Stories from Susan

INTRODUCTION

under construction

I am Susan... and I am a composer/lyricist. I wrote many songs, some for children, others for adults.  I put together an historical musical dedicated to Harriet Tubman,
(  harriettubman-undergroundrailroad.blogspot.com   ) which is for people of all ages.

I am unable to play piano well enough to record. I was lucky  to meet a 
musical genius, Bernie Katzman, who performed my music.  In addition to singing
the songs and playing an instrumental for each of them, he composed magnificent improvisations based on the melodies.

This blog has some of my songs for children. I am developing this blog for my two grandchildren who I love with every fiber in my being. They are two stars in my sky that shine the brightest.

I am putting the songs into categories.  Please click on the category and the
song choices will appear...some with pictures.

I want to thank you for visiting my blog.

Categories: (Please click on links below)

1.  ZOO ANIMALS

2.  FARM ANIMALS

3. HOLIDAY SONGS-JEWISH HOLIDAYS

4. HOLIDAY SONGS- THANKSGIVING


5.SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL EDUCATION 

6.LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET AND LANGUAGE 
STRUCTURE

7.SONGS ABOUT WEATHER AND THE SEASONS

8.  YOUNG CHILDREN

9.SILLY SONGS



NUMBERS AND COUNTING

LEARNING AND LAUGHING




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Welcome to our town

 

SONGS ABOUT ZOO ANIMALS

(to hear the music, please click on the red circle with the white arrow. thank you.)

(NOTE:  It may take a few seconds for the songs to load.  Thank you for your patience.)

WE'RE GOING TO THE ZOO 

song

   

instrumental

 

LYRICS

My class is going on a trip, we're going to the zoo.My class will go today, we'll all shout hip, hip, hooray,

It's such fun in every way, we're going to the zoo.

We'll see a lot of animals while walking through the zoo.

Some lions, tigers who are roaring at me and you,

Some peacocks all green and blue,

They're animals in the zoo.

We'll see a sleepy leopard and some swimming hippos too,

Some monkeys small, giraffes so tall,

A jumping kangaroo.

We'll see some giant elephants and pretty zebras too,

Their all on view today, it's such fun in every way,

And that's why I'm glad to say,

That my class is lucky, 'cause we're going ,

To the city zoo. 

* * *

MR. LION

Instrumental


lyrics

When lions get real hungry,
That's when they like to prowl.
They walk around their cages,
And make a scary growl.

They're waiting for their dinner,
These lions in the zoo.
The lion keeper brings them food,
Some tasty things to chew..

Oh lion, Mr. Lion,
You are really fun to see,
But Lion, Mr. Lion,
Please stay far away from me.

When lions finish eating
They sometimes go to sleep,
For when they fill their bellies,
They hardly make a peep.

These lions in their cages,
Or underneath a tree,
Do not look very frightening,
When they're resting peacefully,

Oh Lion, Mr. Lion though you're
so much fun to see,
Oh Lion, Mr. Lion please stay
far away from me. 

  

* * * 

LITTLE MONKEY

(adapted from a picture designed by Margaret and H.A. Rey)

insrumental 

    

I see a little monkey, looking very happy
As she sits on a branch of a leafy old tree.
I can see as she sits she's making silly face..
I wonder if she's making silly faces at me.

Hey little Monkey, Hey little Monkey,
Oh how I want to play games with you.
But I know little Monkey that
it couldn't ever happen,
It's never allowed in a zoo.

And now I see she's swinging
Oh so very quickly,
From a branch to a branch on a leafy old tree.
How funny is the monkey
Up and down and all around,
I wonder if she's trying to hide from me.

Hey little Monkey, Hey little Monkey,
Oh how I want to play games with you.
But I know Mrs. Monkey that
it couldn't ever happen,
It's never allowed in any zoo.

   

improvisation#1 The Monkey Rag, by Bernie Katzman



Improvisation #2  The Classical Monkey

* * * 

MR. GROWLING TIGER

   

instrumental

     

lyrics

I hear an animal growling,
I look and who do I see,
A tiger with his long black stripes,
He's growling straight at me, oh yes,
He's growling straight at me.

 I know Mr. Growling Tiger,You're a strong cat in the zoo,
if I were to meet you face to face,
'd sure be scared of you, I would,
I'd sure be scared of you.

Oh grrr, grrr growling tiger,
Making so much noise,
I bet you're trying very hard
To scare the girls and boys.

I know Mr. Growling Tiger,
You're a strong cat in the zoo.
But since I'm not in your great big cage,
I'm not afraid of you, no way,
I'm not afraid of you.

