Songs for
a better world Thi
This pretty planet
Tiffy one and Tiffy two
Time just slips away
Tiritomba
Treasure
Treasure hunt
Tree of hope
Two little boats
Last updated: 3/20/2023
9:38 AM
The songs below are compiled, adapted and
illustrated 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
You
are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
following conditions:
·
you must give the original author credit
·
you may not use this work for commercial purposes
·
for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the
licence terms of this work
·
any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright
holder
Your
fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.
This pretty planet 🔊 This wonderful song by Tom Chapin
is more usually sung as a round. It is also sung as a lullaby. This amazing song went round the entire world
when it was one of the songs used to wake up the astronauts, including John
Glen, on the Discovery 7 space shuttle! 1.Make a
ball with hands, roll forearms round each other. 2. Make flower round face,
arms make waves, hands together as in prayer. 3. Lift arms up and outwards,
as in first line. 4. Hands to cheek, hold arms, Lift arms up and outwards. |
This pretty planet, spinning through space, Your garden, your harbour, your holy place. Golden sun going down, Gentle blue giant spin us around. All through the night, Safe ‘til the morning light. |
Tiffy one and Tiffy two 🔊 Here’s one for the
saints and singers among us. Which one are you?! Every child needs to feel
loved however they might have behaved; they need to know that in good or bad
times someone will always be there for them. There are discussion
points here to decide why some behaviours might be deemed ‘good’ or
‘inconsiderate’. Change ‘Tiffy’ to a
child’s name or one chosen by that child and insert behaviours that might be
relevant to a class or family group. Words and music by
Dany Rosevear inspired by a lively family visit. Raise a finger
each time a number is sung. Make expressive
faces or actions for each behaviour. |
Tiffy two’s a crosspatch too!
Tiffy three shares chips with me,
Tiffy four stamps on the floor!
Tiffy five sings lullabies, (Golden
slumbers interlude)
Tiffy six is up to tricks!
Tiffy seven was made in heaven,
Tiffy eight is always late!
Tiffy nine is very kind,
Tiffy ten’s in trouble again!
Tiffy ten or Tiffy nine,
Smile or scowl you’re always mine.
Growly grumps or cheerful you,
Happy hours or hullabaloo,
Love you, love you, yes I do!
Time just slips away 🔊 A nostalgic song - old friends,
what would we do without them! We make friends throughout out
lives and many we remember with great affection. As for many children, my father was
in the RAF, there was constant movement throughout my childhood; sad though
it was to leave friends behind there was always the excitement of making new
ones. As I got older it was much easier to keep in touch in one way or
another with those left behind; and even if decades had past, easy to pick up
the familiar threads that bound us once we met again. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
We need to talk, we need to walk, We need a friend indeed; At work or play to share the day, To help us on our way. But time slips by, the minutes fly, The weeks, the hours each day, Though love’s still there, And we really care, Time! Time! Time! Time! Time! Time! Time just slips away. |
Tiritomba 🔊 An Italian folk song and a cheerful song of the open air. It is also a
popular camp song and I became familiar with it at an International work camp
in Turkey when I was a young student in the 1960s. The English words here are by Fred Rendell. |
Far above us, far
above the sun is shining, As we climb the
mountain pathway. High above us, high
above the sun is shining, As it warms us on its
way. Chorus: Tiritomba, Tiritomba,
It’s the open air for you and me, Tiritomba, Tiritomba,
Now at last we can be free! In the clear sky we
can see the eagle soaring; As he scans the hill
below him. On his broad wings we
could fly away for ever; And never have to
rest. Chorus Far away there we can
see the river flowing, With the hills and
trees beside it. It will cool us as we
rest beside the waters, On our journey to the
west. Chorus |
Treasure 🔊 What is true treasure, the
inheritance we wish to leave our children and grandchildren? It’s Autumn here and there’s
treasure to be found: conkers, fallen leaves, acorns, watching squirrels
collect store them. Each season brings its treasure. In our commercial world treasure is
often defined as precious metal and gems rather than being thought of in a
wider context as things we do for each other, nature’s harvest and our
environment. Look around and name things that
might be precious to us individually and discuss your reasons for such a
choice. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
Let the children dream of a world that’s green, A world full of trees growing high; Where treasure’s not gold but the hills of old, Long walks on the wild, wild side. Together awhile where there’s laughter and
smiles, And nights under the starry skies. Let the children play and discover each day, Where all kinds of books can be found; Where treasure’s not gold but great stories told, Where wisdom and wonder abound; Where words ripple along as a river rolls on, Weaving magical strands around. Let the children go
where the fair winds blow, Where good health and
happiness thrive; Where treasure’s not
gold but kind hands to hold, Where love helps each
day go by. Where rainbows leap on
through the big beyond, And brave hearts take
wing and fly. |
Treasure hunt 🔊 A post nature walk circle game.
