Songs for a better world A-L

A jewel in the universe / Hear the stars sing***

A plea for one world

Ahmed’s smile

Alien’s are coming

Away with waste

Be a friend

Be kind

Be kind to one another

Bound for the promised land

Bread and fishes

Clean it up!

Deep blue sea

Do you know how many little stars

Earth we thank thee

Everybody smiles in the same language

Glad that I live am I

Glad to see you and welcome

Good morning dear Earth

Green lanes

Last updated: 8/8/2022 10:31 AM

The songs below are compiled and adapted by Dany Rosevear

*** Original songs by Dany Rosevear

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A jewel in the universe / Hear the stars sing 🔊

Imagine the stars could speak…What might they say? Our planet is unique in the universe; we need to look after it!

Written by Dany Rosevear with help and ideas from my eldest grandson. This adapted tune might very well be a familiar one and is very popular with my eldest grandson who hums it all the time and loves to dress up as Darth Vader.

It is adapted here with apologies by Dany Rosevear.

Stars shine, up in the universe,

Shining so brightly, in the dark night.

Tell me stars, what can you see up there,

Out in the universe, all blazing with light?

Shooting stars, comets and asteroids,

Suns, moons and planets, zoom and spin round.

Great black holes, billions of galaxies,

The wonderful Milky Way, where Earth can be found.

Stars shine, up in the universe

Shining so brightly, in the dark night.

Tell me stars, what can you see down here,

Down on our lovely Earth, our own paradise?

Oceans blue, forests and islands green,

Ice caps and glaciers, mountains sky high,

Volcanos, rivers and waterfalls,

A jewel in the universe just teeming with life.

Stars shine, up in the universe,

Shining so brightly, in the dark night.

Tell me stars, what must we do down here,

Down on our lovely Earth, to keep it’s delights?

Take good care, care of your neighbourhoods,

Wasting less water, recycle and mend,

Plant a tree, use clean energy,

Travel responsibly with family and friends.

Little jewel, our jewel in the universe,

We’ve now heard the stars sing, twinkle and sing;

We’ve listened well, we’ll do what we can to help,

Keeping our Earth home safe, for all living things,

For all living things. Spoken: For you and me!

A plea for one world 🔊

Sing in unison or as a two part round.

It was possibly written by the Jazz musician Russ Garcia and his wife Gina; they are members of the Baha'i Faith and promote World Peace. I found it in my collection of books published by the Cooperative Recreation Service / World Around Songs which suggested this was a song of the Young Pioneers translated from the Russian.

Find out more at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=10191

A plea for one world,

Is heard in many different lands.

This is a plea of a world

That is hungry for peace.

When can we all live together?

When will we all work together,

Striving to make the world better

Pledging our lives to peace?

Ahmed’s smile 🔊

A story and a prayer for the universal child.

Sometimes a news story shakes us out of our topor and captures how devastating childhood can be for so many children in war torn parts of the world. A bleak shell of a school in Yemen is where Ahmed, a blind nine-year-old with a wonderful smile, teaches a class of enthusiastic children and gives you a whisper of hope for humanity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-56212929

Words and music Dany Rosevear.

“Child of the world, child of mine,

Walk in peace a while, walk in peace my friend.”

Little child of Yemen, with eyes that cannot see,

Bravery and valour are nothing new to thee;

For Ahmed smiles and teases on the rocky road to school,

As his sister leads him onwards to a classroom bare and cruel.

“Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind,

Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and skip and sing!”

“Where have all the teachers gone?” the children call in tears,

Nine years old, young Ahmed says “Don’t worry, I am here!”

So clear of voice, so thoughtful, his words ring sure and true,

Every child he teaches listens, in that open windswept school.

“Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind,

Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and skip and sing!”

Not one complaint you’ll hear, for this is all he’s known,

In a world of grief and sorrow, where peace and sense have flown.

Bold and calm with courage helping others every day,

With family, friends and neighbours and a heart so kind and brave.

“Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind,

Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and skip and sing!”

May you touch the world tomorrow, without a fear or care,

Plant a fragrant garden to perfume the Springtime air.

Listen to wise tales of old as day turns into night,

Dream sweet dreams of better times, sleep safe ‘til morning light.

Fly with the wind, dear child, fly with the wind,

Love and learn, make friends, read books, jump and skip and sing!

Child of the world, child of mine,

Walk in peace a while, walk in peace my friend,

Walk in peace my friend.”

Aliens are coming! 🔊

The aliens are on their way at long last a holiday, destination Earth.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

In outer space there is a race,

To see who can set the fastest pace,

A fleet of aliens on their way,

Looking forward to a well earned holiday!

The aliens are coming!

For a holiday!

Hooray! For a holiday!

To a blue and green world that’s ages old,

A jewel in the universe, they’ve been told,

It’s Earth, our planet, for they have heard,

Of snowy mountains high and little birds.

Of oceans wide and forests tall,

Rivers and streams and waterfalls,

With lots of animals, every kind,

What will they see there, what will they find?

The aliens are coming!

For a holiday!

Hooray! For a holiday!

Oh, what a happy little band,

They jump up and down and clap their hands

As nearer and nearer to Earth they come,

Ready for adventure, and worldwide fun!

Excited creatures dressed in their best.

Look through the window and see - A MESS!

The air is polluted from chimneys tall,

Cars on the motorways in thousands crawl,

Forests are burning, it’s far too hot

Ice caps are melting, Earth has LOST THE PLOT!

Plastic waste floats out at sea,

“Help us!” cry the animals “Help us please!”

Spoken

What will the aliens do, turn and zoom?

Away from the Earth and past the moon?

Off to Jupiter, Venus or Mars?

Away from the factories, waste and cars?!

Then down on Earth through a megaphone

A voice cries loud and clear, “Don’t go home,

We’d love to see you, you’re welcome here,

We’ll clean it up together for a holiday next year?!!”

The aliens are coming!

For a working holiday!

HOORAY! For a working holiday!

Away with waste 🔊

And pollution!! A plea for a return to Eden.

Wake up and wise up! Don’t walk into the dark days; act responsibly and protect our planet for buffalo, tiger and me.

We must change our wasteful and polluting ways if we and our children wish to live comfortable lives in the future. There are so many things we can do to make sure our world is fit for living but we need to do them now. https://www.padstowsealifesafaris.co.uk/plastic-pollution-on-marine-life/

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Away with waste in our oceans,

Away with waste in our seas,

Away with waste in our rivers,

Earth weeps in its dark hour of need.

Clean up for the seal pup,

For octopus, dolphin and me, and me,

Refrain: And bring back, oh, bring back,

A world safe for birds, beasts and bees,

For flowers and hedges and trees,

For buffalo, tiger and me;

The world as it once used to be.

Away with waste in our cities,

Away with our wild wasteful ways,

Reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Earth needs to start a new day.

For plastic trash will last and last,

And find its way down to the sea, the sea, Refrain

Away with all cars using diesel,

Keep factories and energy clean,

For fields, farms and forests are burning

Earth weeps in its dark hour of need.

Wake up and wise up,

And plant many, many more trees, more trees,

Refrain

Be a friend 🔊

Friends enrich our lives and make us feel good. For children it is especially important that those they meet are kind and caring for we all need companionship to help us navigate our lives as healthy, happy human beings.

Friends come and go, some stay forever but we can appreciate each one however brief their aquaintance.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Be a friend, give a smile,

Say, “Hello! stay a while;

You’ll be happy when you spread love around.

Show you care, lend a hand,

Share your tears, make some plans,

Listen when everything goes wrong.

When you see someone new,

Gently ask, “How are you?”

Understand if they seem a bit shy.

Ask their name, tell them yours,

Show them round, play outdoors,

Friendship will grow by and by.

Side by side, journey on,

Arm in arm, hearts are strong;

Make every day feel worthwhile.

