Mi cuerpo

Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo

El juego chirimbolo

La Tia Monica

Juanito cuando baila

El juego del calentamiento

Asi van, van, van

Digo si, digo no

Yo tengo una carita

Mi carita redondita

Saco una manita

Un ratoncito

Last updated: 10/11/2016 3:06 PM

The songs below are part of ‘‘La pajara pinta’ The Spanish collection

compiled, adapted, translated and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

To listen to music from these songs click on O

To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

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© 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.

The Spanish Collection

It is said that children who are exposed to just 50 words of a second language before to age six begin to develop an "ear" for the sounds of that language.

It is hoped that where possible these songs will be sung in their home language. An English version is provided so children can enjoy the tunes before they have mastered Spanish. Literal translations do not always make sense to the English ear so these have been translated freely (very freely in some cases!) to complement the music and capture the spirit of each song.

You will find more Spanish songs in the collection ‘Away We Go’.

Spanish pronunciation

Spoken Spanish in both Spain and Latin America is quite distinctive from spoken English. For that reason a few lyrics are accompanied by the sounds of the Spanish language. The more distinctive sounds of letters in the words of the songs are provided to aid pronunciation in the guide below. The letters not listed are pronounced approximately as in English.

a sounds like ah (father) as in madre

i sounds like ee (feet) as in mi

e sounds like e (met) at the beginning or within a word as in leche

e sounds like ay at the end of a word as in leche

o sounds like oa (boat) as in no

u sounds like oo (boot) as in una

c sounds like th before the letters i and e as in cinco

cc sounds like ks (accident) as in accidente

j and g sounds like ch (loch) as in juego and girafa

g sounds like h (hallo) before the letters i and e as in gente

ll sounds like y (yard) as in llamas

ñ sounds like ni (onions) as in señorita

qu sounds like k as in ¿qué?

rr sounds like a Scottish r as in arroz

v sounds like b as in vaca

z sounds like th (thin) as in arroz

h is always silent unless the word is of foreign origin

u is silent after g and q as in ¿qué?

In Spain ‘d’ is spoken with a lisp, this is not so in Latin America.

There are many sites on line that provide help with pronunciation

Spanish punctuation

Written Spanish in both Spain and Latin America is also distinctive from written English; fewer capitals are used at the beginning of each line of verse, exclamation and question marks are used both at the beginning and end of sentences. However, for familiarity I have usually conformed to the English model when writing Spanish verse.

Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo 🔊

Our bodies love music and will move with ease so give them a healthy fun workout.

Watch at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDl78Sxm32k&feature=related

Listen to an English version at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKH_YDHPbGY&feature=related

Directions:

1. Move rhythmically from side to side.

2.-5. Point to hand and clap each ‘pom’. Point to feet and stamp each ‘boom’. Point to mouth then extend arm upwards on ‘la la la’, finish with an extravagant flourish to hold the final ‘la’. Place hands on hips and move from side to side for each ‘cha cha cha’.

Make actions complement words as before in the second part of the song.

1. Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo hace música. Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo hace música. 2. Mis manos hacen "Pom pom pom," 3. Mis pies hacen "Boom boom boom," 4. Mi boca dice "La la la....," 5. Cadera hace "¡Cha cha cha!" "¡Cha cha cha, cha cha cha!” Cadera hace "¡Cha cha cha!" "Clap clap clap, clap clap clap," Mis manos hacen "Clap clap clap." "Boom boom boom, boom boom boom," Mis pies hacen "Boom boom boom." "La la la, la la la," Mi boca dice "la la la....!"

My body makes music, oh so easily, My body makes music, oh so easily. My hands they like to “Clap clap clap,” My feet they like to “Stamp stamp stamp,” My mouth it likes to “La la la….,” My hips they do the “Cha cha cha!” “Cha cha cha, cha cha cha!” My hips they do the “Cha cha cha!” "Clap clap clap, clap clap clap," My hands they like to "Clap clap clap." “Stamp stamp stamp, stamp stamp stamp,” My feet they like to “Stamp stamp stamp,” “La la la, la la la,” My mouth it likes to “La la, la….!”

El juego chirimbolo O

Learn Spanish body part names with this traditional singing game from Ecuador. ‘Chirombolo’ is a nonsense word that refers to mechanical movement.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2TBPL4NbUY

Make two circles; an outer and an inner, facing partner hold both hands. Alternatively stand in pairs scattered around the room. Speed up each time the song is repeated.

