Winter
songs
Peter,
Peter Penguin
Ptichka,
little bird
Sing
a song of winter
Sleigh
ride
Snow
stars
Snowdrops,
snowdrops
Snowflakes
swirling
Snowman
Song
of the dragon
Sounds
of Winter
Suzy
Snowflake
The
little pine tree
The
Snowkey Pokey
The
sky bears had a pillow fight
There
was a little garden
Tiny
little snowflakes
Tiptoe
in the snow
To a
snowflake
Also see:
Five little men made out
of snow
And the YouTube playlist: Winter
songs and poems
Last updated: 12/5/2022
8:00 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 🔊
To watch the
author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
You
are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
following conditions:
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you must give the original author credit
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you may not use this work for commercial purposes
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for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the
licence terms of this work
·
any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright
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Your fair use and other
rights are no way affected by the above. |
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Peter,
Peter Penguin O
A movement song for winter. |
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Peter, Peter Penguin, marching by, march in place Toes turned out and head held high; waddle with feet at ten to
two, lift chin with finger A long black coat stroke downwards And a clean white vest, thumbs to chest and sway Peter, Peter Penguin, you're the best! waddle then put up thumb |
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Ptichka,
little bird 🔊
A simple, charming Russian
children’s song for the winter months, The cold weather has come and the birds
must find food to keep themselves going until the Spring. A little help from
us will make a big difference to their chances of survival. ‘Ptichka’ is the Russian diminutive
for ‘little bird’. This song can be found in ‘Winter
songbook’ by Sally Schweizer, where you can also find the Russian words. Translated freely from the Russian
by Dany Rosevear. Cross hands at the wrist and
flap them. Hold out cupped left hand.
Hold out cupped right hand. Beckon thenopen and close thumb and
forefinger beak as bird feeds, |
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Here’s some water
for you. I have
breadcrumbs in my hand, Come and let me
feed you. |
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Over the river and through the
woods O
This song
is based on the poem written in 1844 by Lydia Maria Child who was a women and American Indian rights activist, reformer, writer
and speaker. It was originally sung at Thanksgiving but is popular throughout
the Christmas season. There are other verses and the
original goes to ‘grandfather’s’ house. |
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Over the river, and through the wood, To Grandmother's house we go; The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, Through the white and drifted snow, oh! Over the river, and through the wood, Oh, how the wind does blow! It stings the toes and bites the nose, As over the ground we go. Over the river, and through the wood, With a clear blue winter sky, The dogs do bark, and children hark, As we go jingling by. Over the river, and through the wood, Trot fast, my dapple-gray! Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound! For 'tis Thanksgiving Day. Over the river, and through the wood, Now Grandmother's cap I spy! Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! |
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Sing a
song of winter 🔊
Never mind the weather, wrap up
warmly and get outside. |
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Sing a song of winter, Fog and wind and rain, Ice and frost and snowflakes, Falling down again; Never mind the shivers, Jump and run and slide, Hats and coats and gloves and scarves, Will keep us warm outside! |
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I have used this song from BBC
radio’s Music Box in the past to accompany a Russian dance in a wintry
Nativity play. Make jingly sounds with percussion
instruments or find metallic bits and bobs to make tinkly sounds such as
bottle tops and coins in a container to accompany the song. |
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Galloping across the plains Racing in the moonlight, Hoof beats sounding o’er the snow And all the sleigh bells ringing. Hoof beats sounding o’er the snow Just listen to the bells – Hey! |
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Snowdrops,
snowdrops O
A lovely rhyme for the first
flowers of the year. Music by Dany Rosevear; as I was
not able to find the tune I have put it to music myself. |
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Snowdrops, snowdrops, little drops of snow, What will you do when the cold winds blow? We’ll hide our little heads and say “Cold wind, cold wind, go away!” Snowdrops, snowdrops, dressed in green and white, What will you do when the sun shines bright? We ring our little bells and sing: “Tingaling, tingaling, here comes spring.” |
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Snowflakes swirling all around 🔊
Each snowflake
is unique and together make a winter wonderland. We wait so long for that
snowy day in winter, there is so much fun to be had. You could add your own
verses about snowballs, snow angels etc. Words written
and set to music by Dany Rosevear. Mime actions |