Skip and dance, sing a song,

Share your joy, jog along,

Give comfort to each and ev’ry child.

Be kind 🔊

Words and deeds have the power to bring hurt or happiness;use them carefully and wisely.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Be thoughtful, be caring

But most of all be kind;

For with kind deeds and warm words

Fun and laughter you will find.

You must leave behind those mean, mean words,

It will brighten up each day,

You’ll meet good friends and happy folk,

To cheer you on your way.

Be kind to one another 🔊

The way to a happier world.

Inspire children in a school assembly or class discussion to consider way that they can make a difference to the well-being of each other and our planet.

This extremely difficult pandemic has made us see the world as one entity and how each individual can affect what happens here on earth.

Let us hope that thinking can be translated to a more thoughtful attitude to our own, very dear planet. Let’s make the world smile.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear inspired by the first couplet.

Be kind to one another and every living thing,

The fish swimming in the water, the bird upon the wing.

Each tiny little creature be it ant or worm or flea;

With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d like to see.

Be kind at play together, you’ll be happy all the day,

Shun careless words and think a while of lovely things to say.

Like brilliant, bravo, well done, how are you, thank you, please;

With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d like to see.

And spread that kindness far and wide, wherever you would go,

Across earth’s mountain ranges, to oceans far below.

To dolphin, whale, orang-utan, each animal in need;

With kindness, care and loving, make a world you’d like to see.

So hug a tree, walk barefoot and let the fresh air in,

Appreciate just what we have, show gratitude within.

Then plant a tree, turn off the lights and start a compost pile;

With kindness, care and loving, feel the world give you a smile!

Bound for the promised land 🔊

A song of faith and hope.

This old hymn seems very much in tune with the present day; times are hard but if we try to remain positive the good times will come once again.

During the 1800's waves of religious revival occurred in America. This song echoes the optimism of the pioneers who travelled West.

The words were written by Samuel Stennett in 1787 and the tune composed later by M. Durham in 1835.

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand

And cast a wishful eye

To Canaan's fair and happy land,

Where my possessions lie.

Chorus:

I am bound for the promised land,

I’m bound for the promised land;

Oh, who will come and go with me?

I am bound for the promised land.

Oh, the transporting rapt'rous scene,

That rises to my sight;

Sweet fields arrayed in living green,

And rivers of Delight. Chorus

There generous fruits that never fail,

On trees immortal grow;

There rocks and hills and brooks and vales,

With milk and honey flow. Chorus

Bread and fishes 🔊

Or ‘Wind in the willows’.

Traveling with a message of hope and good will.

Written by the Lancashire folk singer Alan Alger Bell

Alan Bell obituary | Folk music | The Guardian

The tune possibly has its origins in an 18th century Irish folk tune.

A song is based on the legend that Joseph of Aramathea travelled through England with Mary and the Christ child after Joseph, the carpenter and spouse of Mary, died. Sacred Chalice, Blooming Staff: The Legend of the Glastonbury Thorn – Fellowship & Fairydust (fellowshipandfairydust.com)

It touches a chord as it is also a universal song of travel and other themes such as sharing; it reminds me of my youth when I traveled across Turkey with a Dutch friend and the kindness and friendliness I found in a Kurdish village near Mount Ararat where I was given a bed and food.

As I was a-walking one morning in Spring,

I met with some travelers in an old country lane;

One was an old man, the second a maid,

The third was a young boy who smiled as he said:

Chorus

With the wind in the willows and the birds in the sky,

There’s a bright sun to warm us wherever we lie,

We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine

To share on our journey with all of mankind.

I asked them to tell me their name and their race,

That I might remember their kindness and grace.

My name it is Joseph, this is Mary my wife,

And this is our young son our pride and delight.

But our names they mean nothing, they change throughout time,

Come sit down beside us and share in our wine.

Chorus

So I sat down beside them, the flow’rs all around,

We ate on a mantle spread out on the ground.