Recognise nature’s treasures in your surroundings. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. Children need to appreciate what we have been gifted in this wonderful world of ours before they can start understanding the fragility of our ecosystems and the need to preserve its longevity. Start with that step out of doors. Children will need firm guidance on which things they can collect on a ‘nature walk’ and what should be left undisturbed but drawn or pictured in their mind. Some ideas: Stop every so often and
count - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Can you name five treasures? Spring: lichen on a twig, moss, new
leaf, sticky buds, blossom Summer: dandelion clocks, feathers,
ladybirds, blade of grass, nettle Autumn: acorns, conker cases, coloured leaves, elderberries, old man’s
beard Winter: fir cones, bark, evergreen
leaves, skeleton leaves, pebbles Alternatively: Play I-Spy or a colour / texture hunt I love the
imagination hunt suggested by the woodland trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/01/nature-scavenger-hunts/
A partner song that would work well
with this is ‘Look up,
look down’ Once back in the classroom from a nature walk
each child holds their treasure, drawn, imagined or otherwise hidden in their
hand. Children walk round first one way then back in a circle then take turns
to enter the circle and say three things about their find, the others guess
what it might be. |
Let’s go walking, Walking, walking, Let’s go walking We’ll see nature’s
treasures all around; When we walk back
again, Back again, back
again, When we walk back
again, We’ll draw all the
treasures we have found. |
Tree of hope 🔊 ‘A tree of hope’ is
often used by charities to raise the profile of those in need. This song was
inspired by an Ukranian arts project in Exeter that I pass on my way to swim,
there was a tree of hope standing in its window. This song is an appreciation
of the wonderful work that so many volunteers out there do every day to give
hope to so many. The tree is also the
strength and warmth that lives in all of us, the dove our hearts / conscience
that gives us hope when we gather together to talk about injustice and help
others. Words and music by
Dany Rosevear. |
There’s a tree, a mighty
tree,
A tree of hope where you can
find;
A steadfast strength and
comfort
Seeking good for every kind.
Way up high in its branches
Sits a little white dove,
Gather round and listen well,
For it speaks of peace and
love.
Gather round and listen well,
For it speaks of peace and
love.
Two little boats 🔊 For all those
wanderers on epic journeys. A song inspired by
recent sad events and strands of family history. Words and music by
Dany Rosevear. Epic journeys have
been common since humans began on the African continent, we are a wandering
race for all sorts of reasons. At this time of year
we think of biblical stories such as the journey of the Magi, Mary and
Joseph's trek to Bethlehem and their flight into Egypt; there are also
magnificent journeys in the Old Testament and the scriptures of other
religions. In my family one
Grandmother fled Russia during the Russian revolution, my other grandparent
escaped famine in Ireland, her three daughters married immigrants from a
Poland, Italy and France all with their own tales to tell. My Polish father
made an epic journey from a Russian gulag camp to England via Iran and
Palestine with ‘General
Anders' army. In both the the UK
and USA many families have similar tales to tell – all of us are immigrants
or descendants of immigrants even if from the far distant past. Sadly there are
still many perilous journeys being taken to escape danger and poverty all
over the world. |
There’s a star shining
bright,
Way up high in the night;
Follow that star in its
heavenly flight.
Where will it go?
Does anybody know?
But we know by its light,
There is safety in sight.
Off we sail in two darling
little boats,
Bobbing across starlit seas;
One is called Courage, the
other one Hope,
Carry us to sweet liberty.
Chorus
Speed little boats, set your
sails to the wind,
Run swiftly across stormy
seas;
We’ll shout and we’ll sing as
a new day begins,
For our hearts will be easy
and free.
Chorus
Thank you, dear star for your
kindly guiding light,
Thank you for calming our
fears,
For your comfort and presence
this very long, dark night,
As the shore nears we weep
joyful tears.
Chorus
Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home