I have downloaded many kids songs and usually play them in the car when we are on the road with my daughter.
And I managed to learn some of the lyrics as it's really annoying when listening to the songs without knowing what they are singing.
One of the interesting facts I noticed was that kids education in western countries, or at least in English speaking countries, is much different from eastern culture.
Ok, here is one you will never see in Chinese kids songs:
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Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two.
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This is obviously a marriage proposal from a boy to his loving girl. I'm not quite sure what this means to our little ones, but how would you imagine this happen in our childhood?
What I love this song is that the boy was quite plain telling the truth: I'm not a rich one but I do enjoy your sweetness and would be happy to share my life with you.
I love to go a-wandering
Along the mountain track;
I love to go a-wandering
My knapsack on my back.
Valderi, Valdera, Valderi
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Valderi, Valdera
My knapsack on my back!
I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun;
So joyously it calls to me:
"Come join my happy song"!
Valderi, Valdera, Valderi
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Valderi, Valdera
My knapsack on my back!
I wave my hat to all I meet
And they wave back to me;
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet
From every woody tree.
Valderi, Valdera, Valderi
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Valderi, Valdera
My knapsack on my back!
Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die.
Oh, may I always laugh and sing
Beneath the clear blue sky!
Valderi, Valdera, Valderi
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Valderi, Valdera
My knapsack on my back!
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The song asks a question: May I go a wandering until the day I die? May I always laugh and sing beneath the clear blue sky?
But it doesn't provide any answer, which is up to the kids to figure out their own.
So would you discuss love topics with your little ones?
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Oh I went down South for to see my Sal
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
My Sally is a spunky gal
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Oh my Sal she is a maiden fair
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
With laughing eyes and curly hair
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fey
For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Oh a grasshopper sittin' on a
railroad track
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
A picking his teeth with a carpet tack
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Oh I went to bed but it wasn't no use
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
My feet stretched out for a chicken roast
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fey
For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
He sneezed so hard with the
Whoopin' cough
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
He sneezed his head an' his tail
Right off
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fey
For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna
Play polly wolly doodle all the day
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