They told me of peoples and prophets and kings,

And they spoke of the one god who knew everything.

Chorus

“We are traveling to Glaston, through England's green lanes,

To hear of men's troubles, to hear of their pains;

We travel the wide world over land and the sea,

To tell all the people how they might be free."

Chorus

So sadly I left them, in that old country lane,

For I knew that I never would see then again;

One was an old man, the second a maid,

The third was a young boy who smiled as he said:

Chorus

Clean it up! 🔊

Imagine the animals could speak…What might they say?

Keep our world clean for everyone and every creature.

After the last lockdown I had an eagerly awaited visit from my grandkids who asked me to write a song about keeping the world clean and helped to get me started with ideas. It is their generation that will be affected by our behaviour in the past and what we continue to do now.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

White rabbit sniffs the air,

“Clean it up, clean it up!”

White rabbit sniffs the air,

“Clean it up!

For the bird flying high,

Plants and critters, you and I,

We need fresh air to breathe,

Clean it up!”

Brown bear roams the land,

“Clean it up, clean it up!”

Brown bear roams the land,

“Clean it up!

From Alaska to Iran,

There is rubbish left by man;

We need that land for food,

Clean it up!”

Red squirrel climbs the tree,

“Clean it up, clean it up!”

Red squirrel climbs the tree,

“Clean it up!

Rainforests, damp and dark,

Shady groves, woodlands, parks;

We need our trees for shelter,

Clean it up!”

Pink crab sips the water,

“Clean it up, clean it up!”

Pink crab sips the water,

“Clean it up!

In the river, pond or stream,

Where the tiny tadpoles teem;

We need it fit to drink,

Clean it up!”

Blue whale sails the oceans wide,

“Clean it up, clean it up!”

Blue whale sails the oceans wide,

“Clean it up!

Flotsam, jetsam, spoil;

Microplastic waste and oil;

We need our sealife happy,

Clean it up!

To keep us safe and healthy,

All of us

CLEAN IT UP!”

Deep blue sea 🔊

This lullaby is based on John Bell’s Peace version of the traditional song of the same name which included the line ‘It was Willie what got drownded’ sung by Odetta and Pete Seeger among others; we knew it well in the late 1960s.

The third verse is written by Dany Rosevear.

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea,

Now there's peace, in all the land,

And o’er the deep blue sea.

Sleep my child, you are safe with me,

Now there's peace, in all the land,

And o’er the deep blue sea.

Feel the love, it is all around,

Now there's peace, in all the land,

And o’er the deep blue sea.

Moon is high and the sun’s at rest,

Stars are twinkling, the night is dressed,

Dream, sweet dreams in your downy nest,

Now there's peace, in all the land,

And o’er the deep blue sea.

Do you know how many little stars 🔊

This lullaby was originally a hymn. I have adapted it to reach a wider audience and to encourage older children to consider how we can care for the wonders of our world and our place in it.

Do you know how many little stars

There are, twinkling in the skies?

Do you know how many clouds above

Every day go drifting by?

Could we count them, count them eve’ry one,

Would we miss one should it fall?

Yes, we’d miss one should it fall,

Precious little star of the night.

Do you know how many birdies

In the sunshine sing each day?

Do you know how many fishes

In the sparkling water play?

Our Earth is here for all living things,

Food and life to each is given,

With our love and care they will flourish there,

Precious wonders of our world.

Do you know how many children

Go to little beds at night,

And without a care or sorrow

Wake again with morning light?

But our parents well, each name can tell,

For us they know, and they love us so,

They’re our best and dearest friends,

Precious little child of the night.

Earth we thank thee 🔊

Giving thanks in of the Earth's bounty.

Written by Rebecca Weston in 1890; how the world has changed since then.

Earth, we thank thee for the night,

And for the pleasant morning light;

For rest and food and loving care,

And all that makes the day so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,

To be to others kind and good;

In all we do, in work or play,

To grow more loving every day.

