Songs for
a better world A-D
A
child’s life ***
A
jewel in the universe / Hear the stars sing***
A
plea for one world
A
skip in our feet ***
A
rainbow is a song ***
Ahmed’s
smile***
Alien’s
are coming ***
As we
leave this friendly place
Away
with waste***
Be a
friend ***
Be
kind ***
Be
kind to one another***
Bound
for the promised land
Bread
and fishes
Clean
it up! ***
Cold
water
Last updated: 8/7/2023
9:22 AM
The songs below are compiled and adapted by Dany
Rosevear
*** Original songs
by Dany Rosevear
Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home
To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the
author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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A child’s life 🔊
A song for the universal child. Look after your kids and you look
after the world. Parenting is a challenge at times
and we don’t always ‘get it right’ for none of us are perfect but don’t lose
heart just do the very best you can!! I was lucky to have had a pretty
good childhood with the freedom to roam in both the town and countryside and
beaches at a young age: jumping in haystacks, dipping for tiddlers and out on
my bike picking blackberries, the list is long. We only have one childhood and it
makes us who we are, a good one should be the heritage of every child. The last verse can be adapted to
suit the background / environment of your children. The activities in this
song are ones my grandchildren love to do; be sensitive to the needs of
children who are not so able or lucky enough to take part in such pursuits. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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If a child knows kindness and laughter, If a child feels treasured and dear; If a child has care, food and shelter, It will surely grow up in a world without tears. It’s a child’s life! So get it right! Sow love, hope and joy, grow beauty and light. Ev’ry child needs to sing in the sunshine, Ev’ry child needs to run in the rain; Ev’ry child needs to stamp in a puddle, Then sing and shout, dance about, again and again. It’s a child’s life! So get it right! Sow love, hope and joy, grow beauty and light. Ev’ry child needs a story at bedtime, Ev’ry child needs to climb up a tree; Ev’ry child needs to search in the rock pools, To eagerly learn in a world wild and free. It’s a child’s life! So get it right! Sow love, hope and joy, grow beauty and light. |
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A jewel in the universe / Hear the stars sing 🔊
Imagine the stars could speak…What might
they say? Our planet is unique in the universe; we need to look after it! Written by Dany Rosevear with help
and ideas from my eldest grandson. This adapted tune might very well be a
familiar one and is very popular with my eldest grandson who hums it all the
time and loves to dress up as Darth Vader. It is adapted here with apologies
by Dany Rosevear. |
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Stars shine, up in the universe, Shining so brightly, in the dark night. Tell me stars, what can you see up there, Out in the universe, all blazing with light? Shooting stars, comets and asteroids, Suns, moons and planets, zoom and spin round. Great black holes, billions of galaxies, The wonderful Milky Way, where Earth can be found. Stars shine, up in the universe Shining so brightly, in the dark night. Tell me stars, what can you see down here, Down on our lovely Earth, our own paradise? Oceans blue, forests and islands green, Ice caps and glaciers, mountains sky high, Volcanos, rivers and waterfalls, A jewel in the universe just teeming with life. Stars shine, up in the universe, Shining so brightly, in the dark night. Tell me stars, what must we do down here, Down on our lovely Earth, to keep it’s delights? Take good care, care of your neighbourhoods, Wasting less water, recycle and mend, Plant a tree, use clean energy, Travel responsibly with family and friends. Little jewel, our jewel in the universe, We’ve now heard the stars sing, twinkle and sing; We’ve listened well, we’ll do what we can to help,
Keeping our Earth home safe, for all living
things, For all living things. Spoken: For you and
me! |
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A plea for one world 🔊
Sing in unison or as a two part
round. It was possibly written by the Jazz
musician Russ Garcia and his wife Gina; they are members of the Baha'i Faith
and promote World Peace. I found it in my collection of books published by
the Cooperative Recreation Service / World Around Songs which suggested this
was a song of the Young Pioneers translated from the Russian. Find out more at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=10191 |
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A plea for one world, Is heard in many different lands. This is a plea of a world That is hungry for peace. When can we all live together? When will we all work together, Striving to make the world better |
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A rainbow is a song 🔊
A rainbow lifts our hearts and
sings to us. A song of welcome where folk from
all walks of life gather in respect, whatever their beliefs, to share their
thoughts, ideas, songs and dreams. A rainbow is a metaphor for so many
things: hope and new beginnings, diversification and acceptance, optimism and
dreaming of better things to come, the list goes on.... Young children can just sing the