El juego chirimbolo, ¡Qué bonito es! Con un pie, otro pie; Una mano, otro mano; Un codo, otro codo; La nariz y la boca! El juego chirimbolo, ¡Qué bonito es! Hey! Let’s play the chirimbolo, Oh what fun it is! Tap right foot, then left foot; Slap the right hand, then the left hand; Right elbow, then left elbow; A nose here and a mouth there! We played the chirimbolo, Oh what fun it is! Hey!

Make four sideways skipping steps anti clockwise and then four in the opposite direction. Tap extended right feet close together, then left. Slap right hands then left. Place right then left elbows together. Point to nose and mouth of partner. Holding hands make four sideways skipping steps anti clockwise and then lift both hands high and turn under. On ‘Hey!’ jump up high and clap. The inner circle then stands still as those in the outer circle move one step to the right to face a new partner and the game begins once more.

With familiarity other body parts can be added;

la cabeza the head

el cuello the neck

los hombros the shoulders

los brazas, the arms

los dedos the fingers

la barriga the stomach

el trasero the bottom

la espalda the back,

las piemas the legs

el moreno the hair

La Tia Monica O

Think of an eccentric beloved maiden aunt who enjoys a good knees up and you have a picture of Tia Monica. In the traditional version she goes to market wearing a sombrero and other articles of clothing, waving them as she passes by.

Learn the names of body parts in Spanish in the song below. Extend vocabulary by adding new movement and verses.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9fd1pNzPmQ.

Directions:

Children hold hands and skip round in a circle for the chorus. On “Ooh la la!” they wave hands above the head and sway hips.

For each verse move the appropriate part of the body; hands on hips and sway, shrug shoulders and turn round, move head from side to side and turn, invent a foot dance and turn, wave hands above head and turn round..

Yo tengo una tia, (yo tayn’-go oo-nah tea’-ah) Llamada Monica, ( ya-ma’-da moh’-nee-ca) Que cuando va a bailar, (kay quan-do’ va a bay’-lar) Le dicen, “Ooh la la!” “Ooh la la!” (lay dee’-cen ooh la la) Asi mueve la cadera, Asi, asi, asi, Asi mueve la cadera, La tia Monica. (la tea’-ah Moh’-nee-ca) Asi mueve los hombres... Asi mueve cueza... Asi mueve los pies.... Asi mueve las manos....

I have a lovely auntie, Her name is Monica, And when she goes out dancing, They all say, “Ooh la la!” “Ooh la la!” And this is how her hips move; Like this, like this, like this, And this is how her hips move; Our dear aunt Monica. Here’s how she moves her shoulders... And this is how her head moves... And this is how her feet move... And this is how her hands move...

Juanito cuando baila O

Learn the names of body parts with this cumulative action song. ‘Dedito’ is the little rather than the forefinger.

Watch Spanish children mime to a delightful version of this song by José-Luis Orozco:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyzKoECGjpQ.

Directions:

Children stand in a space clapping. Each time ‘Con el dedito, ito, ito is sung children hold their elbow, twirl forefinger in the air as they turn around.

As each new noun is added shake, jiggle or twist the appropriate part of the body; stamp feet, bend knees, hands on hips and wiggle, wave hands above head, shrug shoulders and turn round, wag head from side to side.

Juanito cuando baila, Baila, baila, baila. Juanito cuando baila, Baila con el dedito. (theh-thee-toh) Con el dedito, ito, ito, Así baila juanito. Juanito cuando baila, Baila, baila, baila, Juanito cuando baila, Baila con el pie, (pyeh) Con el pie, pie, pie, Con el dedito, ito, ito Así baila juanito. Continue adding body parts; la rodilla, dilla, dilla (roh-thee-ah) the knee, knee, knee la cadera (cah-there-ah) the hips

When little Johnny dances, Dances, dances, dances. When little Johnny dances, He dances with his finger. With his finger, finger, finger, And that’s how Johnny dances. When little Johnny dances, Dances, dances, dances. When little Johnny dances, He dances with his foot, With his foot, foot, foot, With his finger, finger, finger, And that’s how Johnny dances. la mano (mah-no) the hand el hombro (ohm-bro) the shoulder la cabeza (cah-veh-zah) the head

El juego del calentamiento O

Time for a warm up! Obey the commands of the sergeant in this cumulative game. ‘Jinetes’ are the cavalry and it is suggested that the game was conceived by children watching military drills.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9adXFZ0GOS8

Directions:

March in place or around the room with swinging arms while singing this song. Stop to obey orders given by the sergeant Each time the song is sung repeat add a new movement to the list of commands.

