Aliments i beguda

Beurem una boteta

El dijous llarder

En Joan ve de la cuina

Jo tinc cinc pomes

Joan del Rui

La Caterineta

La coqueta amb sucre

La masovera

Olles, olles

Xim, na, na, nà

Xiriminimi

Last updated: 07/04/2015 15:57

The songs below are part of ‘Joan del Rui’ The Catalan collection

compiled, adapted, translated and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page

To listen to music from these songs click on O

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

Why a separate Catalan collection?

My intention in researching Catalan songs was to add just a small number to my original Spanish collection. However it was obvious from the outset that this region of Spain is a particularly rich source of wonderful music and rhythms and before long I had assembled and translated a dedicated compilation of singing games and dances.

Many of these had been accessed on the internet in the form of videos. The dances themselves should be self evident from the directions given but I would urge anyone who would like to introduce these songs in the Catalan language to classes of children to illustrate the dances using these videos as a model to copy on their whiteboards.

© 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 Catalan Collection

Catalan pronunciation

Spoken Catalan like Spanish is quite distinctive from spoken English. 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 stressed sounds like ah (father) as in pa

a unstressed sounds like a (sugar) as in porta

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

e closed sounds like e (they) at the beginning or within a word as in llet

i sounds like ee (feet) as in nit

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

o sounds like oa (boat) as in boca

u sounds like oo (boot) as in una

b is silent after m as in amb

c sounds like c (acid) before the letters i and e as in cel

ç sounds like c (acid) as in canço

g (before e and i) and j sounds like sh (vision) as in pàgina jeure

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

h is always silent unless the word is of foreign origin

ll sounds like lli (million) as in llapis

p is silent after m as in llamp

v at the beginning of a word sounds like b as in vi

rr sounds like a Scottish r as in carro

v sounds like b as in vaca

s and z sounds like z (zoo) as in casa zero

u is silent after g and q as in gue qui

x at the beginning of a word or after l, n, r sounds like sh as in xarop

There are many sites on line that provide help with pronunciations

Catalan punctuation

Written Catalan like Spanish is 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 Catalan verse.

Beurem una boteta O

A drinking song popular in Catalan tavernas. Substitute water for wine or, if hygiene is an issue, mime drinking water from an empty bottle!

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKG32F5DCkg

Directions:

Sitting in a large circle pass a bottle round in time to the music. The child who has the bottle at the end of the first part of the song mimes drinking. The others clap with a stressed beat on the final note to stop the drinking.

Beurem una boteta, de la vall, de la vall roseta. Beurem una boteta, de la vall, de la vall, del vi. Que begui, que begui, que begui, que begui, Que begui, que begui, que begui, que prou!

Let’s pass around the bottle, from the vale, from the vale of roses. Let’s pass around the bottle, from the vale, from the vale of wine. We’ll drink it, we’ll drink it, we’ll drink it, we’ll drink it, We’ll drink it, we’ll drink it, we’ll drink it all up!

El dijous llarder O

‘El dijous llarder’ marks the start of carnival in many towns celebrating with traditional foods such as sausage, eggs, fried trout and cake. Pig products dominate: pig roasts, black sausage omelette, crackling and there are a series of events that revolve around egg and pork.

Schools traditionally celebrate Maundy Thursday with a picnic and sing this song as they march along the path with sausage sandwiches, cake and a drink in hand.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R_b6ySsWOI

Directions:

March around the room in line moving hands as below.

Verse 1 Hold right hand thumb to the nose as left hand thumb touches the little finger of the right hand. Wiggle fingers.

Verse 2 Place thumbs to ears, waggle fingers while marching.

Verse 3 Place thumbs in corner of mouth and waggle fingers.

El dijous llarder, botifarra, botifarra, El dijous llarder, botifarra menjaré. I si és dijous gras, botifarra, botifarra, I si és dijous gras, botifarra menjaràs. I si no n' hi ha prou, una truita, una truita, I si no n' hi ha prou, una truita de dos ous.

When it’s lard Thursday, We’ll eat sausage, we’ll eat sausage, When it’s lard Thursday, We’ll eat sausages for lunch. And on Maundy Thursday, We’ll eat sausage, we’ll eat sausage, And on Maundy Thursday, We’ll eat sausages all day. If that’s not enough, We’ll eat lake trout, we’ll eat lake trout, If that’s not enough, We’ll eat two egg omelette.