Everybody smiles in the same language 🔊

We can all do it! There are so many reasons to smile, the main one being the connection we form with those around us, it brings us together and is an effective way to communicate.

It is also a mood booster, contagious and good for our health and well being.

Words and music by Carmino Ravosa.

1. Throw out one hand. Ring eyes with thumbs fingers and look around. 2. Shake finger. Point to penny in palm and throw out arms. As before.

Everybody smiles in the same language -

Wherever you may be.

Everybody smiles in the same language -

Just look and you will see.

Smiling doesn’t cost you one penny.

You can give them free ‘cause you got so many.

Everybody smiles in the same language -

Wherever you may be.

Glad that I live am I 🔊

Spring is coming, time to appreciate the outdoor life and the natural world surrounding us.

It is often the simple things in life that give us pleasure. A cheerful, optimistic community song that was sung regularly in primary assemblies when I was teaching.

Words by Lizette Woodworth Reese (1856-1935), music by Geoffrey Shaw. https://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/g/glad-that-i-live-am-i

Glad that I live am I;

That the sky is blue;

Glad for the country lanes

And the fall of dew.

After the sun the rain,

After the rain the sun;

This is the way of life,

Till the work be done.

All that we need to do,

Be we low or high,

Is to see that we grow,

Nearer the sky.

Glad to see you and welcome 🔊

A welcome for those arriving from places near and far.

As a young child, (my father was a pilot in the RAF) I moved from one school to another quite often, including spell in Malaya, no boarding school for me! For a young child it was exciting to discover new places and make new friends. Luckily I was always made to feel welcome in my new surroundings.

This song can be easily adapted for different settings: ‘to our library / your new school / term / year today’.

This song might be familiar to some as is it an offshoot from a lullaby I wrote recently to welcome a new baby.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Chorus

Glad to see you and welcome, to our wonderful world!

To our beautiful big family,

Glad to see you and welcome, for here you will find,

New friends and company.

We’ll care each other, be thoughtful and kind,

Share all our worries, what’s yours is mine.

Together we’ll travel, together go far,

We’ll reach for the morning star! Chorus

Whatever your language, whatever your creed,

Smile at each other and help those in need.

Together we’ll travel, together go far,

We’ll reach for the morning star! Chorus

Come out in our garden where seeds of love grow,

Where sunshine and wonder make the rainbow road glow.

Together we’ll travel, together go far,

We’ll reach for the morning star!

Good morning dear Earth 🔊

A greeting song to help children understand how we are all interconnected and part of a wider entity. Make up verses to include parts of the natural world around your own setting.

1. Touch ground. 2. Make circle above head with arms. 3. Place one hand curled on the other. 4. Open hands round face. 5. Cross forefingers and fly. 6. Cross hands at wrists and fly. 7. Open arms out then cross arms to chest.

Good morning dear Earth,

Good morning dear Sun,

Good morning, dear stones

And the flowers every one.

Good morning, dear bees,

And the birds in the trees,

Good morning to you

And good morning to me!

Green lanes 🔊

A yearning for the outdoors and a simpler, quieter life.

Spring is coming, time to appreciate the outdoor life and the natural world surrounding us This is one for my husband, an amateur historian, who has done considerable rearch on the ancient ways.

Could be used as a leavers song.

Words and music by Judith Bush. From ‘The Jolly Herring’ published I 1980 by A&C Black. Music arranged by Dany Rosevear.

Follow the old green lanes,

As the crow flies so will I.

See how the grey stone walls

Climb the fell and try to touch the sky.

Farms and cottages,

Clinging to the hillside,

Far below us and in another world.

Travel the ancient ways

With only the sheep to watch you.

See how the water tumbles

Down the fell and disappears from view.

Come travel with me,

If the spirit moves you

Time’s an illusion, so leave it far behind.

Follow the old green lanes,

As the crow flies so will I.

See how the grey stone walls

Climb the fell and try to touch the sky.

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