Folk Song Lyrics
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
French Folk Song
Here is a staircase so steep and so tall;
Here in my hand is a red rubber ball;
See how I make it go hippity-hop!
See how I throw it way up to the top!
Here is comes down again, cloppity-clop!
Here is a staircase so steep and so tall;
Here in my hand is a red rubber ball;
See how I make it go hippity-hop!
See how I throw it way up to the top!
Here is comes down again, cloppity-clop!
Lightly Row
Lightly row, lightly row,
O'er the glassy waves we go!
Smoothly glide, smoothly glide,
On the silent tide!
Let the winds and waters be
Mingled with our melody.
Sing and float, sing and float
In our little boat!
Far away, far away,
Echo in the rock at play;
Calleth not, calleth not,
To this lonely spot.
Only with the seabirds' note
Shall our happy music float.
Lightly row, lightly row,
In our little boat!
Lightly row, lightly row,
O'er the glassy waves we go!
Smoothly glide, smoothly glide,
On the silent tide!
Let the winds and waters be
Mingled with our melody.
Sing and float, sing and float
In our little boat!
Far away, far away,
Echo in the rock at play;
Calleth not, calleth not,
To this lonely spot.
Only with the seabirds' note
Shall our happy music float.
Lightly row, lightly row,
In our little boat!
Song of the Wind
Listen to the sound of wind, I hear it in the trees
Hear it in the trees
See it in the branches bending, leaves and blossoms swirling down
See it in the leaves and blossoms swirling to the ground
Listen to the sound of wind, I hear it in the trees
Hear it in the trees
See it in the branches bending, leaves and blossoms swirling down
See it in the leaves and blossoms swirling to the ground
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead.
The one she was saving, the one she was saving,
The one she was saving to make a featherbed.
The gander's a-mounrning, the gander's a-mourning,
The gander's a-mourning because his wife is dead.
The goslings are weeping, the goslings are weeping,
The goslings are weeping because their mammy's dead.
She died in the millpond, she died in the millpond,
She died in the millpond from standing on her head.
She died of the smallpox, she died of the smallpox,
She died of the smallpox that's what the doctor said.
Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead.
Alternate Version:
Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed
He had some popcorn, and some chocolate bars
And peanut-butter, on his bread
Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed.
Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead.
The one she was saving, the one she was saving,
The one she was saving to make a featherbed.
The gander's a-mounrning, the gander's a-mourning,
The gander's a-mourning because his wife is dead.
The goslings are weeping, the goslings are weeping,
The goslings are weeping because their mammy's dead.
She died in the millpond, she died in the millpond,
She died in the millpond from standing on her head.
She died of the smallpox, she died of the smallpox,
She died of the smallpox that's what the doctor said.
Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead.
Alternate Version:
Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed
He had some popcorn, and some chocolate bars
And peanut-butter, on his bread
Go tell aunt Rhody, John is sick in bed
Go tell the doctor, John is sick in bed.
O Come, Little Children
O come, little children, O come one and all,
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small,
God's son for a gift has been sent you this night
To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.
He's born in a stable for you and for me,
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild,
And purer than angels the heavenly Child.
See Mary and Joseph, with love beaming eyes,
Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies,
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love
While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.
Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they
Rejoice that a Saviour from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host.
O come, little children, O come one and all,
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small,
God's son for a gift has been sent you this night
To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.
He's born in a stable for you and for me,
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild,
And purer than angels the heavenly Child.
See Mary and Joseph, with love beaming eyes,
Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies,
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love
While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.
Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they
Rejoice that a Saviour from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host.
May Song
I found more than one translation for the lyrics (listed in no particular order below), which were originally from "Alle Vögel sind schon da". This is one of the most famous German spring and children's songs. The lyrics were written in 1835 by Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798-1874) and published in his poems in 1837.
Version One (German):
Alle Vögel sind schon da,
Alle Vögel, alle.
Welch ein Singen,Musizier'n,
Pfeifen, Zwitschern,Tirilier'n!
Frühling will nun einmarschier'n,
Kommt mit Sang und Schalle.
Wie sie alle lustig sind,
Flink und froh sich regen!
