Songs for the Christmas season (inc Thanksgiving)
A
turkey ran away
A
turkey sat on a backyard fence
As I
came over Yonders Hill
(The
turkey song)
Bake
a cake for Christmas
Christmas
Eve in Trinidad
Christmas
is coming
Clap
your tiny hands
Dame
get up and bake your pies
Five
fat turkeys
Five
little Christmas trees
I saw
three ships
Jingle
bells
Jolly
old Saint Nicholas
Old
man of the woods
Pat-a-pan
Sing
a song of mincemeat
The
little fir tree
The
turkey
The
turkey is a funny bird
There
was a pig went out to dig
The
angel band
Three
little angels
Up on
the rooftop / housetop
We
wish you a merry Christmas
When
Santa got stuck up the chimney
Who
is coming on Christmas night?
Zumba,
Zumba / Zumbale al pandero
Also:
Mister Turkey and
Mister Duck
Last updated: 11/8/2016
2:52 PM
The songs below are part of ‘Away we
go’ compiled, adapted and
illustrated by Dany Rosevear
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author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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A turkey ran away O This
Appalachian Thanksgiving song (which possibly has Danish origins) can easily
be adapted for the Christmas season; just make up new verses to include
seasonal foods. Verses 4&5 are by Derek Pearson. Last verse added by Dany
Rosevear. Roll arms or walk round on the spot each time
‘rolled’ is sung. Jump up for ‘potato’. Flap elbows for each ‘gobble’. |
A turkey
ran away, Before
Thanksgiving Day. Said he,
“They’ll make a meal of me, If I
should stay!” A pumpkin rolled away, Before Thanksgiving Day. Said she "They’ll make a
pie of me, If I should stay!” A cranberry rolled away, Before Thanksgiving Day. Said he,
“They’ll make a meal of me, If I
should stay!” A nice potato too, Jumped from the ground and flew. Said she "They’ll roast me
through and through, If I should stay!” And then
a brussel sprout Said
“Now I must get out, I’m sure
they’ll boil my life away If I should stay!” A turkey
ran away, Before
Thanksgiving Day. Crying,
“Gobble gobble, gobble, gobble, Gobble gobble, gobble!” Yes , “Gobble gobble, gobble, gobble, I’m off and away! |
A turkey sat on a backyard fence O (Gobble, gobble, gobble) A song for
Thanksgiving by Margaret I. Simpson and June M. Norton from a 1950s book
‘Singing and Rhyming’. Flap elbows for each ‘gobble’. |
A turkey
sat on a backyard fence And he
sang this sad, sad tune, “Thanksgiving
Day is coming, gobble, gobble,
gobble, gobble, And I
know I’ll be eaten soon. Gobble,
gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, I would
like to run away, Gobble,
gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, I don't
like Thanksgiving Day!” |
As I came over Yonders HillO (The turkey song) A folk song
from Northern Wisconsin; It is
sometimes sung as ’yonder hill’ Roud no: 4234 |
As I
came over Yonders Hill, mime going over a hill I spied
a mighty turkey, make a monocle
with hands He
flapped his wings and he spread his tail Flap
elbows then spread hands in front And his
feet were awful dirty. Point to
feet, clap twice and click heels. Chorus: Fol link
a tidy, Pat legs twice, clap hands twice Fol de
link a tidy o, Pat legs x2, pat shoulders x2 Fol link
a tidy, As above And his
feet were awful dirty. As above. I met
him by an old beech tree, And told
him he looked pretty, He
flapped his wings and he spread his tail But his
feet looked awful dirty. And so I
said to that turkey bird, "How
would you taste for dinner?" He
flapped his wings and he spread his tail And he
made himself look thinner. "You
can't catch me, my little laddie, I've got
a wife and children," He
flapped his wings and he spread his tail And he
took to the woods a running. So I
went back over Yonders Hillf, Without
that mighty turkey, He
flapped his wings and he spread his tail And his
feet looked awful dirty. |
Bake a cake for Christmas A seasonal
cooking and feasting rhyme for Christmas. Haven’t been
able to find this rhyme anywhere – any ideas!!! |
Bake a cake for Christmas, Stir it with a spoon, Pop it in the oven and Pull it out at noon. Spread the frosting on it; What a pretty sight! For you and me and Santa Claus, To see on Christmas night. Bake a cake for Christmas, Stir it with a spoon, Pop it in the oven and Pull it out at noon. Spread the frosting on it; Hip, hip, hooray! Now you and me and Santa Claus, Shall eat it on Christmas day. Mmmmh! |
Christmas Eve in Trinidad 🔊 This was a
