Seasons

Bałwankowa rodzina

Biały walcyzk

Małe czerwone jabłuszko

Ola i Liście

Tak się zachmurzyło

Sanna

Zima zła

 

03/11/2015 14:41

 

 

The songs below are part ofKaruzela’ The Polish 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:

 

© Dany Rosevear 2010 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 Polish Collection

 

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 Polish.

Literal translations do not always make sense to the English ear so these have been translated freely to complement the music and capture the spirit of the song.

You will find more Polish songs in Hop Skip and Away We Go

 

Polish pronunciation guide

 

Spoken Polish is quite different from spoken English. The guide is provided to aid the pronunciation of some of the more distinctive sounds in the Polish language. The letters not listed below are pronounced approximately as in English. There are 32 characters in the Polish alphabet. Stress falls on the last but one syllable.

 

a        sounds like ah (father)  

ą        sounds like French on

c        sounds like c (dance)     

ć /ci   sounds like ch (cello)

ch      sounds like ch (loch)

cz      sounds like ch (church)

d       sounds like d (dance) but in final position is unvoiced and more like t

dz      sounds like dz (adze) but like j (jewel) when followed by an i

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

ę        sounds like French ain                     

g        sounds like g (go) but in final position is unvoiced and more like k

h       is never silent sounds like ch (loch)

i         sounds like ee (feet)                

j         sounds like y (yes)                          

ł         sounds like w (wake) but in final position is unvoiced and more like f

ń/ni   sounds like ni (onions)

o        sounds like o (gone)

ó        sounds like oo (boot)    

r        slightly rolled as in Spanish

ś/si     a very very soft sh no equivalent in English

sz       sounds like sh (ship)

u       sounds like u (duke) or as in una

w       sounds like v(vote)

y        sounds like i (ship) but harder

ź/zi    sounds like z/zh (azure)

ż/ rz  sounds like French j (Jean)

 

If you have a Polish parent to help you with the pronunciation you will find these songs not too difficult to learn despite the spelling!

There are also sites on line including You Tube to help you sing in the original language.

 

 

Bałwankowa rodzina O

 

What does snowman need to keep him happy, like us he needs a family and friends! A snowman family.

Music: K. Kwiatkowska, lyrics: M. Głogowska.

 

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kno2hy0fU8

 

Children stand in a circle with one child, the snowman, in the centre. Choose a Mrs Snowman and two children snowmen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Stoisz smutny, mój bałwanku,

Ze spuszczoną głową.

Może chciałbyś mieć przy sobie,

Panią bałwankową.

My dear snowman standing sadly,

With your head so low down.

You might like to choose a good wife,

Find a Mrs Snowman.

 

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Dobrej żony wciąż mi brak!

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Bałwankowej brak.

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

A good wife would be no stress,

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

More snowmen not less.

 

Ma korale z jarzębiny,

Bałwankowa żona,

Ale łatwo poznać z miny,

Że dziś jest zmartwiona.

Snowman wife you are so pretty,

With your rowan necklace.

But your face is looking sad,

A child would raise your spirits.

 

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Mego synka jeszcze brak!

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Synka jeszcze brak!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

One or two I would suggest!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

One or two not less!

 

Stoi bałwan z bałwankową,

W środku zaś bałwanek.

Jeszcze chwila i rozpoczną,

Bałwankowy taniec!

Snowmen standing with your snow friends,

Looking so enchanting.

When another one comes forwards,

Then you can start dancing!

 

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Przydałby się jeszcze brat!

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Przydałby się brat!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

One more brother would impress!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

One more would be best!

 

Już wesołe dwa bałwanki,

Tańczą z rodzicami.

I my także się pobawmy,

Razem z bałwankami.

Here we have two happy snowmen,

Dancing with their parents.

Now it’s time for us to join

Together with the snowmen.

 

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Zatańcz z nami raz i dwa!

Oj tak, tak! Oj tak, tak!

Zatańcz z nami raz i dwa!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

Dance around twice then we’ll rest!

Oh yes yes! Oh yes yes!

Dance around then rest!

The snowman in the centre stands with head bowed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowman sings first two lines and then sings and claps with the circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Snowman enters the circle, both hold hands and walk round on the spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Snowman sings the first two lines and then sings and claps with the others as they join in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first child enters the circle and joins hands moving round with the snowmen parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first child sings the first two lines and then sings and claps with the others as they join in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second child enters the circle and joins hands moving round with the three others. The outer circle also walks round.