En Joan ve de la cuina O

When puppy steals a crust of bread from the soup what should Joan do?

Watch a simple line dance at:

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

For noisier effect use claves instead of clapping:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq7Z1Mwm_wE&feature=related

Directions:

Stand in two line hands on hips s. Each child faces a partner.

Line 1, 3 and 4: Heels rise and fall in time to the music.

Line 2: Slap thighs or knees three times then partner’s hands thrice.

En Joan ve de la cuina; Uh, uh, uh! Ah, ah, ah! En Joan ve de la cuina; Carregat amb el sopar. En Joan porta la sopa; Uh, uh, uh! Ah, ah, ah! En Joan porta la sopa; I al damunt un tros de pa. Mentre ell menja la sopa; Uh, uh, uh! Ah, ah, ah! Mentre ell menja la sopa Un gossot li pren el pa. Si en Joan empaita el "quisso"; Uh, uh, uh! Ah, ah, ah! Si en Joan empaita el "quisso" És segur que el bordarà. Val més que es mengi la sopa; Uh, uh, uh! Ah, ah, ah! Val més que es mengi la sopa I que deixi córrer el pa.

Uncle John comes from the kitchen; Ooh, ooh, ooh! Ah, ah, ah! Uncle John comes from the kitchen; With his supper, tra-la-la. Uncle John brings in the soup pot; Ooh, ooh, ooh! Ah, ah, ah! Uncle John brings in the soup pot; And on top some bread crusts are. While he eats the broth so tasty; Ooh, ooh, ooh! Ah, ah, ah! While he eats the broth so tasty; Puppy takes a crust, ha-ha! If our John pursues the puppy; Ooh, ooh, ooh! Ah, ah, ah! If our John pursues the puppy, It will surely bark and bark. Give him soup t’would be much better; Ooh, ooh, ooh! Ah, ah, ah! Give him soup t’would be much better; He would drop the bread, hoorah!

Jo tinc cinc pomes O

Count the number of apples backwards in this song.

Instead of clapping as below give each child two claves to tap together for more effect as in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DthRvMqjjQ

Directions:

In a circle make a line one behind the other, choose a leader. March and clap in time to the music round the circle. After the first verse the leader takes the line off around the room. Sing ‘La, la, la...’ fast moving quickly. Sing a second time and move slowly. Return to the circle and sing the first verse moving as before.

Jo tinc cinc pomes a la butxaca, Les voldries tu? Clap! Jo tinc cinc pomes a la butxaca, Les voldries tu? Clap! Si tu sabessis com són de bones, I volguessis totes les pomes, Te les dono a tu, Clap! Te les dono a tu. Clap! Tinc quatre pomes... Jo tinc tres pomes... Tinc dues pomes... Tinc una pome.. La, la, la, la...

I have five apples in my pocket, Would you like one too? Clap! I have five apples in my pocket, Would you like one too? Clap! And if you find them so good and tasty, And you wanted all of my apples, I’d give them to you; Clap! I’d give them to you. Clap! I have four apples... I have three apples... I have two apples... I have one apple... La, la, la, la...

Joan del Riu O

Joan del Riu, a little like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, is a popular and mischievous minstrel who enters the towns and villages of the Pyrenees at carnival time bearing all sorts of disparate and extravagant goodies through the streets as he passes.

Some legends suggest he is goat footed and smells of sulphur and that his catchy tunes and joyful dances lure folk from their more serious pursuits of prayer and churchgoing.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klXbC6U8N9c

Directions:

First part: Hold hands in a circle; skip lightly anticlockwise with high knees.

Second part: Jump repetitively together in and out of the circle.