first verse as a standalone hand / action play. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. With palms together up high
hands move them outwards and down to make a bow. Sweep arms with palms
together from the right and over the head to the left side. Open and close forefingers
fingers for birds, cross forefingers for bees, cross hands at wrists and flap
for butterfiles. Beckon with both hands. Sweep hands round in a circle to
make sun and wiggle fingers downwards and outwards to send the rain away. |
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A rainbow is a song, dancing out over the sky, Singing to the birds and bees and beautiful
butterflies, “Come out, come out, come out to play; The sun shines bright and the rain’s soon away!” Each seven colours true, with wonderful, magical
hues, Red, orange, yellow, green and blue then indigo,
violet too, “Come out, come out, come out to play; The sun shines bright and the rain’s soon away!” A rainbow flows in each heart, singing to us day
by day, As we tend our world and help our friends in
loving and joyful ways, “Come out, come out, come out to play; The sun shines bright and the rain’s soon away!” Come every rainbow kind, a cheerful, warm welcome
you’ll find, Singing songs of peace and love, in harmony,
spirit and mind. We’ll laugh, we’ll dream, our tunes we’ll play; For the sun is out and the rain’s gone away! |
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Ahmed’s smile 🔊
A story and a prayer for
the universal child. Sometimes a news story
shakes us out of our topor and captures how devastating childhood can be for
so many children in war torn parts of the world. A bleak shell of a school in
Yemen is where Ahmed, a blind nine-year-old with a wonderful smile, teaches a
class of enthusiastic children and gives you a whisper of hope for humanity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-56212929
Words and music Dany
Rosevear. |
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“Child of the world, child of mine, Walk in peace a while, walk in peace my friend.” Little child of Yemen, with eyes that cannot see, Bravery and valour are nothing new to thee; For Ahmed smiles and teases on the rocky road to
school, As his sister leads him onwards to a classroom
bare and cruel. “Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind, Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and
skip and sing!” “Where have all the teachers gone?” the children
call in tears, Nine years old, young Ahmed says “Don’t worry, I
am here!” So clear of voice, so thoughtful, his words ring
sure and true, Every child he teaches listens, in that open
windswept school. “Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind, Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and
skip and sing!” Not one complaint you’ll hear, for this is all
he’s known, In a world of grief and sorrow, where peace and
sense have flown. Bold and calm with courage helping others every
day, With family, friends and neighbours and a heart so
kind and brave. “Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind, Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and
skip and sing!” May you touch the world tomorrow, without a fear
or care, Plant a fragrant garden to perfume the Springtime
air. Listen to wise tales of old as day turns into
night, Dream sweet dreams of better times, sleep safe
‘til morning light. Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind, Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and
skip and sing! Child of the world, child of mine, Walk in peace a while, walk in peace my friend, Walk in peace my friend.” |
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Aliens are coming! 🔊
The aliens are on their way at long
last a holiday, destination Earth. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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In outer space there is a race, To see who can set the fastest pace, A fleet of aliens on their way, Looking forward to a well earned holiday! The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming! For a holiday! Hooray! For a holiday! To a blue and green world that’s ages old, A jewel in the universe, they’ve been told, It’s Earth, our planet, for they have heard, Of snowy mountains high and little birds. Of oceans wide and forests tall, Rivers and streams and waterfalls, With lots of animals, every kind, What will they see there, what will they find? The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming! For a holiday! Hooray! For a holiday! Oh, what a happy little band, They jump up and down and clap their hands As nearer and nearer to Earth they come, Ready for adventure, and worldwide fun! Excited creatures dressed in their best. Look through the window and see - A MESS! The air is polluted from chimneys tall, Cars on the motorways in thousands crawl, Forests are burning, it’s far too hot Ice caps are melting, Earth has LOST THE PLOT! Plastic waste floats out at sea, “Help us!” cry the animals “Help us please!” Spoken What will the aliens do, turn and zoom? Away from the Earth and past the moon? Off to Jupiter, Venus or Mars? Away from the factories, waste and cars?! Then down on Earth through a megaphone A voice cries loud and clear, “Don’t go home, We’d love to see you, you’re welcome here, We’ll clean it up together for a holiday next
year?!!” The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming! For a working holiday! HOORAY! For a working holiday! |