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Snowflakes swirling all around, All around, all around, Snowflakes swirling all around, They fall without a sound. Catch a snowflake in your hand, In your hand, in your hand, Catch a snowflake in your hand, In a winter wonderland. Build a snowman big and fat, Big and fat, big and fat, Build a snowman big and fat, With a carrot nose and black
hat. Watch it slowly melt away, Melt away, melt away, Watch it slowly melt away, When the sun comes out to play. |
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Snowman 🔊
A very simple
winter hand play. |
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Once I was a snowball, Then I grew and grew, Now I am a snowman, “How do you do?” |
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Snow stars 🔊
A very simple
winter hand play. Possibly by
Frances Frost but I have lost the source. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Open and close fingers. 2. Move shaking hands downwards. 3. Count
fingers. 4. Splay fingers to make trees, spread hands outwards, spread arms
out. |
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The air is full of flying stars The sky is shaking down; A million silver stars of snow On wood and field and town. |
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Song of
the dragon 🔊
A song for the Chinese New Year. Arranged by Dany Rosevear. Make a large dragon made out of sheets with a box head. Children dance
under this in a wiggly line singing this song to the sound of cymbals and
drums. |
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See the dragon come on a hundred legs! He brings us all good cheer; Him we do not fear! Long life and peace and joy In the bright new year! |
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Suzy Snowflake 🔊
A nostalgic
song of cheer for a snowy day. ‘Suzy
Snowflake’ is a song written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett, made famous by
Rosemary Clooney in 1951 and released as a 78 RPM record by Columbia Records,
MJV-123. This song
reminds me of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and ‘We are the Ovaltinees’ both written
at a similar time but somehow I don’t remember hearing this one in the UK as
a child. |
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Here comes Suzy Snowflake Dressed in a snow-white gown, Tap, tap, tappin' on your window
pane To tell you she's in town. Here comes Suzy Snowflake Soon you will hear her say, “Come out ev'ryone and play with
me; I haven't long to stay.” If you want to make a snowman, I'll help you make one, one,
two, three, If you want to take a sleigh
ride, Whee! The ride's on me! Here comes Suzy Snowflake Look at her tumblin' down, Bringing joy to ev'ry girl and
boy, Suzy's come to town. Suzy's come to town. (Whistle) Sing 1st 2 verses If you want to make a snowman I'll help you make one, one,
two, three If you want to take a sleigh
ride Whee! The ride's on me Here comes Suzy Snowflake Look at her tumblin' down Bringing joy to ev'ry girl and
boy, Suzy's come to town, Suzy's come to town. |
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Sounds
of Winter 🔊
Loud, soft and quiet sounds. Change is once again in the air. A second seasonal song about sound. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. This could easily be
accompanied by percussion instruments. |
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Winter sang its songs for me, it sang its songs for you, The cold wind whistled loud and shrill, “Whoo-ooo-ooo!” The snow came whirling, swirling down, “Hist, hist, hist!” It piled up softly on the ground, “Drift, drift, drift!” Children snuggled in their beds and gently snored. As windows rattled and the wind knocked at the door. Outside there came a-tinkling of merry windblown chimes, Then through oaken woods it howled while whisp’ring through the pines. Booted footsteps in the snow crunched and squeaked, And puddles with their icy crust cracked and creaked. Hungry robin came to feed, “Tweet, tweet, tweet!” Then blackbird, bluetit, finch flew in “Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!” Chickadee made scolding calls and puffed its little wings, “We thank you for our winter feast!” just hear them sing. The children came, played snowball games, in whumpfy rounds, Shaped angel twins with feathered wings on the ground. Winter sang a song for us, it sang with frosty glee, The children whirled and twirled and laughed, joyfully! But silence is cold winter’s treat on a snowy moonlit night, Just listen: SHHH! there is no sound and all is quiet. |
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The little pine tree 🔊
Round about
the seasons with this dear hand play. Look after our
lovely trees, year-round they are habitats for all sorts of wonderful
creatures. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Cup hands and rock gently. 2. Peck with thumb and
forefinger, hands to cheek. 3. Rub arms, cross hands across breast. 4. Fingers
fall downwards with a a wiggling motion. 5. Cross hands at wrist and flap
hands, make a fingertip tree above head. |
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In summertime my branches were A place for birds to nest; In autumn my branches were Their place for food and rest. And now that wintertime is here I hope - I hope to be All glistening bright with
snowflakes white - The birds' Christmas Tree! |
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The sky
bears had a pillow fight O
A song to sing in wonder and
amazement as light dawns; save especially for the first snowfall of the year.
