Seasonal songs

Spring P-S

Pancake Day

Pop a little pancake

Pussy got the measles

Pussy willow

Sakura / Cherry blossoms

See the dragon dance and prance

“Shall I sing?” said the lark

Shrove Tuesday

Silver raindrops patter

Snowdrop bells

Someone’s making pancakes

Sounds of Spring

Spring carol

Spring-clean tideo

Spring cleaning

Spring has come

Spring has now unwrapped its flowers

Spring has sprung

Spring is coming (1)

Spring is coming (2)

Spring is here

Spring secret

Spring song

Spring song / Frogs croak

Spring’s waking

Sweet bird in the maple tree

Also find Spring poems and songs at:

Two little chickens

Little Tommy Tadpole

Pussy willow

If you see a daffodil

Last updated: 2/22/2021 11:05 AM

The songs below are part of ‘Away we go’ compiled, adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

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To listen to music from these songs click on O 🔊

To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the following conditions:

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Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.

Pancake Day 🔊

This song was broadcast on BBC Television for Schools ‘Watch’ programme from the mid 1970s onwards.

It was adapted by Liz Benett from the traditional Dutch song ‘Hop Marjanneke’ which you can find at: http://www.singinggamesforchildren.com/A%20Cluster%202.8%20Dutch/1-6%20In%20Holland%20staat%20een%20huis.htm

Pancake Day, Pancake Day,

Now’s the time to fry them,

Pancake Day, Pancake Day,

Now’s the time to fry.

For today is Sunday,

And tomorrow’s Monday,

Tuesday, hey, is Pancake Day,

Let’s dance our cares away.

Toss them high, toss them high,

Toss them to the ceiling.

Toss them high, toss them high,

Catch them as they fall.

On the table pop them,

Don’t you dare to drop them!

Tuesday, hey, is Pancake Day,

Let’s dance our cares away.

Pop a little pancake O

Shrove Tuesday in Britain is traditionally the time for making pancakes to use up all the good things in the larder before Lent begins. It is also a time for pancake races and the tossing of pancakes.

Pop a little pancake into a pan,

That’s for my dinner today.

Toss it in the air up high, high, high...x3

That’s for my dinner today.

Shake on the sugar with a shake, shake, shake...x3

That’s for my dinner today.

Squeeze on the lemon with a squeeze, squeeze, squeeze...x3

That’s for my dinner today.

Roll it all around with a roly poly roll...x3

That’s for my dinner today.

Pop it in my mouth with a yum, yum, yum...x3

That’s for my dinner today.

Pussy got the measles O

I found the first verse of this song in Bill Meek’s ‘Moonpenny’.

Jean Ritchie was familiar with the original morbid Irish version which included verses about the death of the cat; she adapted the music to suit her inimitable style of singing and added the more soothing words as below to keep her children happy!

I also remember a playground chant and game ‘The cat’s got the measles, the measles, the measles, The cat’s got the measles, the measles got the cat’.

Pussy got the measles, on the first day of Spring,

The first day of Spring, the first day of Spring,

Pussy got the measles on the first day of Spring,

The poor, the poor, the poor wee thing.

We'll send for the doctor with his pills and things,

Pills and things, pills and things,

We'll send for the doctor with his pills and things,

The poor, the poor, the poor wee thing.

We'll make her some soup on a chicken's wing,

A chicken's wing, a chicken's wing,

We'll make her some soup on a chicken's wing,

The poor, the poor, the poor wee thing.

And all night long we will rock and sing,

Rock and sing, rock and sing,

And all night long we will rock and sing,

The poor, the poor, the poor wee thing.

Pussy willow 🔊

A winter to spring hand play.

A song by Mary Root Kern from ‘Songs of childhood’ published 1923.

Tune adapted and arranged by Dany Rosevear.

1. Shape sun, melt snow away. Hand moves like stream. Hand to eyes.

2. Raise fingers behind hand. Hand moves like brook. Stroke fur.

The sun has melted all the snow,

And icy streams begin to flow,

Pussy Willow, Pussy Willow,

Will you soon be here?

Pussy Willow, Pussy Willow,

Will you soon be here?

Behind a sunny, quiet nook,

Beside a busy little brook,

Pussy Willow, Pussy Willow,

Shows her sil’vry fur,

Pussy Willow, Pussy Willow,

Shows her sil’vry fur.

Sakura / Cherry blossoms 🔊

A popular Japanese folk song. It was once played at court and is often accompanied by the koto, a Japanese harp, played on the floor by a kneeling musician.

One of the favourite Spring pastimes in Japan is cherry blossom viewing or ‘hanani’.

Visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakura_Sakura to hear it sung in Japanese and to find out more about this song.