 

 

 

 

 

The sing child sings the first two lines and then sings and claps with the others as they join in.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Biały walcyzk O

 

Make up own movements to the waltz time music in this song for a snowy day.

Music by Franciszka Leszczyńska, words by Maria Kownacka.

 

Watch at: http://www.edumuz.pl/articles.php?article_id=2259

 

 

Directions: 

Children stand in a space with hands on hips or in pairs holding hands.

Dance swaying from one foot to the other; jump three times at the end of the first two lines. Hold hands above head and twirl first one way and then the other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Hej, biały walczyk, hop, hop, hop,

zając na śniegu znaczy trop.

Zając na śniegu pomyka,

A my tańczymy walczyka,

A my tańczymy walczyka.

 

Saneczki z góry wiozą nas,

wiatr pogwizduje, szumi las.f

A nasze ptaki z karmnika

Tańczą białego walczyka,

Tańczą białego walczyka.

 

Hej, biały walczyk, baczność, start!

Dzieci, do sanek i do nart!

Sikorka prosi czyżyka:

“Tańczmy białego walczyka!”

Tańczmy białego walczyka!”

Hey, dance the white waltz, off we go,

Ski and sleigh children, don’t be slow!

Blue tit asks siskin with pleasure:

 "Let’s dance the white waltz together!"

"Let’s dance the white waltz together!"

Hey, dance the white waltz, hop, hop, hop,

Hare tracks on snow go lop, lop, lop.

Hare in the snow hear him calling,

As we fly past gaily waltzing,

As we fly past gaily waltzing.

 

Sledge from the top of the hill takes us,

Wind whistles while past trees we rush.

All of the birds of the forest,

Dance the white waltz as the snow rests,

Dance the white waltz as the snow rests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Małe czerwone jabłuszko O

 

Another song for the autumn, this one is written by Dorotka Jagiełło.

 

Watch at: http://www.edumuz.pl/articles.php?article_id=1672 

 

Children stand in pairs, label each partner either apple or pear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Małe czerwone jabłuszko,

}x2

 
Tańczy dziś pod drzewem z gruszką.

Za rączki się trzymają,

I w koło obracają.

Little red apple and sweet pear,

}x2

 
Under a tree they are dancing.

Holding their hands together,

Turning around in circles.

 

}x2

 
Małe czerwone jabłuszko...

Jabłuszko podskakuje,

A gruszka przytupuje.

}x2

 
Little red apple ...

Apple is jumping, jumping,

Pear’s little feet are stamping.

 

}x2

 
Małe czerwone jabłuszko…

W rączki klaszcze jabłuszko,

Razem z dojrzałą gruszką.

Little red apple ...

}x2

 
Both clap their hands together,

They could dance forever.

 

Małe czerwone jabłuszko

}x2

 
Biegną sobie dookoła,

Jabłuszko gruszkę woła.

}x2

 
Little red apple ...

Off round the circle dancing,

Apple and pear are calling.

 

Pairs holding hands skip round with partner on the spot .Clap twice at the end of each of the first two lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As before

Apple jumps up and down as pear stamps feet.

 

 

 

 

As before

Clap hands and dance on the spot.

 

 

 

 

 

As before

Follow each other round in one large circle.


 

 

Ola i Liście O

 

 


‘Ola and the leaves’; a gentle song for autumn.

Music: M. Cukierówna Words: L. Krzemieniecka

 

Watch at:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BAa8HzSEoU&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwGLyBKrMzs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Poszła Ola na spacerek

Na słoneczko, na wiaterek.

A ty lecą jej na głowę

Liście złote i brązowe.

A ty lecą jej na głowę

Liście złote i brązowe

Off walks Ola, free and easy,

In the sunshine, bright and breezy.

All around her head are flying,

Leaves of gold and brown beguiling.

All around her head are flying,

Leaves of gold and brown beguiling.

 

Myśli Ola: liści tyle,

Bukiet zrobię z nich za chwilę.

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

Ola muses; all those leaves may

For a short while make a bouquet.

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

 

 

 

 

Walk round the room in and out of others. Make sunshine and wind movements with arms.

Flutter hands up and down and all around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put forefingers to brow.

Make fingers flutter.

Hold up a bunch of leaves.

Whirl round first one way then the other.

 

 


 

 

Sanna O

 

Off through a winter wonderland ‘Sleighing’; music and words by Adam Markiewicz and Barbara Kossuth.

 

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvc70GZ4-Iw&feature=related

 

Make a circle, face anticlockwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Zima, zima, zima,

Pada, pada śnieg!