Éste es el juego del calentamiento. Hey que sequir la orden del sargento. Jinetes! A la carga! Éste es el juego del calentamiento. Hey que sequir la orden del sargento. Jinetes! A la carga! Una mano! Éste es el juego del calentamiento. Hey que sequir la orden del sargento. Jinetes! A la carga! Una mano! La otra! Add: Un pie! El otro! La cabeza! La cadera! Los hombros! La espalda! Last verse Éste es el juego del calentamiento. Hey que sequir la orden del sargento. Jinetes! A la carga! Una mano! La otra! Un pie! El otro! La cabeza! La cadera! Los hombros! La espalda! Las rodillas!

Join in the game so everyone gets warmer. All of you must obey the sergeant’s orders. Stand to attention! Salute! Join in the game so everyone gets warmer. All of you must obey the sergeant’s orders: Stand to attention! Salute! One hand! Move hand back and forth on the horses reins Join in the game so everyone gets warmer. All of you must obey the sergeant’s orders: Stand to attention! Salute! One hand! The other! Move both hands on the horses reins Add each time: One foot! Tap the floor The other! Tap the floor with the other Move your head! Move your hips! Move your shoulders! About turn! Turn a round and face the opposite direction Bend your knees! Bend knees low

Asi van, van, van O

This popular song is also played by young children in France.

Listen at: http://vimeo.com/43061366

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imexuuG2nmc

Directions:

Dance with a partner or individually.

1. Dance round in a circle first one way then the other.

2. Raise and wave hands wave jumping around.

3. Clap, crouch then rise up.

4. Wave arms up high from side to side.

5. Dance round, sink down then pretend to sleep.

6. Jump up and march off round the room waving goodbye.

Así van, van, van, Los fantoches pequeñitos, Así van, van, van, Dando vueltas con afán. La manita así, Los fantoches pequeñitos, La manita así, Van saltando por allí. Hacen pan, pan, pan, Los fantoches pequeñitos, Hacen pan, pan, pan, Y creciendo aprisa van. Arman gran trajín, Los fantoches pequeñitos, Arman gran trajín, Y levantan su dedín. Después de bailar, Los fantoches pequeñitos, Después de bailar, Ya se van a descansar. Ya se van, van, van, Los fantoches pequeñitos, Ya se van, van, van, Otro día volverán.

There they go, go, go, All the funny little puppets, There they go, go, go, Dancing round so eagerly. Small hands move like this, All the funny little puppets, Small hands move like this, They jump up and they jump down. They make bread, bread, bread, All the funny little puppets, They make bread, bread, bread, And it rises fast like this. Oh what fun, fun, fun, All those funny little puppets, Oh what fun, fun, fun, Waving hands up there so high. After dancing round, All the funny little puppets, After dancing round, They will rest down on the floor. Off they go, go, go, All the funny little puppets, Off they go, go, go, Off to play another day.

Digo si, digo no O

Learn the name of parts of the body. Most of the nouns are sung in the diminutive (little....), but could easily be sung as; mi dedo, brazo, mano, pierna, pie.

The literal translation of ‘Digo ‘is ‘I say’ and ‘Digo hola, ¿que pasó?’ is ‘I say hello, how’s it going?’

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHcnUlzvXk

Directions:

Nod body part up and down to ‘si’ and move from side to side for ’no’.

Con mi cabeza digo si, Con mi cabeza digo no. Digo sí, si, si, si, Digo no, no, no, no, Digo hola, ¿que pasó? Con mi dedito digo sí Con mi dedito digo no. Digo sí, si, si,si, Digo no, no, no, no, Digo hola, ¿que pasó? Con mi bracito (little arm) digo si, Con mi manita (little hand) digo si, Con mi hombro (shoulder) digo si, Con mi piernita (little leg) digo si, Con mi piecito (little foot) digo si,

My little head it just says yes, My little head it just says no. It says yes, yes, yes, yes, It says no, no, no, no, It says smile and say hello! My little finger it says yes, My little finger it says no. It says yes, yes, yes, yes, It says no, no, no, no, It says smile and say hello!

