Suzuki Book 1 Lyrics

These lyrics are a compilation of original song lyrics, alternate versions, or simply silly versions put together from various sources. The main purpose of attaching words to these pieces is so that children, or parents, can sing along to the music in order to more effectively establish the tune in the child’s mind. This, in turn, enhances the ability to learn to play the tune on the child’s instrument. And remember, singing is practice too!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Everyone knows Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. But have you heard the original French words to the folk song that inspired Mozart to compose his version?

Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman,
Ce qui cause mon tournment?
Papa veut que je raisonne,
Comme une grande personne;
Moi, je dis que les bonbons
Valent mieux que la raison.

Translation:

Ah! Can I tell you, Mother,
What’s the cause of my torment?
Papa wants me to reason
Like a grown-up.
Me, I say that candy has
Greater value than reason.

Lightly Row

Lightly row, lightly row
Down the river we will go
Always rowing, never slowing
In my bright new red canoe

See the fishes swimming by
See the birds up in the sky

Always rowing, never slowing
In my bright new red canoe.

Song of the Wind

(1) (Adapted from Christina Rossetti)

Who has seen the wind go wand’ring?
Neither I nor you;
Neither I nor you.
When the leaves hang trembling, the wind is passing through and through,
When the leaves hang trembling, the wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind go whisp’ring?
Neither you nor I;
Neither you nor I.
When the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by and by,
When the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by.

or (2)

Up the river we will go a-sailing in the wind, sailing in the wind,
Wind is blowing, water is flowing, boats are rowing through the foam,
Wind is blowing, water’s flowing, boats are rowing home.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Go tell Aunt Rhody, John is very sick,

Please tell the doctor, John is sick in bed.

He had some popcorn, then some candy-floss,

then peanut-butter on his bread.

Go tell Aunt Rhody, John is very sick,

Please tell the doctor, John is sick in bed.

May Song

O Come Little Children

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
If windmills had windows we’d all peer inside.
If ponies could speak and if blind men could see,
If dreams could come true then how happy we’d be.

Long, Long Ago

Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
Long, long ago, long, long ago,
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear,
Long, long ago, long ago,
Now you are come all my grief is removed,
Let me forget that so long you have roved.
Let me believe that you love as you loved,
Long, long ago, long ago.

Do you remember the paths where we met?
Long, long ago, long, long ago.
Ah, yes, you told me you’d never forget,
Long, long ago, long ago.
Then to all others, my smile you preferred,
Love, when you spoke, gave a charm to each word.
Still my heart treasures the phrases I heard,
Long, long ago, long ago.

Tho’ by your kindness my fond hopes were raised,
Long, long ago, long, long ago.
You by more eloquent lips have been praised,
Long, long ago, long, long ago,
But, by long absence your truth has been tried,
Still to your accents I listen with pride,
Blessed as I was when I sat by your side.
Long, long ago, long ago.

Allegretto

In a place far away
On a hot summer’s day
The three bears’ cabin stood
On the edge of a wood.
In that place far away
On that hot summer’s day
The three bears went away
For a walk.

First the big papa bear
Then the kind mama bear
Far away with his chair
Came the small baby bear…
In that place far away
On that hot summer’s day
The three bears went away
For a walk.

Birds are singing, winter is gone;
fish are in the river.
Up above the clouds sail right by,
like big banks of snow in the sky,
Birds are singing, winter is gone;
fish are in the river.

The version Nancy used in group class, Fall 2006:

Pepperoni, mushrooms and cheese,
Pepperoni pizza!
Onions, olives, green peppers too,
Onions, olives, green peppers too,
Pepperoni, mushrooms and cheese,
Pepperoni pizza!

Allegro

Toot toot toot, the train is in the station
Ding ding ding, put down the crossing gate
Wave wave wave, the engineer is waving
Down the track the train is moving straight

Round and round the wheels are turning
Slower, slower, till they stop…

Toot toot toot, the train is in the station
Ding ding ding, put up the crossing gate.

Perpetual Motion

Have you seen an alligator riding on an escalator?
I have seen an alligator riding on an elevator.

Have you seen a ballerina playing on her concertina?
I have seen a ballerina on her way to passadina.

Have you seen an armadillo sleeping on a big fat pillow?
Have you seen an armadillo sleeping on a big fat pillow?

Have you seen an alligator riding on an escalator?
I have seen an alligator riding on an elevator.

Andantino

Wash your face, brush your teeth, go to bed now

I don’t want to go to bed now

I’m not feeling very sleepy…

Wash your face, brush your teeth, go to bed now

Wash your face, brush your teeth (cha cha cha)

Go to bed now!

Etude

Henrietta Popoletta

Had a special friend to play called

Wilhelmina Windowcleaner

She had brought along her football,

Henrietta Popoletta

Picked it up and threw it back to

Wilhelmina Windowcleaner

And it CRASHED right through the window.

Mother came right down the stairs and called to Father,

Father came right down the stairs and quickly picked up

Henrietta Popoletta,

Picked her up and scolded her

And sent her off to bed.