Seasonal
songs
Spring
A-B
A
fuzzy little caterpillar
A
happy hug and kiss
A
happy song for a Spring day
A
hundred furry kittens
A
little garden flower
A
little seed
A
little yellow cup
A
spade for a gardener
A
speckled green frog
A
Spring song
A
sweet little robin
A
tiny cupful of sun
An
egg for Easter
Apple
trees in bloom
April
is a rainbow month
Baby
seed song
Best
of friends
Blackbird,
blackbird
Blossom
on the plum
Bluebells
Buttercups
and daisies (2)
Butterfly
song
Also find poems and songs at:
Last updated: 2/27/2023
10:16 AM
The songs below are part of ‘Away we
go’ compiled, adapted and
illustrated by Dany Rosevear
Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page
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.
|
A fuzzy little caterpillar 🔊
A life cycle hand play. The wonder
of transformation from an egg to a butterfly. Set to Incy Wincy Spider and
arranged by Dany Rosevear. 1. Wiggle then curl finger
and place on palm of hand. 2. Roll forefingers over each other. Pace hands to
one cheek. 3. Cross forefingers and flap.4. Stretch arms. Flap hands linked
by thumbs. |
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A fuzzy little caterpillar Curled up on a leaf, Spun herself a chrysalis And then fell fast asleep. While she was a-sleeping She dreamt that she could fly, And later when she woke up - She was a butterfly! |
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A happy hug and kiss 🔊
A song for St Valentine’s Day or
any other time. Based on Malvina Reynolds ‘Magic Penny’. |
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A happy hug and kiss Oh, a hug is not a hug, until you give it away, Give it away, give it away, A hug is not a hug, until you give it away, It will come right back to you! A kiss is not a kiss, until you give it away, Give it away, give it away, A kiss is not a kiss, until you give it away, It will come right back to you! Happiness is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away, Happiness is something if you give it away, It will come right back to you! |
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A happy song for a Spring day 🔊
An action song from Israel, words
by Rosemary Jaques from ‘Catch a song’ published 1988. Music arranged by Dany
Rosevear. Move to the music as suggested by the words. |
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One day as they walked along, Briskly walked along, Some children sang this happy song, Sang this very happy song. Hey! Yum pa pa, Yum pa pa, Yum pa pa, Yum pa pa. What a very happy song for a Spring day. One day as they skipped along… One day as they jumped along… |
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A hundred furry kittens 🔊
Or ‘The wish’. When pussy willow
shows its furry gown you know that Spring is just round the corner. Encourage
children to stroke the pussy willow and to feel it on their cheek. Author unknown. Music by Dany
Rosevear. |
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A hundred furry kittens On a pussy willow tree; I wish they'd all turn into cats And come play with me. Who will tell us Spring is here? Pussy-Will-O! Pussy-Will-O! |
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A little garden flower 🔊
Springtime magic – a hand play. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Cup hands, place to cheek. 2. Lift hands up to make the sun shine.
3. Dance fingers downwards. 4. Open cupped hands and move upwards round face. |
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A little garden flower Is lying in its bed. A warm Spring sun Is shining overhead. Down came the raindrops Dancing to and fro; The little flower wakens And then begins to grow. |
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A little seed O
A poem by Mabel Watts with music by
Kay Stratton. Children
love nothing better than seeing their own planted seeds grow; try sunflowers
for utter amazement or vegetables to make into a salad dish – lettuce will
grows profusely. |
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A little seed for me to sow… hold thumb and forefinger together A little earth to make it grow… cup hands together A little hole, a little pat… dig a hole in palm; pat palm A little wish, and that is that. put hands together, throw hands apart A little sun, a little shower, make sun with hands then fingers make rain. A little while and then - a flower! pretend to sleep; cup hands around face like a
flower. |
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A little yellow cup 🔊
A flower that cheers us mightily as
winter ends. Not sure who wrote this dear lttle
poem. I have added a second part and the
tune. |
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A little yellow cup, A little yellow frill, A little yellow star, And that's a daffodil! Daffodils, daffodils,
dance, nod and sway, Dance all the day! Daffodils, daffodils, dance
in the sun, For everyone! |
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A spade for a gardener 🔊
A Spring song from Germany. What is
a gardener without tools? From February onwards gardeners are
outside come sun, wind or rain. Their tools are crucial to prepare the ground
for new plantings. Music arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
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A spade for a gardener, a
rake and a hoe, And you must have a
wat'ring can to make the flowers grow. You must take your little
rake, you must take your hoe, And weed the beds and seed
the beds And watch the flowers grow and
watch the flowers grow! A spade for a gardener for
digging time’s begun, And all the jolly gardeners
are digging in the sun. You must take your little
rake, you must take your hoe, And weed the beds and seed
the beds And watch the flowers grow
and watch the flowers grow! |
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A speckled green frog O
Words by Maude Burnham with music by
Louse B. Scott from ‘Singing Fun’1962. Sing this slowly and expectantly until you get to SNAP! 1. Draw a pond with forefinger and put out right arm. 2. Place curved
hand on arm. 3. With hands next to the eyes open and close right thumb and
forefinger, do the same with both hands then roll both forefingers round. 4.