Second verse by Dany Rosevear; make up your own verses to include other snowy
day activities. |
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Oh, it snowed last night, It snowed last night, The sky bears had a pillow fight, They tore up every cloud in sight, And tossed down all the feathers white. Oh, it snowed last night, It snowed last night, Yes, it snowed last night! Oh, it snowed last night, It snowed last night, We woke to see the garden white, And ran outside in such delight, Quite ready for a snowball fight. Oh, it snowed last night, It snowed last night, Yes, it snowed last night! |
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The Snowkey Pokey 🔊
A winter
warmer action song; get moving and keep those chills away. Identify left
and right. Works well
with a winter clothing theme, jst add more items. 1.& 2. Put gloved hand forward then back. 3.
Shake hand vigorously. 4. With one hand on top of the other seesaw elbows and
turn around shivering and clutching arms. 5. Put hand to mouth and shout
“Brrrr!” Throw out hands. Verse 2.- 4. as before. Verse 5, Jump forward and
back then as before. |
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You put your right mitten in,
you take your right mitten out, You put your right mitten in and
you shake it all about; You do the Snowkey Pokey and you
shiver and you shout: BRRRR! That’s what it’s all
about – SNOW! You put your left mitten in… You put your right boot in… You put your left boot in… You put your whole self in… |
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There was a little garden 🔊
A dear,
enchanting winter poem. I found these
lovely verses in ‘Winter Songbook’ by Sally Schweizer, its source was not
clear but I was unable to find it elsewhere. Winter
Songbook: Seasonal Verses, Poems and Songs for Children, Parents and ... -
Sally Schweizer - Google Books Music by Dany
Rosevear. Verse 1. Spread hands outward. Cup hands. 2. Hold up
hand branches. 4. Open and close thumb and forefinger beak. 3. Rub upper
arms. Hold lamb outwards in hands. 4. Circle head with thumbs and forefingers. Open and
close thumb and forefinger beak. Rock arms gently. |
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There was a little garden Lay deep beneath the snow, But Mary came a-walking And found the Christmas rose. There was a little thorny bush Whose branches were all bare, But Mary came a-walking And found the robin there. The sheep were on the hillside All frozen on the ground, But Mary came a-walking And found the new-born lamb. She wears the rose upon her head The robin in her hand, And in her arms so gentle, She bears the new-born lamb. |
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Tiny
little snowflakes 🔊
Words and music by Mrs.
Ida M. Budd published 1897. I have only sung the first three
verses as the last one sounds a bit too Victorian for today’s children who,
thankfully, are allowed to enjoy play in their early years. |
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Tiny little snow-flakes, Sailing thro’ the air, Where can you be going? Will you tell me where? From your cloudland harbour, Downward drifting slow, Like a fleet of fairy sails, On and on you go. Chorus Merry little snowflakes How you dance and play, Just like happy children On a holiday. Rushing fast and faster, Skipping here and there; Have you any work to do In the wint’ry air? Busy little snowflakes, Now your work I’ve found, Weaving soft white carpets For the cold, hard ground; Folding all the wheat fields In your blankets deep, Keeping them all safe and warm, For their winter sleep. Happy little snow-flakes, Turning work to play, I have learned a lesson, Watching you today; If I do my duty Faithfully and true, Work will seem like play, and I Shall be glad as you. |
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Tiptoe
in the snow 🔊
A very quiet action game. Tiptoeing is a quiet activity but
in the snow it is quieter still where you can be you can be ‘As quiet as a
mouse’ This could well work as a winter
transition activity moving from a livelier to a quieter activity. I found this rhyme in ‘Over and
over again’ by Barbara Ireson and Christopher Rowe, published in 1978. The words are adapted and set to a tune by
Dany Rosevear who also wrote the third verse. 1. Tiptoe in pairs and
‘twitch’ noses. 2. Tiptoe more slowly with finger to lips. 3. Creep with
knees bent and quietly sit. |
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Tiptoe, tiptoe, Out into the snow; Through the house Like a mouse; Watch me twitch my little nose. x2 Tiptoe, tiptoe, In the soft white snow; Not a sound All around Not a soul can hear me go! x2 Tiptoe, tiptoe, Creep back in the house Through the door, On the floor, Sitting quiet as a mouse. x2 |
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To a snowflake 🔊
From the
German by Emile Poulsson; from the book ‘Songs of a little child’s day’
published 1910. Music by Dany
Rosevear as the original tune was a little tricky! |
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Oh, little frosty snowflake, So lightly floating by, A long, long way you travel In coming from the sky. Come rest upon our window; How could you float so far? We children love to see you, You pretty filmy star! |
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