Joan del Riu n’és arribat amb un pot de confitura. Joan del Riu n’és arribat amb un pot de raïmat. N'ha portat un violon per fer ballar les ninetas. N'ha portat un violon per fer ballar tot el món. Joan del riu n’és arribat amb una carga de monines. Joan del riu n’és arribar amb una carga d'escarbats. N'ha portat .... Joan del riu n’és arribat amb una bóta de vi ranci. Joan del riu n’és arribat amb una bóta de moscat. N'ha portat .... Repeat first verse

River John’s coming to town with a jar of jam so tasty. River John’s coming to town with a bunch of juicy grapes. He has brought a violin to go dancing with the children. He has brought a violin to go dancing round the world. River John’s coming to town with a troupe of lively monkeys. River John’s coming to town with some scarab beetles too. He has bought ... River John’s coming to town with fine wine that is so mellow, River John’s coming to town with a bottle of Muscat. He has bought ...

La Caterineta O

‘Ball rodó is a circle dance that preceded the ‘sardana’ and is mentioned in Medieval Catalan writings. Accompany this dance with the strong beat of a drum.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt4cFU8iiag&NR=1

Find another game at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vd=uSdjtVHfr0c&feature=related

Directions:

Make a circle holding hand. Walk round anticlockwise for the first two lines. Then place right toe in circle then left, repeat sequence.

On last phrase bend knees to squat together, still holding hands, rise up ready to start again.

Ball rodó, Caterineta, Caterineta, Ball rodó, Caterineta, Catarinó. S'ha menjat la cansalada, I tots els ous del ponedor. Ajupa't moixó!

Round we go, Catherinetta, Catherinetta; Round we go, Catherinetta,Catherine; Well she ate up all the bacon, And the eggs of laying hens. Sink to the ground!

La coqueta amb sucre O

You dance so well, show us how to do it.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJPkeFOpI0A&feature=related

Directions:

Those in the circle clap as a child in the centre skips, hands on hips, around the inside. Third line: this child stops in front of one in the circle, bows or curtseys, then holding right hands skips round to swap places for the next game.

Qui la ballarà la coqueta amb sucre? Qui la ballarà eixerit sera! Balli-la vosté senyoret/a ---------, Balli-la vosté que la balla bé! x2

Who will dance for us on the cake well sugared? Who will dance for us, who will it be! Dance for us, for us, senor/ita ---------, Dance for us, for us, you can dance so well! x2

La masovera O

Learn the days of the week in Catalan. ‘La masovera’ is a housewife.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my4JB0hAi2E

Directions:

Make two circles of equal numbers, one inside the other, facing the centre and holding hands. The inside circle will need to stand closer together.

1. Move rhythmically up and down on toes as an introduction.

2. March on the spot.

3. Outer circle move forward with raised arms and place them over those in the inner circle. The inner ring steps back so one circle is made.

4. Together make a jump for each piece of food mentioned.

5. Skip round to the right.

Second time: Repeat the sequence above but at 3. The outer circle separates from the inner by raising arms and moving back. After jumps for each food item the outer circle skips to the right as the inner skips left.

1. 2. La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 3.El mercat és el dilluns, El dilluns en compra llums: 4. LLUMS! 5. O lai lá, la masovera, la masovera! O lai lá, la masovera se'n va al mercat! La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el dimarts, El dimarts en compra naps: LLUMS! NAPS! O lai lá... La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el dimecres, El dimecres en compra nespres: LLUMS! NAPS! NESPRES! O lai l lá... La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el dijous, El dijous en compra nous: LLUMS! NAPS! NESPRES! NOUS! O lai l lá... La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el divendres, El divendres, faves tenders: LLUMS! NAPS! NESPRES! NOUS! FAVES TENDRES! O lai l lá... La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el dissabte, El dissabte, tot s'ho gasta: LLUMS! NAPS! NESPRES! NOUS! FAVES TENDRES! TOT S'HO GASTA! O lai l lá... La masovera se'n va al mercat, x2 El mercat és el diumenge, Diumenge, tot s'ho menja: LLUMS! NAPS! NESPRES! NOUS! FAVES TENDRES! TOT S'HO GASTA! TOT S'HO MENJA! O lai l lá...

Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Monday is market day, And on Monday she’ll buy greens: GREENS! Oh lai la, sings the old lady, sings the old lady! Oh lai la, sings the old lady on market day! Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Tuesday is market day, And on Tuesday she’ll buy turnip: GREENS! TURNIPS! Oh lai la... Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Wednesday is market day, And on Wednesday she’ll buy medlars: GREENS! TURNIPS! MEDLARS! Oh lai la... Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Thursday is market day, And it’s Thursday she’ll buy nuts: GREENS! TURNIPS! MEDLARS! NUTS! Oh lai la... Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Friday is market day, And on Friday she’ll buy green beans: GREENS! TURNIPS! MEDLARS! NUTS! FRENCH BEANS! Oh lai la... Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Saturday is market day, And on Saturday she’ll spend all: GREENS! TURNIPS! MEDLARS! NUTS! FRENCH BEANS! SPENDS IT ALL! Oh lai la... Off to the market the old lady goes, x2 For Sunday is market day, And on Sunday she’ll eat it up: GREENS! TURNIPS! MEDLARS! NUTS! FRENCH BEANS! SPENDS IT ALL! EATS IT UP! Oh lai la...

Olles, olles O

This slow gentle tune is similar to ‘La gallina ponicana’ but played very differently.

‘Olles de vi blanc’ is sung to encourage the rains to fall as there is very little rain in this part of Spain.

The song describes rain puddles but ‘olles’ are also long pointed pots, ‘amphora’, used to collect rainwater or store wine.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02qiRZ6u4EI&feature=related

Directions:

Stand in a circle holding hands.

Walk round steadily to the beat.

When a child’s name is sung they turn round to face outwards but still hold hands.

The game finishes when all have turned.

Olles, olles de vi blanc, Totes són plenes de fang, De fang i de maduixa, Gira la caruixa. Qui la girarà? La donzelleta. Qui la girarà La (nom) serà.

Lots of pots of good white wine, All are full of mud and mire, They’re full of mud and strawberries, Turn around the water jars. Who will turn around? It’s this young lady / gentleman. Who will turn around? (Name) it will be.

Xim, na, na, nà O

Demonstrate how to break eggs in a pan. Let children to mime this before singing the song.

If hopping on one foot proves difficult encourage children to change feet or just jump.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-g5ZC-UGGM

Directions:

Stand in a circle with one child in the centre wearing a chef’s hat and holding a frying pan (paella) with a wooden spoon.

1^st verse: Those in the circle slap hands up and down then stir eggs in the pan. Cook walks round stirring the eggs in the pan.

2^nd verse: Those in he circle move as before but also hop, cook hops around the ring and on the last line chooses a replacement so the game can begin again.

Xim, na, na, nà,

Fes ous a la paella.

Xim, na, na, nà,

fes ous amb bacallà.

Xim, na, na, na,

Make fried eggs in the skillet,

Xim, na, na, na,

Make scrambled eggs with cod.

Xim, na, na, nà,

Rosetes saltirones,

Xim, na, na, nà,

Rosetes qui en voldrà?

Xim, na, na, na,

Cook hops round the circle,

Xim, na, na, na,

Now choose the one you want.

Xiriminimí O

Yet another Catalan drinking song! This one is danced and sung at harvest time.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frroi3Nv34g

Make two sets facing pairs As and Bs, arranged in two lines of four, hands by side.

Directions:

1^st verse: Cross to opposite sides passing facing partner with shoulders to the right. Turn round and return passing shoulders right. Repeat first movement. On last phrase merge two lines into one facing forwards.

2^nd verse: Walk four steps forwards then turn and walk forwards in the other direction. Turn and repeat in both directions.

3^rd verse: As hold hands to make bridges, Bs walk round behind and up the line where B2 goes through the end arch and the B1 round the end child to return to their original positions.

Xiriminimí se'n va anar a Roma, Xiriminimí per beure vi. iIquan va tornar de Roma, No es podia ni tenir. Xiriminimí tornava a casa, Xiriminimí per Sant Climent, Peralada, Garriguella, Sempre hi troba bona gent. Xiriminimí volta que volta, Xiriminimí i es va aturar. “Jo vull fer una comparança, Vi d'aquí hauré de tastar”.

Xiriminimí went off to London, Xiriminimí, to wine and dine. And when he returned from London, He did not feel fit or fine. Xiriminimí came back from London, Xiriminimí, his neighborhood, Was a town near Barcelona, Where the people are all good. Xiriminimí went round in circles, Xiriminimí stood still and said: "I will try all sorts of drink here, One will surely clear my head.”

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