popular song for the Christmas festivities when I taught at Wilkes Green
School in Handsworth, Birmingham in the 1960s. Many of the children in class
were born of recently arrived Jamaicans immigrants; it didn’t seem to matter
that the song was based in Trinidad – the calypso rhythm was the attraction. Words and
music by: Massie Patterson and Sammy Heyward. |
Santa, whatya
doing Christmas Eve? At my house what are you
going to leave; Santa how you going to
make the reindeer go? In Port of Spain Santa we
don’t have snow. Christmas Eve in Trinidad,
Children are good not one
is bad. What a night for girls and
boys, Santa will bring them
plenty of toys. |
Christmas is coming O This rhyme was
written by. The original version has ‘Please to put a penny’ There are
several tunes some written commercially. I remember it being chanted or sung
with the simple melody below.. |
Christmas is coming, The geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the
old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a
penny, A ha’penny
will do. If you haven’t got a ha’penny, Then God bless you! |
Clap your tiny hands 🔊 Words and
music arranged by Dany Rosevear. This is a song
I half heard one Sunday morning on BBC Radio 4 about thirty years ago, it was
sung beautifully by some old fellow in the West Indies. I adapted it
for a Nativity play two decades ago – but didn’t record it! It is now
resurrected in a form that might be recognisable to someone out there though
recent research on the internet suggests the original might have been the
gospel song, ‘Clap your tiny hands for joy’. This could be sung to a baby while clapping their
hands gently together. Encourage young children to clap along with the music. |
Clap
your tiny hands, clap your tiny hands, Clap
your tiny hands for me, Clap
your tiny hands, clap your tiny hands, Clap
your tiny hands for me. Little
children sing, Christmas joy we bring, Clap
your tiny hands for me, Clap
your tiny hands, clap your tiny hands, Clap
your tiny hands for me. Little
children come, Christmas time is fun… Little
children shout, Christmas bells ring out… |
Dame, get up and bake your pies O Midwinter
festivals are nearly always accompanied by food and feasting. Everyone in the
past would have been busy preparing for Christmas making sweetmeats,
gingerbread, marzipan treats, cakes, Christmas puddings and pies.; no visits
to the supermarket! Mince pies were originally made of meat and an oval shape
to represent the manger that the baby Jesus lay in. |
Dame, get up and bake your pies, Bake your pies, bake your pies; Dame, get up and bake your pies, On Christmas day in the morning. Dame, what makes your maidens
lie, Maidens lie, maidens lie; Dame, what makes your maidens
lie On Christmas day in the morning? Dame, what makes your ducks to
die, Ducks to die, ducks to die; Dame, what makes your ducks to
die, On Christmas day in the morning? Their wings are cut, they cannot
fly, Cannot fly, cannot fly; Their wings are cut, they cannot
fly, On Christmas day in the morning. |
Five fat
turkeys are we O Explore ways
of expressing the same words by singing in different tones: quietly in case the
cook hears, loudly as if crowing how clever they are, wearily as if tired,
angrily – how dare the cook try to cook them! Alternatively use as a hand
play as below. 1. Put up five fingers. 2. Put closed hands to
cheek. 3-4. Put hand to forehead in seeking mode. 5. Point to self. |
Five fat turkeys are we, We slept all night in a tree, When the cook came around, We couldn’t be found, And that's why we're here, you see! Oh, five fat turkeys are we, We slept all night in a tree. It sure does pay, On Thanksgiving Day, To sleep in the tallest tree! |
Five little Christmas trees O Use fingers,
hands and arms to mime the actions in this song. |
Five little Christmas
trees Standing straight and
tall; Stretch out their branches
As the snow begins to
fall. Along comes a woodcutter, He’s on his way to town. Chip chop! Chip chop! A tree falls down. Four little Christmas
trees... Three little Christmas
trees... Two little Christmas
trees... One little Christmas tree Standing straight and
tall; Stretches out its branches
As the snow begins to
fall. Along comes a woodcutter, He’s on his way to town. Chip chop! Chip chop! The tree falls down. No little Christmas trees Standing straight and
tall; Where have they gone As the snow softly falls? Each one is in a cosy
house Decked with Christmas