Make right hand makes a snapping movement, cross both forefingers and look
sad. |
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On the edge of a pond, on a great big log, Sat patiently waiting a speckled green frog, He winked, and he blinked, and he rolled each eye; Then SNAP! went the frog at a little green fly. |
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A Spring song 🔊
A celebration of the new season. This
song has been adapted from its infant school assembly origins to accommodate
a wider, more inclusive secular audience. From ’The nursery song and picture
book’ published 1935 with words by Winifred E. Barnard and music by Eric G.
Barnard. Arranged and adapted by Dany Rosevear. |
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All the flowers are waking, Spring has come again. Waking with the sunshine, And the gentle rain. All the trees are waking, Spring has come again. Waking in the sunshine, And the gentle rain. All the birds are singing, Spring has come again. Singing in the sunshine, Singing in the rain. A verse for winter All the flowers are sleepng Underneath the ground; Sleeping in the winter, Sleeping safe and sound. |
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A sweet
little robin O
There are several versions
(lyrics and melodies) of this song, the most well-known is by Burl Ives. Find
out more at: Mudcat . The tune below comes from ‘Ozark
Folk Songs’ collected and edited by Vance Randolph. The lyrics are mostly
from ‘Book
about birds’ 1850 by Rufus Merill. |
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There came to my window one
morning in Spring, A sweet little robin, she came
there to sing. And the song that she sang, it
was sweeter by far Than ever was heard on a flute
or guitar. ChorusTra
la la la la, Tra la la la la, Tra la la
la la, Tra la la la la la. She raised her light wings to
soar far away; Then resting a moment, seemed
sweetly to say: "Oh happy, how happy the
world seems to be, Awake, dearest child, and be
happy with me.” The sweet bird then mounted upon
a light wing; And flew to a treetop, and there
did she sing: I listened delighted, and hoped
she would stay; And come to my window, at dawn
of the day. |
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A tiny cupful of sun 🔊
Ah! The shine of a buttercup. Put
it under your chin and it will reflect the light so much better than any
other flower. According to children’s folklore if the yellow reflects on your
skin it means you like butter. But of course the shine is there to attract
insects. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Little seeds so small and
round, Hiding underneath the
ground; Winter’s gone and Spring
rain falls, Warm sun shines, summer
calls. Roots push down, shoots
push up, For a dancing field of
bright buttercups! Scattered gold and each
one, A tiny cupful of sun, A shiny cupful of sun! |
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An egg for Easter 🔊
Kindness brings its rewards. A poem
by Irene F. Pawsey Set to music and adapted by Dany Rosevear
from a tune written in 1883 so I am told. |
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I want an egg for Easter, A brownie egg for Easter; I want an egg for Easter, So I'll tell my brownie
hen. I'll take her corn and
water, And show her what I've
brought her, And she'll lay my egg for
Easter, Inside her little pen. |
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Apple trees in bloom 🔊
A Hungarian folk song that can be
sung as a four part round. I first found it in ’50
canons and rounds’ compiled by Harold Newman in 1965, the words of first verse are as sung by Larnie
Melamed. Music arranged by Dany Rosevear. I have also added a second verse,
an alternate translation by Miriam Berg, which is different enough to work
with the other: ‘Sweet the evening air of May.’ This tune may also be familiar to some as ‘Spring has now
unwrapped its flowers’ or ‘Boots of shining leather’. |
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Underneath the rising moon,
Silver mist is dancing, Soft the lilacs sweet
perfume, Fills the night entrancing. White and ghostly in the
gloom, Stands the apple trees in
bloom, Apple trees in bloom, Apple trees in bloom! Sweet the evening air of
May, Soft my cheek caressing, Sweet the unseen lilacs
spray, With its scented blessing. White and ghostly in the
gloom, Shines the apple trees in
bloom, Apple trees in bloom, Apple trees in bloom! |
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April is a rainbow month 🔊
From a poem by Sare Teasdale. Can be used as a handplay. Music by Dany Rosevear. Verse 1. Sweep one hand with
fingers loose in an arch shape. Wiggle fingers downwards. Fingers dance.