So go on with your growling,
Keep up your noisy fuss,
It's not a scary bother,
It's really fine with us.

Oh grrr, grrr growling tiger,
Making all that noise.
It doesn't scare me, not at all,
Or any other girls or boys.

improvisation by Bernie Katzman

  

* * * 

SPOTTY MRS. LEOPARD

  
instrumental

 

lyrics

Spotty Mrs. Leopard,
I can see you sleeping,
Sleeping very soundly in a big old tree.
Spotty Mrs. Leopard, I'm so glad you're sleeping.
When you're fast asleep, you do not see me.

Spotty Mrs. Leopard,
Napping quietly.
You seem so very peaceful 
On the branches of the tree.

So when I'm in the zoo, I know just where you'll be.
I love  to come and visit when....
You're sleeping and you don't see me.

* * *

 MRS. HIPPO 

  

Instrumental

   

 

lyrics

Mrs. Hippo, Mrs. Hippo, 
I am in the zoo today.
I have come here, Mrs. Hippo,
At this lovely time in May.

I can see you, Mrs. Hippo,
 In the water where you love to play.
With the many other hippos, 
It's a place you like to stay.

I can hear you grunting loudly,
In a very sloppy way.
Mrs. Hippo, it's exciting,
That I'm in the zoo today.

Improvisation by Bernie Katzman in classical style

 

Improvisation by Bernie Katzman in rag style

* * *

Mr. Giraffe

 instrumental

 

lyrics

You live in the zoo, you are fun to see,
You're Mr. Giraffe, you are tall as could be. 
You love standing quietly in the the breeze.
You're Mr. Giraffe, living happily.

Oh Mr. Giraffe, it's very true,
You're a gentle giant in the zoo. 
I like to think of the things you do.
And other children like that too.

You live in the zoo, you are fun to see,
You are Mr. Giraffe, just as tall as could be. 
You have four long legs and wobbly knees,
You are Mr. Giraffe, living happily.

With your head in the trees, reaching leaves with ease,
You're Mr. Giraffe and so great to see. 

* * *

Mr. Zebra

song
 

instrumental

   
lyrics

He looks like a horse, he's not of course,
With stripes white and black on his face and his back.
He seems very tame, but all the same,
He's a wild animal in the zoo.
    
Oh Zebra, Mr. Zebra, it's so great to look at you.
Oh Zebra,  it's terrific that they keep you in the zoo.

He runs very fast, at times stands still,
He eats lots of grass, his tummy he'll fill.
The zebra is great, oh don't you agree,
The zebras are animals fun to see.

Oh Zebra, Mr. Zebra it's so great to look at you.
Oh Zebra it's so thrilling that you're in the zoo.

Oh Zebra, Mr. Zebra how I love to visit you.
It's great that there's a place for you in the zoo.

* * *

Mr. Big Elephant

Instrumental

   
lyrics

The elephant eats with his very long nose.
He carries his snout, every place that he goes.
This nose is his trunk, he can lift it up high.
And point to the clouds that appear in the sky.

When I'm in the zoo,
He's the first thing I see.
I love when he's grabbing the leaves off the tree.
Oh gosh, Mr. Big, I'm so happy to say...
It's such fun to see you on a bright sunny day.

The elephant has , such large floppy ears.
There must be a lot that this animal hears.
If I shout hello, I will probably find,
That dear Mr. Big, surely won't mind.

When I'm in the zoo, he's the best thing to see.
Wherever he's kept , it's a grand place to be.
Oh gosh, Mr. Big, I'm delighted to say.
It's such fun to see you on a bright sunny day.

SHEEP

lyrics

Some friends went to a farm and  they saw 

 A lot of wooly sheep,

The sheep had fleece as white as snow.

That’s the kind of sheep they keep,

And several times  a year, you see as the friends were clearly told

The fleece is sheared right off the sheep and then the fleece is sold.

The friends heard sounds like baa baa baa,

That’s what the sheep always say.

They make these sounds in the the morning,

And they baa  throughout the day.

The sheep like grazing in the pasture
And all they do is eat.

They eat  delicious  grass....   and for them it’s such   treat.

They come back later to the barn, they’re sleeping through the night.

And they  wake up every morning with the early sunrise light.

And when the farmer late at night, has trouble falling  asleep.

In his head, I bet  that he’s counting, counting wooly sheep.