cheer. They wish you Merry
Christmas And a Happy New Year! |
I saw three ships O I have failed to
find this secular children’s version of the Christmas song on the internet
and would be delighted could tell me its origins. The older and more
traditional version tells of the Virgin Mary taken to Bethlehem. Find more
at: |
I saw
three ships come sailing by, On
Christmas day, on Christmas day, I saw
three ships come sailing by, On
Christmas day in the morning. And what
was in those ships all three, On
Christmas day, on Christmas day, And what
was in those ships all three, On
Christmas day in the morning. Three
jolly rats were in them then, On
Christmas day, on Christmas day, Three jolly rats were in them then, On Christmas
day in the morning. Now one
could whistle and one could sing, And one
could play the violin. They
joyfully played at the cat’s wedding, On
Christmas day in the morning. |
Jingle bells O This song was
written by James Lord Pierpoint in the 19th
century. To find out more visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells The chorus of
this song is a very compelling one and simple for young children to sing with
gusto at Christmas time. |
Jingle
bells, jingle bells, Jingle
all the way, Oh, what
fun it is to ride In a one
horse open sleigh. Dashing
through the snow In a one
horse open sleigh, O’er the
fields we go, Laughing
all the way. Bells on
bobtail ring Making
spirits rise. What fun
it is to ride and sing A
sleighing song tonight! Jingle bells,
jingle bells... |
Jolly old Saint Nicholas O What is your
name for Father Christmas: Santa Claus, Saint Nick? This American
carol was written by Benjamin Hanby. With its
simple tune it is a popular recorder or piano favourite for those showing off
their burgeoning musical skills at Christmas time. |
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Lean your ear this way; Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say, Christmas Eve is coming soon, Now my dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to
me; Tell me if you can. When the clock is striking
twelve, When I'm fast asleep, Down the chimney broad and
black, With your pack you'll creep; All the stockings you will
find Hanging in a row; Mine will be the shortest
one, You'll be sure to know. Johnny wants a pair of
skates; Susy wants a sled; Nellie wants a story book; One she hasn't read. As for me, I hardly know What to give the rest; Choose for me, dear Santa
Claus, What you think is best. |
Old man of the woods O This song for Christmas
time comes from ‘Thirty folk settings for children’ words by Anne Mendoza to
a Welsh folk tune which I found recently in an Oxfam book shop. It can also
be found in the BBC Publication Singing Together, Autumn 1970. Mime swinging an axe with a strong rhythm as the
song is sung. |
Chopping trees and cutting branches; In the wood there is an old man. In the wood there is an old man, Chopping trees and cutting branches. Trees for Christmas tall or short ones, In the wood the old man's chopping, In the wood the old man's chopping, Trees for Christmas tall or short ones. Come and buy now all good people From the old man in the wood, From the old man in the wood, Come and buy now all good people. |
Pat-a-pan O Pat-a-pan is a
French Burgundian carol that dates back to the 17th C. There are many
loose translations of this song but this version felt right for young
children. By its very
nature it is a perfect Christmas song to accompany with percussion. |
William bring your little drum, Robin, bring your flute and
come; We will
listen as you play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan, Flute and
drum together play, On a happy
Christmas Day. Children bring your flute and
drum, For it’s time to have some fun! We’ll be merry as you play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan, Listen to the lovely sound’ Sing and dance and jump around! Children bring your flute and
drum, For the festive time has come! We’ll be merry as you play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan, We’ll be merry as you play, Sing and dance this Christmas
Day! |
Sing a song of mincemeat O This poem by
Elizabeth Gould works very well with the tune ‘Sing a song of sixpence’ A great excuse for finding a good recipe in the
run up to Christmas. |