Blossoms pink, blossoms fair,

Floating lightly in the air,

‘Tis not mist or clouds one sees

But countless lovely cherry trees

Wafting fragrance in the breeze.

Come and see, come and see,

Springtime is for cherry trees.

Sakura, sakura,

Yayoino sorawa.

Miwatasu kagiri,

Kasumika kumoka.

Nioizo izuru,

Izaya, izaya,

Mini yukan.

See the dragon dance and prance 🔊

Chinese New Year was a great time in school, We made a large dragon head out of boxes and dragony drapes under which the whole class danced, whirling and twirling to songs like this one accompanied by cymbals and other metal instruments.

See the dragon dance and prance, dance and prance, dance and prance.

See the dragon dance and prance on Chinese New Year's Day.

See the lanterns swing and sway, swing and sway, swing and sway,

See the lanterns swing and sway on Chinese New Year's Day.

Hear the fireworks pop and bang, pop and bang, pop and bang, pop and bang,

Hear the fireworks pop and bang on Chinese New Year's Day.

Hear the cymbals clash and clang, clash and clang, clash and clang,

Hear the cymbals clash and clan on Chinese New Year's Day.

See the dragon shake its tail, shake its tail, shake its tail.

See the dragon shake its tail on Chinese New Year's Day.

See the dragon weave and turn, weave and turn, weave and turn,

See the dragon weave and turn, on Chinese New Year's Day.

Hear the children laugh and clap, laugh and clap laugh and clap.

Hear the children laugh and clap, on Chinese New Year's Day.

See the dragon go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep.

See the dragon go to sleep on Chinese New Year's Day.

“Shall I sing?” said the lark 🔊

Also called ‘April’, The first verse is from ‘The Children's Encyclopedia’ by Arthur Mee. The second two verses by Margaret Lane can be found ‘Harlequin – 44 songs around the year’ published by A&C Black. Music by Dany Rosevear.

This could easily be played as a hand play.

"Shall I sing?" says the lark,

"Shall I bloom?" says the flower;

"Shall I come?" says the sun,

"Or shall I?" says the shower.

You must sing, happy lark,

For cold winter’s sleep is past.

You must bloom lovely flowers,

For Spring has come at last.

Welcome, sun, gently shine,

Give your warmth to the earth.

Welcome, shower, gently fall,

Giving Spring new birth.

Shrove Tuesday O

In this traditional song his sister poisons poor Jack - accidently one hopes!

Play this as a ‘Thread the needle’ game. Hold hands in one long line, two children at the end make an arch for the line to pass through as in 'The big ship sails through the Ally ally-o'. The line ends up with everyone's hands crossed in front.

Such games were popular at Shrove Tuesday festivals in Wiltshire. Find out more about such customs and how to play it at: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/traditional-games-2/traditional-games-2%20-%200330.htm

Shrove Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday,

When Jack went to plough,

His mother made pancakes,

But she didn't know how.

She tipped them, she tossed them,

She made them so black,

She put in some pepper

And she said, ‘Jack, eat that!’

Jack’s father made pudding,

‘Twas done in an hour,

He hadn’t got eggs

And he hadn’t got flour.

He hadn’t got figs

And he hadn’t got fat.

He dropped it on the table

And he said, ‘Jack, eat that!’

Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday,

Jack’s father went to plough,

His sister made pancakes,

But she didn't know how.

She buttered them, she sugared them,

She burnt them so black,

She made them so awful

That she poisoned poor Jack!

Silver raindrops patter 🔊

Here comes the gentle rain to help Spring on its way.

Arrangement by Dany Rosevear.

In a circle sit back on lower legs. Make fingers fall gently to the ground and then drum fingers softly on the floor. Rub eyes and stretch, then slowly rise following hands pointed upwards– frame face with outstretched hands.

The silver raindrops patter

Upon the earth today,

Tip tap! Their knock is gentle,

And this is what they say:

“Awake now little flowers

And open wide your door,

Put on your rainbow dresses

For Spring is here once more!”

Snowdrop bells 🔊

A song set to the music of Jean de Neuville a 12^th century troubadour. The words are by Anne Mendoza and Joan Rimmer and can be found in ‘Thirty folk song settings for children’ published in 1960.

Snowdrop bells go ring-a-ding.

Winter’s gone and here is Spring.

Primroses sweet in woodlands grow,

Under trees where breezes blow.

Lambs skip and play in meadows green,

Winter’s gone and Spring is Queen.

Someone's making pancakes O

This rhyme was written by Elizabeth Fleming and was set to music by Herbert Wiseman for ‘A third sixty songs for little children’ published 1960. The word ‘girdle’ rather than ‘griddle’ was used in this publication – no idea why?!