Amsel, Drossel, Fink und Star
Und die ganze Vogelschar
Wünschen uns ein frohes Jahr,
Lauter Heil und Segen.
Was sie uns verkünden nun,
Nehmen wir zu Herzen:
Wir auch wollen lustig sein,
Lustig wie die Vögelein;
Hier und dort, feldaus, feldein,
Singen, springen, scherzen.
Version Two:
Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing
Red and yellow purple and white
Oh my what a beautiful sight
Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing.
Version Three:
Spring is here, the birds are so near, listen to their singing.
Black and yellow, purple and blue,
Sing their pretty song just for you.
Spring is here, the birds are so near, listen to their singing.
Version Four:
All the birds already here,
All the birds together!
What a singing, music-making,
Whistling, chirping, trilling!
Spring at last now marching in
Comes with chant and clangour.
How cheerful they all are,
Stirring nimbly, joyfully!
Blackbird, thrush and finch and starling,
And all the flocks of birds
Wish you a happy new year,
So much luck and blessing.
What they herald to us now,
Goes straight to our hearts:
We want to be happy, too,
Happy like the little birds,
Here and there, in the fields and out,
Singing, jumping, joking around.
https://lyricstranslate.com
Version Five:
All the birds are already there,
All birds, all.
What singing, making music,
Whistling, chirping, trilling!
Spring wants to march in now
Come with song and sound.
how funny they all are
Quick and happy to rain!
blackbird, thrush, finch and starling
And the whole flock of birds
wish us a happy year
Lots of salvation and blessings.
what they tell us now
Let's take it to heart:
We also want to be funny
Merry as the little birds;
Here and there, field out, field in,
Sing, jump, joke.
I found more than one translation for the lyrics (listed in no particular order below), which were originally from "Alle Vögel sind schon da". This is one of the most famous German spring and children's songs. The lyrics were written in 1835 by Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798-1874) and published in his poems in 1837.
Version One (German):
Alle Vögel sind schon da,
Alle Vögel, alle.
Welch ein Singen,Musizier'n,
Pfeifen, Zwitschern,Tirilier'n!
Frühling will nun einmarschier'n,
Kommt mit Sang und Schalle.
Wie sie alle lustig sind,
Flink und froh sich regen!
Amsel, Drossel, Fink und Star
Und die ganze Vogelschar
Wünschen uns ein frohes Jahr,
Lauter Heil und Segen.
Was sie uns verkünden nun,
Nehmen wir zu Herzen:
Wir auch wollen lustig sein,
Lustig wie die Vögelein;
Hier und dort, feldaus, feldein,
Singen, springen, scherzen.
Version Two:
Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing
Red and yellow purple and white
Oh my what a beautiful sight
Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing.
Version Three:
Spring is here, the birds are so near, listen to their singing.
Black and yellow, purple and blue,
Sing their pretty song just for you.
Spring is here, the birds are so near, listen to their singing.
Version Four:
All the birds already here,
All the birds together!
What a singing, music-making,
Whistling, chirping, trilling!
Spring at last now marching in
Comes with chant and clangour.
How cheerful they all are,
Stirring nimbly, joyfully!
Blackbird, thrush and finch and starling,
And all the flocks of birds
Wish you a happy new year,
So much luck and blessing.
What they herald to us now,
Goes straight to our hearts:
We want to be happy, too,
Happy like the little birds,
Here and there, in the fields and out,
Singing, jumping, joking around.
https://lyricstranslate.com
Version Five:
All the birds are already there,
All birds, all.
What singing, making music,
Whistling, chirping, trilling!
Spring wants to march in now
Come with song and sound.
how funny they all are
Quick and happy to rain!
blackbird, thrush, finch and starling
And the whole flock of birds
wish us a happy year
Lots of salvation and blessings.
what they tell us now
Let's take it to heart:
We also want to be funny
Merry as the little birds;
Here and there, field out, field in,
Sing, jump, joke.
Long, Long Ago
(see page on T. H. Bayly)
(see page on T. H. Bayly)
Bohemian Folk Song
Gone are the swallows from field and hill;
Where robins and all the trees are still;
Woods are bare everywhere;
Loud cries the bluejay behind the mill;
Where the dry dead leaves lie;
Where robins and all the trees are still.
