Songs for a better world U-Z

 

Welcome in the new day

What do we plant when we plant a tree?

What have they done to the rain?

Where the cows jump over the moon

Where have the seals gone?

Wild, wild child

 

Last updated: 10/3/2022 9:46 AM

The songs below are compiled, adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

*** Original songs by Dany Rosevear

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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.


 

 

 

Welcome in the new day 🔊

 

 


Listening to a list of ‘kind’ words on a recent song of mine one of my granddaughters felt strongly that ‘welcome’ should have been on that list as it was definitely a word that made others feel good. This song hopefully highlights how important it is to encourage children, such those from other communities, to feel included and comfortable in the group’s setting.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Choose other words of welcome relevant to a child’s first or second language or a topical theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We’re here to welcome, we’re here to welcome.

To welcome in the new day. / week / year

For once again we’ll see all our friends

Together in work and play.

And we’ll welcome, welcome,

Welcome each other this way:

Bienvenue, willcommen, witamy, hoş geldin,

So happy you’re here today!


 

 

 

What do we plant when we plant a tree? 🔊

 

 


Inspired by a poem written by Henry Abbey. Music and second verse by Dany Rosevear.

‘A child who kneels to plant a tree rises richer from the ground.’ Theresa StevensHe that plants trees loves other besides himself.’ Find more quotes here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


What do we plant, when we plant a tree?

A thousand things that we daily see;

We plant the ship, which will cross the sea.

We plant the house for both you and me.

We plant the shade, from the hot sun free;

We plant all these, when we plant a tree.

 

As those who plant kindness gather up love,

So those who plant trees cleanse the air up above;

And shelter the wildlife of our natural world,

And give us wellbeing and a future unspoiled;

Simply walk in the wood and think deep my dear child,

We plant all this, when we plant a tree.


 

 

What have they done to the rain? 🔊

 

 


A song composed by Malvina Reynolds in 1962 and still relevant today. It was written for the protest movement against nuclear testing in the atmosphere and its subsequent fallout; it had a particular resonance in the wake of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WW2.

We should take heed of the mistakes made in the past and ensure that  we do better to give our world a safe future and to keep the air clean for those of us who live there.

Malvina Reynolds has written many other thoughtful songs.

Another from my 1960s notebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Just a little rain falling all around,

The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound,

Just a little rain, just a little rain,

What have they done to the rain?

 

Just a little boy standing in the rain,

The gentle rain that falls for years.

And the grass is gone and the boy disappears,

And rain keeps falling like helpless tears,

And what have they done to the rain?

 

Just a little breeze out of the sky,

The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by,

Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye,

What have they done to the rain?


 

 

Where the cows jump over the moon 🔊

 


 

 

A celebration of the nursery rhyme; to celebrate the joy and happiness that blooms whenever we hear music.

For the young child, apart from the rhythm of the heartbeat in the womb, music begins with lullabies and nursery rhymes, indeed these forms are so entrenched in our heart that they have been used by composers as a base for their classical compositions throughout time.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Hold on, hold on to the wonder of song,

Never let those nurs’ry rhymes go;

When tomorrow comes with the morning sun,

Feel their warmth and magical glow.

 

Come out and play, dance down our way,

Where the little birds whistle sweet tunes.

Come out and play, dance down our way,

Where the cows jump over the moon.

 

Whistle or la, ‘Pop goes the weasel!”

Repeat song.


 

 

 

Where have the seals gone? 🔊

 

 


A song written in the 1980s but still very pertinent today.

Seal population in the past declined as they were killed in huge numbers for their blubber, meat and pelts. Despite laws to protect them this continues to be an issue and furthermore climate change is now leading to high pup mortality in the Arctic.

There is hope for some creatures in danger such as the beaver as it is once again returned to its natural habitat. If there is hope for their survival there will be hope for us all as an integral part of the natural world.

Words and melody by Brian Fitzgerald.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Where have the seals gone? Where are the whales?

That once used our waters before there were sails?

Where are the emus that once used to roam

The fields and the forests we’ve turned into home?

 

CHORUS

They’ve all gone a-way as the sun turns to rain.

I live here and wonder will they ever

Come again, come again, come again?

 

Where have the seals gone? Where are the whales?

That once used our waters before there were sails?

Where are the people who lived here before

And how is it, tell me, they’re not here any more?

 


 

 

 

Wild, wild child 🔊

 

 


Use that wonderful energy to dance and have fun with friends.

We all have pent up energy at times and one way to make the most of it is to dance; dance and move freely encouraging others to join in.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

 

Dance freely changing actions as suggested by the words. Dance on your own and then with others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I’m a wild, wild child

When I listen to the music,

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m dancing on my feet;

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m singing and a-moving;

Wild child, wild child,

Feel the friendly beat.

Come on in! Come on in!

There’s a wild child in you

When you’ve got that crazy beat!

 

I’m a wild, wild child

When I listen to the music,

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m clapping with my hands;

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m singing and a-moving;

Wild child, wild child,

Dance because you can.

Come on in! Come on in!

There’s a wild child in you

When you’re dancing with your friends!

 

I’m a wild, wild child

When I listen to the music,

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m jumping like a clown;

I’m a wild, wild child

When I’m singing and a-moving;

Wild child, wild child,

Wave your hands around.

Come on in! Come on in!

There’s a wild child in you

Dance until the sun goes down.

 


 

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