International call and response songs

Subject: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:33 AM

Tonight a friend who teaches second grade asked me of I would come to her class and sing songs with the kids as they do geography lessons through the year. We talked about doing this as they study each continent. What we would like to do is find call and response songs from all over the world that we could teach to the kids. Any suggestions?

Alice

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Escamillo
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:59 AM

Great idea, Alice, I'll investigate here.

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 08:09 AM

Hi Alice; Here is the U.S., Call and response songs have been popular since the country's founding. Haul Away Joe and South Aulstralia come to mind. The military has several but most aren't suited for little ears or tender sensibilities. SOuth Aulstralia's tune was modified by a friend as a call and response marching song called March Away as a marching song for his Civil War reenacting unit. (And he did a marvelous job I might add) Kemo Kimo is also a call and response song but the lyric in the first verse arre considered racially offensive these days. Hope this helps, Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 09:56 AM

My first verse of Kemo Kimo is There was a frog lived in the spring (kemo kimo...) He was so horse he could not sing (no typo, it's a pun) - not offensive even to the French, I wouldn't think??? What is your first verse?

Also, there was a thread on this about 2-3 months back, specifically about challenge/response songs. I'll see if I can find it...

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:30 PM

Thanks. What started this project is her request that I come to her class and sing South Australia when they study Australia(I wrote my own version from a woman's point of view). The teacher plays fiddle at our session, and I am constantly asked to lead South Australia because people love to sing along on "heave away haul away". So, that one is the song that gave us the idea to find call and response songs from different continents.

Any more? African, Asian, ... anyone?

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From:
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:13 PM

Well, other sea shanty songs like that are

Paddy Laid Back/Paddy Lay Back

Anti-Chantey/Cheese Song

Drop of Nelson's Blood

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 05:21 PM

Mrrzy: I have For the first verse for Kemo Kimo: In South Carolina the Darkeys go, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! That's where the White folks plant the to, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! Cover the ground all over with smoke, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! And up the Darkies heads the poke, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh!

I hadn't heard the verse about the frog but I believe it is an earlier varient verse to the last verse; There was a frog who lived in a pool, sing song kitty can't you ki'me oh! Sure he was the biggest fool, Sing song kitty can't you ki' me oh! For he could dance and he could sing, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! And make the woods around him ring, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh!

The tune is an 18th century marching song called the frog in the well and your verse may be the original first verse to the song. Kemo Kimo is a later adaptaion of the frog in the well and was used as a work song in much the same way sea chanteys were used, that is to set up a rhythem to work by (But you guys knew that) Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 07:26 PM

I'm thinking of teaching the kids to make up their own verses on some of these (work song for second graders) such as in South Australia, for example,
"We're learning about continents,
Heave away, Haul away,
And all about where sailors went.
Bound for South Australia."

I'm still wanting some songs of call and response or rounds from South America, Africa, and from Asia, or any other songs that you know from those continents that would be fun for kids to learn. They don't have to be in English, actually, all the better if they are not and you can provide phonetic pronunciation. Spanish would be no problem. Tai or Chinese or Arabic or something else I would need help with pronunciation.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight is another I already have in mind.

Any more songs?

Alice

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Escamillo
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 11:24 PM

I've got the first one, a MALAMBO air from the region of the Argentine pampas. Though not precisely a call-response, it can be easily adapted. It is in .WRK format, if you give me an e-mail addrees I'll send it as an attachment, both in .WRK and .MID format.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 12:06 AM

thanks, Andrés, check your personal messages.

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 01:47 AM

The hauling chantey John Kanaka has some Hawaiian influence in the melody. "Kanaka" means a Hawaiian man, in the native language. Hawaiian sailors worked aboard some American and British square-riggers. The other sailors often had tyrouble promouncing the Hawaiian names, so they called them "Kanakas." Check the digital tradition for lyrics. There are some great lyrics to do with kids. PM me if you'd like, and I'll pass them on to you. You can also get kids involved in making up lyrics to this (which is what chanteymen did). I find this one works with 3rd and 4th graders best, then gets a little iffy with 5th graders - a mixed reaction, at least in the SF bay area, and 6th graders? Try another song. I have to say, though, that when I sang it at a community ceili in Alaska last year, kids of all ages loved it. Depends how jaded they are, I guess.

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 10:05 PM

Dear Alice- Are you familiar with: Zum Gali Gali (Israel); The Birds Song (England); Tuons le Coq (France)? There are many two-part and call-and response songs for early childhood grades. I will keep you posted. Sheila

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Jeff Emmett
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 10:34 PM

From Japan the song Sakura is timeless, and can be done in a response form.

When the class studies North America, you could introduce I Circle Around, a native American song that can be done as a call and response.

There's a couple of suggestions for ya!

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 12:39 AM

Sheila and Jeff, can you post the lyrics here to those songs and refer me to music on the internet (recording, midi, notation)? Thank you. You can also email to me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: alison
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 03:29 AM

Banana boat song...... well kids would like it....

do rounds count?