Sing a song of mincemeat, Currants, raisins, spice, Apples, sugar, nutmeg, Everything that’s nice. Stir it with a ladle, Wish a lovely wish, Drop it in the middle, Of your well-filled dish. Stir again for good luck, Pack it all away, Tied in little jars and pots, Until Christmas Day. |
The angel band O An
Afro-American spiritual with a great rhythm and a fun way to count to ten. |
There
was one, there were two, There
were three little angels, There
were four, there were five, There
were six little angels, There
were seven, there were eight, There
were nine little angels, Ten
little angels in the band. Wasn't
that a band one Christmas morning, Christmas
morning, Christmas morning, Wasn't
that a band one Christmas morning, Christmas morning so soon! |
The little fir tree O This Christmas
song comes from ‘Making music your own 2’; I presume it has been translated
from another language by Margaret Marks possibly German as it is classed as
traditional but I can find nothing about it on the internet. |
The fir
trees in the silent wood Grew
slowly tall and strong. All
through the summer there they stood, And all
the winter long. The
furry rabbits hopped about Beneath
their boughs all day, Until a
wolf came bounding out To
frighten them away. There
came a woodsman in the sleigh To cut a
fir tree down. He chose
a tree and chopped away And
carried it to town. The
little fir tree bright with toys Stands
here on Christmas day, And all
the children gather round To clap
hands, dance and play. |
The turkey O A Hungarian
children’s song ‘Debreczenbe kene
menni’ Bela Bartok used this tune for one of his
piano compositions. Mime driving and bumping up and down. |
This old
road is hard and bumpy, Our new
turkey's wild and jumpy. Driver!
Driver! Not so jerky! Or
you'll make us lose our turkey. Debre
tsenbe kayne menni, Puykahkahkasht
kayne venni, Veedyaz
kocheesh yukash a kash, Keeehshik
a puykahkahkash. |
The turkey is a funny bird O A Thanksgiving
song and simple hand play for younger children. Hold up hand with palm facing out. Wrap other hand
over thumb with fingers towards you, and
thumb extended Wag thumb back and forth for second and fourth
lines. |
The
turkey is a funny bird, It’s
head goes wibble, wobble. And it
only knows a single word, “Gobble,
gobble, gobble.” |
There was a pig went out to dig O This song with
its delightful minor key (unusual for Yuletide season) originated as a
mummer’s carol which linked the farming cycle of ploughing, planting and
harvesting to the Christmas festivities. A great
Christmas song for making up rhymes and other seasonal animals could be
included – there was a robin went out a-bobbin’. |
There
was a pig went out to dig, Chris-i-mas
day, on Chris-i-mas day, There
was a pig went out to dig, On
Chris-i-mas day in the morning. There was
a cow went out to plough, Chris-i-mas
day, on Chris-i-mas day, There
was a cow went out to plough, On
Chris-i-mas day in the morning. There
was a sparrow went out to harrow... There
was a crow went out to sow... There
was a sheep went out to reap... |
Three little angels 🔊
A comic
community song. More verses can be added. |
Three
little angels all dressed in white, Tried to
get to heaven on the end of a kite; But the
kite string broke and down they all fell, They
couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two
little angels... One
little angel... Three
little devils all dressed in red, Tried to
get to heaven on the end of a bed; But the
bed post broke and down they all fell, They
couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two
little devils... One
little devil... Three
little leprechauns all dressed in green, Tried to
get to heaven on a sewing machine; But the
needle broke and down they all fell, They
couldn't get to heaven so they all went to... Two
little leprechauns... One
little leprechaun... Dont get
excited, dont lose your head, Instead
of going to heaven they all went to bed! |
Up on the rooftop / housetop O The original
music and words of this Victorian Christmas song were written by Benjamin R Hanby around 1864. Originally a preacher from Ohio he
introduced it at a Quaker Christmas party in Indiana. Find out more at: http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/up_on_the_housetop.htm Several updated adaptations can be found on the
internet and in the same spirit I have modified the second and third verse to
reflect today’s present giving. |
Up on the
rooftop reindeer pause, Out
jumps good old Santa Claus. Down
through the chimney with lots of toys, All for