Someone's making pancakes,

The griddles on the grate,

The bowl of batter’s beaten up

So I am going to wait

Until the work is over,

And there perhaps will be,

Among the brown and speckled ones’

A yellow one for me!

Sounds of Spring O

A seasonal action song. Music by Dany Rosevear.

1. Move forefingers downwards. 2. Frog, a loose fist jumps up arm. 3. Cross hands and flap wings, thumb and forefinger open and close. 4. Wind left hand up right arm. 5. Cross forefingers and move around. 6. With palms and forearms together move upwards then fan out fingers.

The melting snow says, "Drop, drop, drop."

The little frog goes, "Hop, hop, hop."

The little bird says, "Peep, peep, peep."

The little vine goes, "Creepetty creep."

The little bee says, "Hum, hum, hum."

The little flower says, "Spring has come!"

Spring carol 🔊

This song for Spring is a sister tune to ‘Deck the Halls’ a traditional Welsh carol. It comes from BBC Broadcasts to Schools ‘Time and tune’ Spring 1961.

Let us sing with hearts o’er flowing,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Now the winter's quickly going,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

In the spring we'll show our gladness,

Fa la la la la, la la la.

Cast away all thoughts of sadness,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Echo mountains with our singing,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Steeple bells begin your ringing,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Dance we round, our garlands wearing,

Fa la la la la, la la la.

With our friends our new hopes sharing,

Fa la la la la, la la la la,

Fa la la la la, la la, la, la!

Spring-clean tideo 🔊

The sun is out – the dust is showing! A traditional song with additional verses by Ana Sanderson.

It would be easy to mime many of these movements.

Sun gets brighter, days get long,

Birds begin to sing their song.

We know springtime’s on its way,

Let’s all clean our homes today.

Chorus:

Tideo, tideo, Time for a spring-clean, tideo.

Dust the tables, wipe the doors,

Shake the rugs and sweep the floors.

When we’ve got the cleaning done,

We’ll go out and have some fun.

Buds appear without a sound,

Tadpoles wriggle round and round.

Baby ducklings waddle by,

Fluffy chicks learn how to fly.

Spring cleaning 🔊

My eldest grandson spent some of half term dusting the skirting boards in my house with great enthusiasm, at the end he asked if I could make up a dusting song.

1. Mime dusting everywhere. 2. As before, stretch up high then fall to the floor, make spiders scuttle around. 3. Clean everywhere then window, wiggle fingers.

Dusting, dusting, dusting,

Dusting all day long,

Dusting high and dusting low,

Singing a dusting song.

Up and down and all around,

Dusting in the hall;

Stretching high, the feathers fly,

Watch all the cobwebs fall.

(Hear come the spiders!)

Doors, floors and skirting boards,

Wipe away the grime;

Scrub-a-dub and wash and rub,

Make every window shine.

Spring has come 🔊

How do we know it is Spring? I think this might be from a hymnal but have been unable to find a tune so as usual have made up my own, Dany Rosevear.

Spring has come, I know, I know,

Pussy Willow told me so!

Spring has come, I know, I know,

Robin Redbreast told me so!

Spring has come, I know, I know,

Little flowers told me so!

Spring has come, I know, I know,

Little lambkins told me so!

Spring has now unwrapped its flowers 🔊

Also known as ‘The flower carol’ the longer version is very old and was originally sung in Latin and sung to what is now known as the tune of ‘Good King Wenceslaus’ and ‘Yankee Doodle’ among others’! The little tune here is more familiar as ‘Hungarian round’ or ‘Boots of shining leather’. It can also be sung as a round.

My friend Sara Piazza from Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard Island has made a delightful video of a dance to go with this song that she has tried out with her class of five year olds that you may well enjoy: https://youtu.be/0QyTlqH9tPU .

Spring has now unwrapped its flowers,

Day is fast reviving,

Life in all its growing powers

Towards the light is striving.

All the world with beauty fills,

Gold the green enhancing;

Flowers make glee among the hills,

And set the meadows dancing.

Spring has sprung 🔊

Words and music by Peter Lewis; it was inspired by the first two lines of the Brooklyn song:

Spring has sprung, the grass is ris,

I wonder where the boidies is

The boid is on the wing, But that’s absoid

From what I hoid The wing is on the boid!

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz.

I wonder where the birdies is?

Spring has sprung, the buds do break;

Spring has sprung and nature wakes.

Spring has sprung, the winter’s gone,

And now we sing our happy song:

Fa la la, la la la lay

Sweep those old dead leaves away!

Spring is coming (1) 🔊

A gentle song to celebrate the coming of Spring.