Gone are the swallows from field and hill;
Where robins and all the trees are still;
Woods are bare everywhere;
Loud cries the bluejay behind the mill;
Where the dry dead leaves lie;
Where robins and all the trees are still.
Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus"
I found a great arrangement here: https://hymnary.org/hymn/PH1990/122
(website accessed Feb 22, 2023)
1 Thine is the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment
Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave clothes
Where Thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine is the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won.
2 Lo! Jesus meets us,
Risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us,
Scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness
Hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth;
Death hath lost its sting.
[Refrain]
3 No more we doubt Thee,
Glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without Thee;
Aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
Through Thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan
To Thy home above.
[Refrain]
I found a great arrangement here: https://hymnary.org/hymn/PH1990/122
(website accessed Feb 22, 2023)
1 Thine is the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment
Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave clothes
Where Thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine is the glory,
Risen, conquering Son;
Endless is the victory
Thou o’er death hast won.
2 Lo! Jesus meets us,
Risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us,
Scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness
Hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth;
Death hath lost its sting.
[Refrain]
3 No more we doubt Thee,
Glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without Thee;
Aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
Through Thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan
To Thy home above.
[Refrain]
The Two Grenadiers
'Die Beiden Grenadiere' is one of Robert Schumann's most famous songs. Its text is derived from Heine's 'Die Grenadiere', which details his witness in Düsseldorf to the return of the French prisoners of war from Russia. See a performance of this on the Schumann page.
Two grenadiers were returning to France,
From Russian captivity they came.
And as they crossed into German lands
They hung their heads in shame.
Both heard there the tale that they dreaded most,
That France had been conquered in war;
Defeated and shattered, that once proud host,
And the Emperor, a free man no more.
The grenadiers both started to weep
At hearing so sad a review.
The first said, "My pain is too deep;
My old wound is burning anew!"
The other said, "The song is done;
Like you, I'd not stay alive;
But at home I have wife and son,
Who without me would not survive."
What matters son? What matters wife?
By nobler needs I set store;
Let them go beg to sustain their life!
My Emperor, a free man no more!
Promise me, brother, one request:
If at this time I should die,
Take my corpse to France for its final rest;
In France's dear earth let me lie.
The Cross of Valour, on its red band,
Over my heart you shall lay;
My musket place into my hand;
And my sword at my side display.
So shall I lie and hark in the ground,
A guardwatch, silently staying
Till once more I hear the cannon's pound
And the hoofbeats of horses neighing.
Then my Emperor'll be passing right over my grave;
Each clashing sword, a flashing reflector.
And I, fully armed, will rise up from that grave,
The Emperor's, the Emperor's protector!"
'Die Beiden Grenadiere' is one of Robert Schumann's most famous songs. Its text is derived from Heine's 'Die Grenadiere', which details his witness in Düsseldorf to the return of the French prisoners of war from Russia. See a performance of this on the Schumann page.
Two grenadiers were returning to France,
From Russian captivity they came.
And as they crossed into German lands
They hung their heads in shame.
Both heard there the tale that they dreaded most,
That France had been conquered in war;
Defeated and shattered, that once proud host,
And the Emperor, a free man no more.
The grenadiers both started to weep
At hearing so sad a review.
The first said, "My pain is too deep;
My old wound is burning anew!"
The other said, "The song is done;
Like you, I'd not stay alive;
But at home I have wife and son,
Who without me would not survive."
What matters son? What matters wife?
By nobler needs I set store;
Let them go beg to sustain their life!
My Emperor, a free man no more!
Promise me, brother, one request:
If at this time I should die,
Take my corpse to France for its final rest;
In France's dear earth let me lie.
The Cross of Valour, on its red band,
Over my heart you shall lay;
My musket place into my hand;
And my sword at my side display.
So shall I lie and hark in the ground,
A guardwatch, silently staying
Till once more I hear the cannon's pound
And the hoofbeats of horses neighing.
Then my Emperor'll be passing right over my grave;
Each clashing sword, a flashing reflector.
And I, fully armed, will rise up from that grave,
The Emperor's, the Emperor's protector!"