A Child's World of Lullabies-Multicultural Songs For Quiet Times by Hap Palmer

This theme of diversity is reflected in the variety of musical styles; melodies from serene to tenderly spirited created a loving environment in which children can sing together, play quietly or peacefully drift off to sleep. Hap's original compositions Counting Miracles, Spinning on the Same Ball, A New World to Explore, Old Rocking Chair and Sleep On (based on a melody by Brahms) are combined with lullabies from many lands: Sleep My Baby (Nigeria), A La Nanita Nana (Spain), The Bambo Flute (China), Chippewa Lullaby (Native American), Hush Little Baby (England/Appalachia), All Night All Day (African American Spiritual) and Dormite Niñito (El Salvador).

The soothing voices and rich harmonies of Hap and his sister Penny are accompanied by the sounds of acoustic guitar, piano, string quartet, woodwind ensemble, mandolin, dobro, fiddle and accordion. Children also learn about the music of many cultures by hearing the sounds of instruments from around the world: from China, the bamboo flute and gu-jen (Chinese harp); from Spain the Spanish guitar; from France the celesta; and from Nigeria the shekere, kannago and dundun. Native American instruments include the Chippewa flute, North American council drum, tarahuamara drum, chicahuasti and Yaqui dance belt. Children will be fascinated by this mixture of sounds and rhythms which provides a peaceful transition between play time and quit time.

Lyrics

Counting Miracles

Words and Music: Hap Palmer

How many stars are up in the sky?

How many grains of sand on the shore?

How many fish swim down in the sea?

''Tho we may count there will always be more

Chorus: We could count miracles all night long,

One by one

On and on we would never be done

So go to sleep, my little one

How many blades of grass in the field?

How many birds fly up in the air?

How many shells on the ocean floor?

Lifes many wonders abound everywhere

Repeat Chorus

How many berries hang on the vine?

How many seeds does the spring breeze sow?

How many leaves are up in the tree?

Just when we know more new ones will grow

Repeat Chorus

Go to sleep, go to sleep

Go to sleep, my little one

For one thing I know is true

The sweetest miracle is you

Yes, one thing I know is true

The sweetest miracle is you

Hush Little Baby

Traditional - Additional Words and Music: Hap Palmer

Hush little baby don't say a word

Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird don't sing

Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring is brass

Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke

Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat

Papa's gonna buy you, Papa's gonna buy you

Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat don't pull

Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over

Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover don't bark

Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down

You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town

Still be the sweetest, still be the sweetest

You're still the sweetest baby in town

Sleep My Baby

Lullaby from Nigeria

Sleep, my baby, near to me

Lu, lu, lu- lu, lu, lu-

Close your velvet eyes

Far away in their nest

Baby birds flutter down to rest

High in the trees far from harm

Tiny monkey sleeps

Deep in his mother's arms

Sleep, my baby, near to me

Lu, lu, lu- lu, lu, lu-

Close your velvet eyes

A La Nanita Nana

Spanish Folk Melody English Words Hap Palmer

A la nanita nana, nanita ea, nanita ea-

Mi nina, tiene sueno bendito sea, bendito sea

Sounds of the night surround you

A soft breeze is blowing

Nearby the little fountain

Is sparkling and flowing

Hush while the cradle's swaying

Swaying and swinging

Listen and hear the song of the

Nightingale singing

A la nanita nana, nanita ea, nanita ea-

Mi nina, tiene sueno bendito sea, bendito sea

All Night, All Day

African American Spiritual Additional Words: Hap Palmer

Chorus: All night, all day

Angels watchin' over me, my lord

All night, all day

Angels watchin' over me -

Now I lay me down to sleep

Angels watchin' over me, my lord

Pray the Lord my soul to keep

Angels watchin' over me -

Repeat Chorus

Bless this precious earth we share

Angels watchin' over me, my lord

Land and water, plants and air

Angels watchin' over me -

Bless each home and family

Angels watchin' over me, my lord

Help us all sleep peacefully

Angels watchin' over me -

Repeat Chorus

Chippewa Lullaby

Chippewa - Native American Lullaby

Pine tree gently sigh

Sing a lullaby

For my baby

Little brooklet flow

Murmur soft and low

For my baby

Breezes come and sing

Let the cradle swing

For my baby

Spinning On The Same Ball

Words and Music: Hap Palmer

Somewhere boys and girls in a far off land

Are waking up just as we say goodnight

They may not look like you or do the things you do

But within we're very much alike

The sadness in a tear, the comfort of a hug

Are feelings every child can understand

And laughter is a sound known the world around

The meaning is the same in every land

Chorus: 'Cause we're all spinning on the same ball

Sailing through the same vast space

We're all spinning on the same ball

Living in the very same place

Hunger knows no language, thirst no boundary

They feel the same wherever people live

And a simple act of care, can happen anywhere

We see the need and take the time to give

Repeat Chorus

'Tho we learn to talk to God in different ways

The need to find life's meaning is the same

God looks with equal grace on every color face

And answers prayers to many different names

Repeat Chorus

Yes, we're living in the very same place

A New World To Explore

Words and Music: Hap Palmer

What do you see, my baby,

What do you see, my love?

Are you looking out the window

At the stars above?

Do you see the paintings

Hanging on the wall?

Or your Teddy bear up on the shelf

Beside your bright blue ball?

All the world is fresh and new

A mystery to you

But now it's time to sleep, my dear

Knowing I'll be near

Chorus: Close your eyes

Let me rock you off to sleep,

A peaceful slumber calm and deep,

Keep you safe through the night,

To greet the morning light

Close your eyes

Tomorrow is a bright new day

The sun will send a golden ray

Wake you up in the morn

With a new world to explore

What do you see, my baby?