Yo tengo una carita O

What does your face look like?!

Find a great website at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aVXbHO80WI&NR=1 and watch many other Spanish hand and finger rhymes for the very youngest.

Yo tengo una carita, Que parece una casita. Los pelos de la cabeza, Parecen que son las tejas. Los ojos son dos ventanas, Que abro por las mañana. La boca es una puerta, Que siempre la tengo abierta. Y en el centro está la nariz, Que es un timbre que hace así: ¡Brrr! ¡Brrr! ¡Brrr! My face it is far from average, For it looks very like a cottage. You’ll notice perhaps my hairstyle, Look so very much like roof tiles. My eyes are two windows yawning. They open up wide each morning. My mouth’s a gateway I reckon, And it’s nearly always open. In the centre you’ll find a nose , And the bell just like this it goes: Ring, ring, ring!

Draw a round face with forefinger. Hands make a roof over the head. Indicate a covering of tiles. Draw round eyes. With hands in front of face open shutters. Draw a round mouth. Open and close mouth. Pull nose. Make a loud ringing noise with tongue.

Mi carita redondita O

Learn names of parts of the face in the context of this catchy familiar tune ‘Oh my darling Clementine’. ‘Galletitas de mani’ are peanuts rather than crunchy biscuits. Add other favourite or healthy foods suggested by the children to the end of the second verse each time the song is sung.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBFMUI-G_I&feature=related

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1AFwkgeS2Y&feature=related

Directions:

Sit in a circle and point to parts of the face and mime.

Mi carita, redondita, tiene ojos y nariz, Y tambien una boquita, para hablar y sonreír. Con mis ojos veo todo, con mi nariz hago ¡achís! (sneeze) Con mi boca saboreo, galletitas de mani.

See my round face, little round face, I have two eyes and a nose, And I also have big mouth, For to laugh and sing like so. With my eyes I see all round me, With my nose I sneeze, achuu! With my mouth I’m fond of munching, Crunchy biscuits, just a few.

Saco una manita O

Get those hands moving and learn the difference between right and left.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR1G_yaTC9c

Directions:

Hide hands behind back. Extend right hand and wave from side to side. Open and close and then return behind back. Repeat with left hand and then both hands. Ask where their hands are. All shout ‘¡Aqui!’

Saco una manita, la hago bailar, La cierro, la abro, la vuelvo a guardar. Saco otra manita, la hago bailar, La cierro, la abro, la vuelvo a guardar. Saco las dos manitas, las hago bailar, Las cierro, las abro, las vuelvo a guardar. Spoken: ¿Dónde están las manitas?... ¡AQUÍ!

I take out my right hand, it dances you know, It closes, it opens, it hides away like so. I take out my left hand……(as before) I take out my two hands, they dance well you know, They’re closing, they open, they hide away like so. Where are your hands? ...HERE!

Un ratoncito O

This finger and counting rhyme has been adapted to make it livelier.

Watch Adriana sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=r0iEsYDsH0c&NR=1

Directions:

Make circles of eight to ten seated children with one mouse in the centre of each. Those in the circle use their fingers to indicate the number of mice and to mime scampering and noses twitching, rolling arms round on the final words.

The mouse meanwhile scampers out of the circle / cave then twitches a nose before choosing a second mouse from the circle. They both re-enter to hold hands and dance round in a ring. Next time the song is sung both mice leave and the second one chooses a third mouse.

The game continues until all in the circle are dancing round in an ‘inside’ ring.

Un ratoncito sale de la cueva,

Mueve el hocico y juega a la rueda.

One little brown mouse scampered from the mouse hole,

Twitchy twitched its nose and then made a little circle.

Dos ratoncitos salen de la cueva,

Mueven el hocico y juegan a la rueda.

Two little brown mice scampered from the mouse hole,

Twitchy twitched their noses and made a bigger circle.

Tres ratoncitos salen de la cueva,

Mueven el hocico y juegan a la rueda….

Three little brown mice scampered from the mouse hole,

Twitchy twitched their noses and then made another circle.

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