Jadę, jadę w świat sankami,

Sanki dzwonią dzwoneczkami.

Dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń, dzyń.

Winter, winter, winter.

Snow is floating down.

On our sleigh we’ll go off riding,

Listen to the sleigh bells ringing:

Zing, zing, zing x3

 

Jaka pyszna sanna,

Parska raźno koń.

Śnieg rozbija kopytami,

Sanki dzwonią dzwoneczkami:

Dzyń, dzyń, dzyń x3

Sleighing is entrancing,

Horses briskly trot.

In the snow hooves softly twinkle,

Listen to the sleigh bells jingle:

Zing, zing, zing x3

 

Zasypane pola, Śniegu cały świat.

Biała droga hen przed nami,

Sanki dzwonią dzwoneczkami.

Dzyń, dzyń, dzyń x3

All the world is buried, Under fields of snow.

White roads stretching out before us,

Sleigh bells ringing song restores us:

Zing, zing, zing x6

Trot round..

Fingers make snow fall while moving round the circle.

Put one hand to ears.

Stop and clap on the spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue round the circle.

 

Stop and paw foot on the ground.

 

Stamp feet in time to the music.

 

 

 

 

 

Fingers make snow fall while moving round the circle.

Move round on the spot.

Put one hand to ears.

Stop and clap on the spot.

 

 


 

 

Tak się zachmurzyło O

 

 


‘Sleighing in the snow’ The clouds have gone, the sun is out and the snow has fallen, - perfect weather for sleighing.

Music written by. Z.DyktorDąbrowska, the words are traditional.

 

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y3v7Q4cau4

 

Stand next to a partner in a circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tak się zachmurzyło,

}x2

 
Słonko się zakryło.

Pada, epada śnieżek biały,

Dawno go nie było!

Away the clouds have drifted,

}x2

 
Sun is shining down-o;

Snow was falling all around us,

Just a while ago now!

 

Chodźmy na saneczki,

}x2

 
chłopcy i dzieweczki.

Pozjeżdżamy wszyscy razem

z wysokiej góreczki.

Laughing lads and lassies,

}x2

 
Off we go a-sleighing,

Over high hills, whizzing down,

Together we go racing.

 

Pędzimy, pędzimy,

Nic się nie boimy!

Aż tu naraz bęc, na śnieżek,

I wszyscy leżymy.

Rushing down at full speed,

Nothing much will scare us, 

All at once we’ve left the earth,

And down there is the snow, CRASH!

Wave arms above head.

Make hands sparkle like the sun.

Make hands swirl and float up and down and all around like the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

With one partner behind the other, facing in the same direction, hold hands and trot round the circle..

 

 

 

 

 

Continue trotting in pairs. On the last line jump high in the air and land on the ground.

 

 


 

 

Zima zła O

 

 


“Wicked winter laughs!” Temperatures in Poland can plummet to minus twenty degrees in the winter and many songs and rhymes like this one are sung in Polish kindergartens to encourage a positive attitude to cold and snowy weather.

Words: M. Konopnicka, music: Z. Noskowski.

 

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4CctMRCGMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Nasza zima zła!

Szczypie w nosy, szczypie w uszy,

Mroźnym śniegiem w oczy prószy,

Wichrem w polu gna!

Nasza zima zła! x2

Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Wicked winter laughs!

Bites the nose and bites the toes as

In the eyes the frozen snow flies,

Wild winds whip the sky,

Wicked winter laughs! x2

 

Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Nasza zima zła!

Płachta na niej długa biała,

W ręku gałąź oszroniona,

A w kieszeni drwa,

Nasza zima zła! x2

Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Wicked winter laughs!

Covers all with sparkling snowdrifts,

Frozen hands seize frosted branches,

Forests in deep sleep.

Wicked winter laughs! x2

 

 

Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Nasza zima zła!

A my jej się nie boimy,

Dalej śnieżkiem w plecy zimie,

Niech pamiątkę ma,

Nasza zima zła! x2

Hu, hu, ha! Hu, hu, ha!

Wicked winter laughs!

We’ve no fear of cruel winter,

We throw snowballs hither thither,

Memories for us!

Wicked winter laughs! x2

Hands open and close. Shiver with arms crossed. Rub nose and feet.

Hands blow snow towards eyes. Shiver with arms crossed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As before.

Hands move down covering body.

Hold out arms and shimmer.

Put hands to cheek and close eyes.

Shiver with arms crossed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As before.

Shake head and finger from side to side. Throw snowballs.

 

 


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