Innocent eyes aglow

What you spy with open wonder

I may not always know

Do you see your dolly

Lying on the rug

Or that spider as she weaves her web

To catch a flying bug?

All the world is fresh and new

A mystery to you

But now it's time to sleep, my dear

Knowing I'll be near

Repeat Chorus:

Close your eyes, close your eyes

Close your eyes, close your eyes

Old Rocking Chair

Words and Music: Hap Palmer

Lean back, snuggle in my lap

Tonight let's take time to share

Quiet sounds and peaceful sights

Outside in the old rocking chair

Chorus: We're rocking, we're rocking

We're rocking tonight

Rocking, we're rocking

Beneath the moonlight

Dusk covers the valley

Stars slowly come into sight

Birds chatter among the trees

Before saying goodnight

Crickets sing a merry song

The night breeze whispers a prayer

Nature plays her lullaby

Heard from the old rocking chair

Repeat Chorus

Shadows dance across the porch

Cast by the heaven's soft glare

Rich designs of rustling leaves

Surround the old rocking chair

Repeat Chorus

Wood weathered by years of use

Seat tattered and worn with wear

But lean back in those aging arms

And no place can compare

Yes lean back in those aging arms

And no place can compare

Bambo Flute

Lullaby from China

From the bamboo mother makes a flute,

Bamboo flute for baby small

Held in little hands,

Pressed to rosy lips,

Lilting melodies rise and fall

Lu, lu, lu, lu, melodies rise and fall

Lu, lu, lu, lu, sleepy heads nod and fall

Dormite Niñito

Lullaby from El Salvador

Dormite, niñito; no llores chiquito

Vendrán angelitos las sombras de noche.

Rayitos de luna, rayitos de plata

Alumbran mi niño que está en la cuna.

Rayitos del sol el cielo azul

Dejan dormir y empieza vivir.

Dormite, niñito, con ojos diamantes

Estrellas brillantes florido el cielo

Now sleep, little baby; don't cry, little darling

The angels are coming with shadows of evening

The rays of the moonlight spin fine threads of silver

To shine on my baby asleep in the cradle

The rays of the sun, the blue of the sky

Will wake you from dreams when morning is nigh

Now sleep, little baby, with eyes bright as diamonds

And brilliant as starlight that shines from the heavens

Note: in this lullaby from El Salvador, the word "dormite"

is traditionally used instead of the word "duermete"

Sleep On

Music: Johannes Brahms - Additional Words and Music: Hap Palmer

The flowers all sleep soundly

Beneath the moon's bright ray

They nod their heads together

And dream the night away

The rustling trees wave to and fro

And murmur soft and low

Sleep on; sleep on; sleep on, my little one

The birds sleep in the branches

The horse lies in the hay,

The dolphins say goodnight

Floating peacefully in the bay

The bear is snuggled in its den

The pig sleeps in the pen

Sleep on; sleep on; sleep on, my little one

The hens sleep in their house

Roosting quietly in a row

The mice out in the field

Burrow down in the earth below

The monkeys sleep up in a tree

The fish down in the sea

Sleep on; sleep on; sleep on, my little one

The baby kangaroo

Snoozes safe in its mother's pouch

The dog is dozing off

Curled up by the parlor couch

The weary turtle slides inside

It's cozy shell to hide

Sleep on; sleep on; sleep on, my little one

The camels slumber under

A star filled desert sky

The cat lies on the rug

While her kittens sleep nearby

The drowsy cows sleep peacefully

Underneath the tree

Sleep on; sleep on; sleep on, my little one

About the Author

Hap Palmer, educator and singer/songwriter, is an innovator in the use of music and movement to teach basic skills and encourage the use of imagination and creativity. He has been referred to by Parents' Choice as the dean of children's music. For over twenty years his recordings have been widely used in schools and day care centers.

A songwriter, musician, singer, dancer and educator, he conducts workshops and presents concerts throughout the nation. He has taught courses for various education extension programs, participated in volunteer programs for the Los Angeles Unified School District and directed classes in creative movement for children, physical fitness, and tap dance. He has also performed with the UCLA Dance Company, and the Pierce College Dance Theater. His educational background includes an M.A. in Dance Education from the University of California at Los Angeles.

His recordings and videos have received numerous honors including the Parents' Choice Award, the American Library Association Notable Recording designation, the American Library Association Best of the Best for Children, the National Parenting Publications Award, the Early Childhood News Directors Choice Award, and the American Video Award.

Produced by: Hap Palmer, Miriam Mayer Arranged by: Miriam Mayer Vocals: Hap Palmer, Penny Palmer Vocal Arrangements: Hap Palmer Engineer: John Slattery Recording Consultant: Tom Perry Piano: Steve Kaplan Acoustic, Classical and Electric Guitars: Grant Geisman Spanish Guitar: Steve Carnelli Acoustic Guitar: Hap Palmer Bass, Acoustic Bass: Jim Garafalo Drums: Tom Walsh Violins: Peter Kent, Robin Lorrentz Viola: Tom Tally Cello: Matt Cooker Fiddle: Miriam Mayer Nigerian Percussion: Francis Awe Chippewa Flute, Native American Percussion: Guillermo Martinez Accordion, Celeste, Piano: Doug Legacy Gu-Jen: Hui Zhao Flute, Bamboo Flute: Suzanne Teng Flute, Oboe, Clarinet: Jon Kip Spanish Consultants: Oscar Contraras, Raphael Juarez Designed and Illustrated by: Carol Schumacher Onaitis Guide Editor: Paula Benjamin Little All Songs © 1993 Hap-Pal Music, Inc.

©Hap-Pal Music. All rights reserved. These songs and activities are for the personal use of parents and teachers only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Hap-Pal Music, Box 323 Topanga, CA 90290 e-mail: hap@netwood.net

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