Thumbs on chin fingers stretch out. 2. Make roof shape. Open and
close thumb and forefingers, cross hands at wrists and flap. Move hand
undulating across face. Hands make clouds float across face. |
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April is a rainbow month, Of sudden springtime
showers. Bright with golden
daffodils and lots of pretty flowers. The roofs are shining from
the rain, Sparrows twitter as they
fly, And with a windy April
grace The little clouds go by. |
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Baby seed song 🔊
A poem by Edith Nesbit, music by Carey
Bonner; from the book ‘Movement and song for the littlest ones’ published
1959. |
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Little brown seed, oh! little brown brother, Are you awake in the dark? Here we lie cozily, close to each other: Hark to the song of the lark - "Waken!" the lark says, "Waken and
dress you, Put on your green coats and gay; Blue sky will smile on you, sunshine caress you - Waken! 'tis morning - 'tis May!" Little brown seed, oh! little brown brother, What kind of flower will you be? I'll be a poppy - all white, like my mother; Do be a poppy like me. What! you're a sunflower? How I shall miss you When you're grown golden and high! But I shall send all the bees up to kiss you; Little brown brother, good-by! |
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Best of friends 🔊
A loving hand play and little rhyme
for Valentine’s Day and every day from the Spanish speaking world. Set to music and words adapted by
Dany Rosevear. 1. Make heart shape with thumb and
forefingers. 2. Throw out hands. 3.&4. Cross hands over heart. 5.&6.
Throw out hands. Sweep hand away from body. |
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I give to you to say That we are friends, The best of friends, Today and every day, Forever and a day. Un valentin, un valentin Te doy para decir Mejor amigos somos Hoy y para siempre. (forever) |
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Blackbird, blackbird 🔊
A Spring hand
play. Care for our wild
life; explain to children why it is important not to disturb bird nests and
their eggs. This song is
inspired by the words of P. Patterson. Music and
extra verses by Dany Rosevear. 1. Make tree with hand, open and close thumb and forefinger resting on
thumb branch. Cross hands at wrist and flap downwards. 2. Cup hands. Put
finger to lips. Hold up three fingers. 3. Wiggle fingers. Raise three
fingers. Cross forefingers and fly them away. 4. Open and close thumb and
forefinger. Throw out hands. |
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Blackbird, blackbird, on
the high tree, Blackbird, blackbird, fly
down to me. Blackbird, blackbird,
where is your nest? “Shhh! It’s a secret, it
hides three speckled eggs.” Blackbird, blackbird, one
sunny day, Your three little chicks
will fly up and away. Blackbird, blackbird, sing
your sweet song, Blackbird, blackbird, for
Spring has come along. |
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Blossom on the plum 🔊
A Spring poem
by Nora Hopper 1871 - 1906. Music by Max Exner. The first
verse is often played as a round. |
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Blossom on the plum, Wild wind and merry; Leaves upon the cherry, And one swallow come. Red windy dawn, Swift rain and sunny; Wild bees seeking honey, Crocus on the lawn; Blossom on the plum, Grass begins to grow, Dandelions come; Snowdrops haste to go After last month's snow; Rough winds beat and blow. Blossom on the plum, Wild wind and merry; Leaves upon the cherry, And one swallow come. |
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Bluebells 🔊
A song for
April or Maytime. From the book
‘Movement and song for the littlest ones’ published 1959. Based on a poem by
Rodney Bennett and a Czecho-Slovakian melody. Adapted and
arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
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To the greenwood we will
go, Where the dancing
bluebells blow. Don’t you hear them gaily
ringing, In the wind of April
(Maytime) singing? This is what the bluebells
say: “Children, children come
out to play.” |
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Buttercups and daisies 🔊
A poem by
Mary Howitt 17991888.
The language has been adapted over the years and a third verse added. I am
not sure who wrote this tune. |
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Buttercups and daisies,
oh, the pretty flowers! Coming in the springtime to
tell of sunny hours. While the trees are
leafless, while the fields are bare, Buttercups and daisies
spring up here and there. Before the snowdrop
peepeth or the crocus bold, Before the early primrose
opes its paly gold Somewhere on the sunny
bank buttercups are bright; Somewhere in the frozen
grass peeps the daisy white. Welome, yellow buttercups,
welcome daisies white! You lift up my spirit – a
vision of delight! Coming in the Spring time,
of sunny hours to tell, Speaking to our hearts
that all the world is well. |
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Butterfly song 🔊
The life cycle
of a butterfly and hand play. 1. Cross hands at wrists and flap, place egg in palm of hand. 2.
Wiggle forefinger, wiggle all fingers. 3. Roll forefingers round each other.
4. Make chrysalis shape with thumb and forefinger. Hands to one cheek.
5. Hand to each cheek. Point to eyes.
6. Open chrysalis. 7. Flap hands crossed at wrist. |
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First comes a butterfly
and lays an egg. Out comes a caterpillar
with so many legs. Oh see the caterpillar
spin and spin and spin, A little chrysalis to
sleep in. Oh, oh, oh, wait and see! Oh, oh, oh, wait and see! Out of the chrysalis, me,
oh my, Out comes a beautiful
butterfly!. |
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