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As we leave this friendly place 🔊
A song of farewell. For those
leaving a precious place, perhaps one day to return. 1. Throw out hand, 2. Make
heart with thumbs and forefingers. Fan hands either side of face. 3. Cross
hand on chest. 4. Make heart then draw hands to chest and cross them. |
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As we leave this friendly place, Love give light to every face; May the kindness which we learn Light our hearts till we return. |
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Away with waste 🔊
And pollution!! A plea for
a return to Eden. Wake up and wise up! Don’t
walk into the dark days; act responsibly and protect our planet for buffalo,
tiger and me. We must change our wasteful
and polluting ways if we and our children wish to live comfortable lives in
the future. There are so many things we can do to make sure our world is fit
for living but we need to do them now. https://www.padstowsealifesafaris.co.uk/plastic-pollution-on-marine-life/
Words and music by Dany
Rosevear. |
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Away with waste in
our oceans, Away
with waste in our seas, Away
with waste in our rivers, Earth
weeps in its dark hour of need. Clean
up for the seal pup, For
octopus, dolphin and me, and me, Refrain:
And bring back, oh, bring back, A
world safe for birds, beasts and bees, For
flowers and hedges and trees, For
buffalo, tiger and me; The
world as it once used to be. Away
with waste in our cities, Away
with our wild wasteful ways, Reduce,
reuse, and recycle! Earth
needs to start a new day. For
plastic trash will last and last, And
find its way down to the sea, the sea, Refrain Away
with all cars using diesel, Keep
factories and energy clean, For
fields, farms and forests are burning Earth
weeps in its dark hour of need. Wake
up and wise up, And
plant many, many more trees, more trees, Refrain |
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Be a friend 🔊
Friends enrich our lives and make
us feel good. For children it is especially important that those they meet
are kind and caring for we all need companionship to help us navigate our
lives as healthy, happy human beings. Friends come and go, some stay
forever but we can appreciate each one however brief their aquaintance. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Be a friend, give a smile, Say, “Hello! stay a while; You’ll be happy when you spread love around. Show you care, lend a hand, Share your tears, make some plans, Listen when everything goes wrong. When you see someone new, Gently ask, “How are you?” Understand if they seem a bit shy. Ask their name, tell them yours, Show them round, play outdoors, Friendship will grow by and by. Arm
in arm, hearts are strong; Make
every day feel worthwhile. Skip
and dance, sing a song, Share
your joy, jog along, Give
comfort to each and ev’ry child. |
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Be kind 🔊
Words and deeds have the power to
bring hurt or happiness;use them carefully and wisely. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Be thoughtful, be caring But most of all be kind; For with kind deeds and warm words Fun and laughter you will find. You must leave behind those mean, mean words, It will brighten up each day, You’ll meet good friends and happy folk, To cheer you on your way. |
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Be kind to one another 🔊
Inspire children in a school assembly or class discussion to consider
way that they can make a difference to the well-being of each other and our
planet. This extremely difficult pandemic has made us see the world as one
entity and how each individual can affect what happens here on earth. Let us hope that thinking can be translated to a more thoughtful
attitude to our own, very dear planet. Let’s make the world smile. Words and music by Dany Rosevear
inspired by the first couplet. |
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Be kind to one another and every living thing, The fish swimming in the water, the bird upon the
wing. Each tiny little creature be it ant or worm or
flea; With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d
like to see. Be kind at play together, you’ll be happy all the
day, Shun careless words and think a while of lovely
things to say. Like brilliant, bravo, well done, how are you,
thank you, please; With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d
like to see. And spread that kindness far and wide, wherever
you would go, Across earth’s mountain ranges, to oceans far
below. To dolphin, whale, orang-utan, each animal in
need; With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d
like to see. So hug a tree, walk barefoot and let the fresh air
in, Appreciate just what we have, show gratitude
within. Then plant a tree, turn off the lights and start a
compost pile; With kindness, care and loving, feel the world give
you a smile! With kindness, care and loving, feel the world
give you a smile! |
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Bound for the promised land 🔊
A song of faith and hope. This old hymn seems very much in
tune with the present day; times are hard but if we try to remain positive
the good times will come once again. During the 1800's waves of
religious revival occurred in America. This song echoes the optimism of the
pioneers who travelled West. The words were written by Samuel
Stennett in 1787 and the tune composed later by M. Durham in 1835. |
