall not…
Taba Naba (Torres Strait Islands)
Taba Naba is an Indigenous song from the Torres Strait Islands. It has gentle movements that accompany a peaceful melody. The song was made widely popular by the Wiggles. I’ve added a focused instrument play using the finger cymbals and included an English translation to further consolidate the learning. Lyrics Meriam Mir Taba naba naba…
Inanay (Australian)
This beautiful lullaby originates from the Torres Strait Islanders and is sung in Yorta Yorta, the language of one of the Aboriginal Communities. There is no official translation of the lyrics but research suggests it tells the story of shooing a goanna away with a ‘choo’. The actions in this song provide the opportunity for…
Kaeru No Uta Ga (Japanese)
Kaeru No Uta Ga, otherwise known as the Japanese Frog Song is a firm favourite in this house! Bilingual experiences in early childhood have been linked to improved cognitive abilities and problem-solving. The repetition of the “Gwa” lyric is the perfect invitation for little ones to sing along with you and by adding instruments to…
Obwisana (Ghanaian)
Lyrics Obwisana sa nana,Obwisana sa.Obwisana sa nana,Obwisana sa.
Bim Bam, Biri, Biri, Bam (Yiddish)
Lyrics Bim bam, biri, biri, bam.Biri, biri bim bam, biri, biri, bam.Bim bam, bim bam, bim bam, biri, biri, bam.Bim bam, bim bam, bim bam, biri, biri, bam.
