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.

French Folk Song (Cello Bk 1)

Once there was a crocodile
Who snapped at all he saw
Snapped at all he saw
‘Til he snapped a rock and got a tooth-ache in his jaw-aw-aw
‘Til he snapped a rock and got a tooth-ache in his jaw

Song of the Wind

Once there was a crocodile
Who snapped at all he saw
Snapped at all he saw
‘Til he snapped a rock and got a tooth-ache in his jaw-aw-aw
‘Til he snapped a rock and got a tooth-ache in his jaw

Lightly Row

Lightly row, lightly row
Up the river we will go
Mississippi, Mississipi
That's the place to go, go, go

On our cellos we will play
Eating hotdogs all the way

Mississippi, Mississipi

That's the place to go, go, go

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

Up dow goes my bow til it comes to a stop

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

Long, Long Ago on a bright sunny day, I saw a frog, on top a log.
Long, Long Ago on a bright sunny day, I saw a frog on a log.
He jumped so high that I thought he could fly (x2)
Long, Long Ago on a bright sunny day, I saw a frog on a log.

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.

Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing
Red and yellow purple and white
Oh my what a beautiful sight
Spring is here, the birds are here
Listen to them singing.

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.

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.

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…