the little ones, Christmas joys. Chorus Ho, ho,
ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho,
ho! Who wouldn’t go? Up on
the housetop, click, click, click, Down
through the chimney with good Saint Nick. First
comes the stocking of little Nell; Oh how
Santa has filled it well; Here is
a teddy, she laughs and cries, Each
little parcel a big surprise! Chorus Next
comes the stocking of little Will, Oh, just
see what a glorious fill; Here is
a hammer and lots of tacks Also a
train and a railway track. Chorus. Pa, ma,
and uncle, and grandma too, All I
declare have something new; Even the
baby enjoys his part, Shaking
a rattle, well bless his heart. Chorus Rover come
here, are you all alone, Haven't
they tossed you an extra bone? Here's
one to gladden your honest jaws Now wag
a "Thank you!" to Santa Claus. |
We wish you a Merry Christmas O The Christmas
pudding has always been eaten for dessert At the Christmas meal. Filled with
all sorts of rich and sweet ingredients and decorated with holly. Rum or
brandy is poured over the pudding and set alight. Children still hunt for the
hidden coins though since the disappearance of the sixpence this practice has
become less common. Sing the
chorus after each verse. |
We wish
you a merry Christmas, We wish
you a merry Christmas, We wish
you a merry Christmas, And a
happy New Year. Chorus Good
tidings we bring To you
and your kin, We wish
you a merry Christmas, And a
happy New Year. Now
bring us some figgy pudding x3 And
bring some out here. We all
like our figgy pudding x3 With all
its good cheer. We won’t
go until we’ve got some x3 So bring
some out here. |
When Santa got stuck up the
chimney O The version
below of this traditional song was sung by Jimmy Grafton but there are many
other versions to be found on the internet. |
When Santa got stuck up the chimney, he began to
shout; "You girls and boys won't get any toys if you
don't pull me out. My beard is black, There's soot in my sack, My nose is tickling too!" When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! 'Twas on the eve before Christmas day, When Santa Claus arrived on his sleigh. Into a chimney he climbed with his sack, But he was so fat, he couldn't get back. Oh, what a terrible plight! He stayed up there all night. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, he began to
yell; "Oh hurry, please. It's all such a squeeze.
The reindeer's stuck as well! His head's up there in the cold night air, And his
nose was red; now it's blue." When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! So Rudolph tugged with all his might, But Santa Claus was stuck very tight. He wiggled and jiggled then cried with a frown: "I'll never get up. I'll never get down, Oh, what a terrible fuss! We should have come by bus." |
Who is coming on Christmas night? O A song written
by Claire Senior Burke. Children love
to show that they know the name of this popular festive visitor! A good
opportunity for discussing Santa’s many names and origins. |
Who is
coming on Christmas night? With a
red, red coat and hair so white. Eyes that
sparkle like a starry light? I know!
Don’t you? Who has
a bag all packed with toys And
wonderful things for girls and boys, And a
beautiful sleigh that makes no noise? I know!
Don’t you? Who
brings a dolly and a motor car, Peppermints
and toffees and a chocolate bar? Who
hangs his hat upon the Christmas star? I know!
Don’t you? |
Zumba, Zumba / Zumbale al
pandero 🔊 This is a Christmas
song from Spain. The English verses are completely different from the
traditional Spanish words which can be easily found on the internet. I love
this video of young Spanish children singing the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZaBM5E6RSk A great song
for using percussion. |
Zumba,
Zumbale al pandero, Al
pandero y al rabel Toca,
toca la zambomba, Dale
dale al almirez, Dale
dale al almirez. Born on this
night is a baby, Toumba toum! Everyone
brings him a present, Toumba toum! Brings
him a savoury meat pie, Toumba toum! Made out
of partridge and pheasant. Toumba toum! Zumba,
Zumba, strike the cymbal, Zumba,
Zumba, strike the gong, Zumba,
Zumba, beat the timbal, And the
tambourine and drum, And the
tambourine and drum. What
shall I take to the baby? Toumba toum! What
shall I say when I take it? Toumba
toum! I’ll
bring a gourd for a rattle, Toumba
toum! I’ll ask
his mother to shake it. Toumba toum! |
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