Spring is coming, spring is coming.

Birdies build your nest.

Weave together straw and feather.

Doing each your best.

Spring is coming, spring is coming.

Flowers are waking too.

Pansies, lilies, daffodillies,

All are coming through.

Spring is coming, spring is coming,

All around is fair!

Shimmer, quiver on the river,

Spring is really here,

Joy is everywhere!

Spring is coming (2) 🔊

A song of all the seasons. It is a lovely idea to sing the appropriate verse for the season and encourage children in turn to fill in the blank.

Words unknown music by Milton Kaye.

Spring is coming, spring is coming,

How do you think I know?

I found some (------) pussy willow;

I know it must be so!

Summer’s coming, summer’s coming,

How do you think I know?

A (------) black-eyed Susan winked at me;

I know it must be so!

Autumn’s coming, autumn’s coming,

How do you think I know?

A (------) yellow leaf just fluttered by;

I know it must be so!

Winter’s coming, winter’s coming,

How do you think I know?

I (------) felt a snowflake tickle my nose;

I know it must be so!

Spring is here 🔊

A traditional song I haven’t yet found its source; still looking! Any help appreciated.

Make up your own verses.

“Spring is here!” said the bumblebee,

“How do you know?” said the old oak tree,

“I see yellow daffodils,

Dancing with the fairies on the windy hill.”

“Spring is here!” said the bright blue sky,

“How do you know?” said the butterfly,

“I just saw a new born lamb,

Feeding from its mother near the beaver dam.”

“Spring is here!” said the tiny mouse,

“How do you know?” said the lady in the house,

“The doors are open and the children gone,

Playing with the fairies all day long.”

Spring secret 🔊

A secret to keep.

This song is from the 1950s by May Justus and Vonnie Burleson.

Nobody knows what I know, nobody knows but me!

I hunted around and aroung about to find the secret and found it out.

Nobody knows what I know, nobody knows but me!

It’s high up high in an apple tree and snug and safe as a nest can be.

Nobody knows what we know, the mother bird and me!

Spring song O

A German folk song.

As I sat on the hillside,

I heard the birds sing,

And I watched them a-building,

Their nests in the Spring.

As I walked in the garden,

Bees buzzed away home,

With their sweet load of honey,

To store in the comb.

Spring song / Frogs croak 🔊

A simple Spring poem and hand play.

Set to music by Dany Rosevear.

1. Leap off hand and open thumb and fingers. 2. Fingers wiggle downwards, rub upper arms. 3. Open and close thumb and forefinger. 4. Hand jumps. 5. Hand to ear, cross fingers and flap. 6. Cross hands at wrist and flap. 7. Open and close thumb and forefinger. 8. Throw out hands.

Frogs croak

Rains soak

Chicks peep

Crickets leap

Bees hum

Robins come

Birds sing

Its spring!

Spring’s waking 🔊

Here comes the snowdrop.

Love it when this time of year comes and the seasons’s flowers lift their heads.

Music by Dany Rosevear.

A snowdrop lay in the sweet, dark ground.

"Come out," said the Sun, "come out!"

But she lay quite still and she heard no sound.

"Asleep," said the Sun, "no doubt!"

The snowdrop heard, for she raised her head.

"Look spry," said the Sun, "look spry!"

"It's warm," said the snowdrop, "here in bed."

"O fie!" said the sun, "O fie!"

"You call me too soon, Mister Sun, you do."

"No, no," said the Sun, "oh, no!"

"There's something above and I can't see through."

"It 's snow," said the Sun, "just snow."

"But I say, Mister Sun, are the robins here?"

"May be," said the Sun, "may be."

"There wasn't a bird when you called last year."

"Come out," said the Sun, "and see."

The snowdrop sighed, for she liked her nap,

And there wasn't a bird in sight;

But she popped out of bed in her white nightcap.

"That's right," said the Sun, "that's right!"

And soon as that small nightcap was seen

A robin began to sing

The air grew warm and the grass turned green.

" 'Tis spring," laughed the Sun, " 'tis spring!"

Sweet bird in the maple tree 🔊

The sounds of Spring.

Written by Kate Forman and set to a traditional German folk tune used by Brahms, published 1935.

There's a sweet bird in the maple tree,

Singing a wonderful thing;

Clear are the words of his melody:

“See I have brought you the Spring!”

Blue is the bird in the maple tree,

Glossy and fine is his wing;

Roguish his eye as he sings to me:

“See I have brought you the Spring!”

Milk-white the blooms of the cherry tree,

Hawthorn buds rosily swing;

Buzzing and brisk is the honey-bee.

“See I have brought you the Spring!”

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