Tzena Tzena, (??Russian)

Land of the Silver Birch (Canada)

Oggi Oggi Oggi, Oi Oi Oi (Welsh)

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi (Australian version!!)

as guides/ brownies we used to do "Flea"... definately call and response although its all repetition

verse may have been gibberish, but possibly a language (kumala, kumala, kumala vista)...

let me know I'll post it if you want it

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 08:39 AM

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 09:04 AM

Good morning, Alice: 1-Zum Gali Gali is an old, traditional Israeli folk song known to any Temple youth group, I'm sure. Lyrics are: (Cho.) Zum gali gali gali Zum gali gali (2x) Melody: a abcbcb, a aae,a (2x) Rhythm: ta titititititi, ta titi ta ta (2x). Verse: (phonetically, with apologies) e-cha (gutteral) lutz le mahn a-vo-dah, a-vo-dah le mahn e-cha (gutteral) lutz (2x) Rhythm: titi ta ta ta titi ta (4x). (Sing, cho., then verse, then cho. again. Can be done with 2 groups individually, then put together as a partner song.) It means, roughly: We are working along, we are singing a song. For all nations, peace is best, Til it comes we will never rest.

The others I'll get to you another time.

Also, you might want to explore the many tapes of Ella Jenkins (children looove "Did You Feed My Cow?" which is a call and response), also contemporary John Lithgow's "Singing in the Bathtub" and John Langstaff's "Songs for Singing Children."

Children love making animal sounds to "The Barnyard Song" and "Bought Me a Cat." These are found in many children's music books. There's a great series called "Share the Music" which goes grade by grade. I THINK Houghton-Mifflin or Macmillan, one of the two.

I'm interested in other responses you get, and I'll be in touch. Cordially, Sheila

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 09:55 AM

Kumala vista... I'd forgotten that one, alison, we used to sing it in Campfire Girls. Not sure what "continent" we could say it is from. I haven't checked but that is one that should be in the DT for kids. Maybe we can generate a list on this thread that can be added to the Kid's Mudcat as a resource for teachers.

Keep them coming. Lots of good ideas. Sheila, I had also forgotten that I can ask my cantor friend to teach me some Hebrew songs and Yiddish songs for kids.

Andr‚s sent me a great song of the gauchos.

Anyone know a round or some other good song for kids that is Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Phillipino, or Indian...?

Alice

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 11:35 AM

A Korean children's song, as well known to them as our "Row, row row your boat" Phonetically (with apologies): Hok yo sang ee dang dang dang Uh sa mo ee jah Sung sam nim nee oo lee ung Kee da ree shim ba. Melody: key of C g g a a g g e g g e e d g g a a g g e g e d e c Rhythm: all even notes, hold the last notes of lines 2 and 4 Means, (roughly) School bells are ringing, dang, dang, dang, This is how the children go to school. I learned this from a Korean teacher. Sheila

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 11:53 AM

Before I forget it: JAMBO Jambo (echo, Jambo)/Jambo, sana, jambo (echo, Jambo, sana, jambo). Melody: a e,(echo)d d d e c a, (echo). This is Swahili. Means: "Hello, Hello, children, hello." Rhythm: ta ta (ta ta) ta ta ti ta, ta ta.(echo-a bit of syncopation here). Follow up with verses in different languages: Bon jour,(Bon jour) bon jour, mes amies, bon jour (echo) Guten tag mein kinder;Buenos dias ninos, Shalom chaverim, etc etc etc. You'd be surprised at the languages children will tell you about and it brings them pride to be able to share their native tongues. I've gotten Swedish, Chinese, Russian-you get the idea. Good luck. Sheila

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Jeff Emmett
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 12:00 PM

Alice,

I am too brand new to the computer and this place to understand what/how to refer you to music on the Internet for the two songs I mentioned above. Sorry. They are both in the Rise Up Singing songbook, if you have one of those. If not, perhaps your local library does.

Hey! There's a thought - reference librarians are the best when searching for obscure information!

All the best,

Jeff

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Jacob B
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 02:03 PM

Alouette is a good call and response song for France. (I don't know why it took me so long to think of it.)

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 08:23 PM

My father would be appalled that i forgot Alouette! Pick up Jerry Silverman's encyclopedia of Folk Music Volumes one and Two I kno9w for a fact zum gali gali is in there as is Scotland's Burning and other call and response songs. I apologize about not thinking of it lazst night when I posted to this thread. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 08:39 PM

Thanks, everyone. I can borrow Silverman's from a friend. I also went through some of my old song books and realized I had some I had fogotten about.

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Alice
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 10:16 PM

I just talked to my friend Suzanne about this project, and she said, "You don't have to look any farther, Alice. I have the book CHILDREN'S SONGS OF THE UNITED NATIONS." So, I'll borrow that book and let you all know what I find!

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 10 Aug 00 - 03:27 PM

Alice, please keep us in mind when you go through this book. Who publishes it? Thanks, Sheila

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 10 Aug 00 - 05:03 PM

Alice; Glad to have been a help. Silverman's is a really good resource. If you get a chance buy it. It is worth the money. Let us know how the project turns out. Haul away Joe is a good song too if I didn't mention it, Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: International call and response songs
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 10 Aug 00 - 11:04 PM

Alice - Add "Tue Tue" from Ghana and "Funga Alafia" from Liberia. Sheila