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On Jordan's stormy banks I stand And cast a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie. Chorus: I am bound for the promised land, I’m bound for the promised land; Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land. Oh, the transporting rapt'rous scene, That rises to my sight; Sweet fields arrayed in living green, And rivers of Delight. Chorus There generous fruits that never fail, On trees immortal grow; There rocks and hills and brooks and vales, With milk and honey flow. Chorus |
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Bread and fishes 🔊
Or ‘Wind in the willows’. Traveling with a message of hope
and good will. Written by the Lancashire folk
singer Alan Alger Bell Alan
Bell obituary | Folk music | The Guardian The tune possibly has its origins
in an 18th century Irish folk tune. A song is based on the legend that Joseph of Aramathea travelled
through England with Mary and the Christ child after Joseph, the carpenter
and spouse of Mary, died. Sacred
Chalice, Blooming Staff: The Legend of the Glastonbury Thorn – Fellowship
& Fairydust (fellowshipandfairydust.com) It touches a chord as it is also a
universal song of travel and other themes such as sharing; it reminds me of
my youth when I traveled across Turkey with a Dutch friend and the kindness
and friendliness I found in a Kurdish village near Mount Ararat where I was
given a bed and food. |
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As I was a-walking one morning in Spring, I met with some travelers in an old country lane; One was an old man, the second a maid, The third was a young boy who smiled as he said: Chorus With the wind in the willows and the birds in the
sky, There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie, We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine To share on our journey with all of mankind. I asked them to tell me their name and their race, That I might remember their kindness and grace. My name it is Joseph, this is Mary my wife, And this is our young son our pride and delight. But our names they mean nothing, they change
throughout time, Come sit down beside us and share in our wine. Chorus So I sat down beside them, the flow’rs all around, We ate on a mantle spread out on the ground. They told me of peoples and prophets and kings, And they spoke of the one god who knew everything.
Chorus “We are traveling to Glaston, through England's
green lanes, To hear of men's troubles, to hear of their pains; We travel the wide world over land and the sea, To tell all the people how they might be
free." Chorus So sadly I left them, in that old country lane, For I knew that I never would see then again; One was an old man, the second a maid, The third was a young boy who smiled as he said: Chorus |
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Clean it up! 🔊
Imagine the
animals could speak…What might they say? Keep our world clean for everyone and every creature. After the last lockdown I had an eagerly awaited visit from my
grandkids who asked me to write a song about keeping the world clean and
helped to get me started with ideas. It is their generation that will be
affected by our behaviour in the past and what we continue to do now. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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White rabbit sniffs the air, “Clean it up, clean it up!” White rabbit sniffs the air, “Clean it up! For the bird flying high, Plants and critters, you and I, We need fresh air to breathe, Clean it up!” Brown bear roams the land, “Clean it up, clean it up!” Brown bear roams the land, “Clean it up! From Alaska to Iran, There is rubbish left by man; We need that land for food, Clean it up!” Red squirrel climbs the tree, “Clean it up, clean it up!” Red squirrel climbs the tree, “Clean it up! Rainforests, damp and dark, Shady groves, woodlands, parks; We need our trees for shelter, Clean it up!” Pink crab sips the water, “Clean it up, clean it up!” Pink crab sips the water, “Clean it up! In the river, pond or stream, Where the tiny tadpoles teem; We need it fit to drink, Clean it up!” Blue whale sails the oceans wide, “Clean it up, clean it up!” Blue whale sails the oceans wide, “Clean it up! Flotsam, jetsam, spoil; Microplastic waste and oil; We need our sealife happy, Clean it up! To keep us safe and healthy, All of us CLEAN IT UP!” |
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Cold water 🔊
Why is water essential to life on
our Earth? The reasons are many and you’ll find some in this song. Find out
more about the scarcity of water in our world and what we can do to address
this here: Water
Facts - Drop In the Bucket. I can’t think of any thing nicer to
drink, especially in the summer, as a glass of cold water. It is possible
this was written as a prohibition song in the 1930s In the U.S.A. PNW Folklore - Paul Ashford. |
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Cold water, cold water for me; There’s nothing so pure and so free. I’ll go to the brook and I’ll go to the spring, And over the bubbles I’ll merrily sing, “Cold water, cold water, Cold water, cold water for me.” There’s nothing like water to give, The strength that we all need to live. I’ll go to the brook and I’ll go to the spring, And over the bubbles I’ll merrily sing, “Cold water, cold water, Cold water, cold water for me.” |
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