HOLIDAY SONGS

FOR THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS

Chanukah

1.NUN, GIMMEL, SHIN, HEI

Song




Instrumental

 
(PRINTED LYRICS COMING SOON)

2.At Chanukah Time

Song




Instrumental



 Lyrics

Latkes are yum, I want to eat some,
At Chanukah time, at Chanukah time;
Oh, Latkes are yum, I want to eat some,
When Chanukah time has finally come.

And dreidels are fun, I'll love spinning one,
At Chanukah time, yes at Chanukah time.
And dreidels are fun, I'll keep spinning one,
'Till Chanukah time is finally done.

Oh Chanukah comes at Kislev each year,
A good time to laugh, a good time to cheer,
With the candles to light, a new one each night,
In the Chanukeah what a beautiful sight.
With candles to light, a new one each night....
We think of the miracles making things right.

In Yiddish:

http://suziejean.com/music/music.chan.time.yiddish.html

HOLIDAY SONGS

THANKSGIVING

I'm Thankful

Song


 Instrumental

Lyrics

Oh T is for the turkey that we eat Thanksgiving day.

And T is for terrific it tastes good in every way.

Oh T is for my tummy that loves sweet potatoes too.

And T is for the table where there’s food the whole year through.

Oh I’m thankful, I am thankful for the good things that I’ve got.

I’m thankful, yes I'm thankful I am blessed to have  a lot.

Well T is for the time we spend a loving family.

And T is for together, talking very happily.

Oh, T is for tomorrows we’ll share many moments more,

I’m thankful for so many joys that there is still in store.

That’s why I’m thankful, I’m thankful for all the things I’ve got.

I’m thankful , I'm thankful, I’m blessed to have a lot ...

I'm thankful, yes I'm thankful, I am  thankful, I am thankful, 

I am very, very thankful,

I am blessed to have a lot.


2. I Love Thanksgiving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htScvu91GY8&t=4s

FARM ANIMALS & INSECTS

FARM ANIMALS

When Animal Sounds Float Into My Ear

Instrumental

 

 Lyrics

A cow always makes a mooing sound.
That's all that she says, Moo, moo, moo.
She makes this moo,that is what she'll do..
I 'll make the cow's mooing sound too.

A horse, of course makes a neighing sound.
That's what he says, neigh neigh neigh.
The horse makes a neigh, it's a horse's way.
Is that a sound that I can say?

Each animal has a different sound. 
To let you know that it's around.
It's great to listen and make those sounds too.
It is what I like to do.

A duck says quack, a turkey says gobble.
A goose honks  as she wobbles her wobble.
Sheep say baa, that's what I'll hear.
When the sound of a sheep floats into my ear.

That's what I will hear, that's what I will hear..
When animal sounds float into my ear.


IMPROVISATION

***

THE COW

Instrumental

 
lyrics


I am a cow, I am mostly black.
With a big white patch, on my back.
I live on a farm with important work to do.
I give nourishing milk to all of you.

I am a cow,  I like to say moo.
And other cows, like saying moo too.
You know where we are,  just listen to our sound.
And then you will know, we're somewhere around.

Moo, moo, I'm a cow.
I'm grazing in  the pasture, I'm doing that now.
Later I'll sleep in the barn all night.
Then the farmer will milk me by morning's light.

Cows like me are black and white.
While others are brown, dark or light.
It doesn't matter the color you see,
Our milk is the same, as healthy as could be.

If you come to the farm, please look for me.
I'll greet you with a MOO...cheerfully.


Improvisation- by Bernie 

***

THE PIG

Instrumental

Lyrics

I went to  a farm and saw a pig,
Who went into a mud pile and started to dig.
Digging and digging he seemed to have fun.
He was covered with mud, by the time he was done.


What a mess,  oh, what a mess
Yes, that's what pigs look like each day, I guess.
The pig started grunting, grunting a lot.
With manners....he forgot.

There were more messy pigs
In the pen that day.
Well pigs will be pigs, so it's okay.
When they make grunting noises 
Are sloppy too.
That's when watching pigs,is fun to do.

If you visit a farm, you will likely laugh when,
You look at some pigs, they're a mess in a pen.

Improvisation


  

***

CHICKENS,
 Including Hens and Roosters

Instrumental

Lyrics

Out in the Hen House hens are laying lots of eggs.
Some are for hatching and some to eat.
The hens on a farm, are really helpful animals.
They do what they do and each day repeat.

Hens laying eggs, oh, 
Hens laying eggs, Oh,
What a useful job it is the farm hens do.
When I visit the farm,I'll see the hens, 
And if you're at the farm you'll see them too.


And out in the chicken coop 
Are squawking baby yellow chicks.
Oh how cute these little chicks can be.
They will grow up fast and they 
Won't be little anymore.
 I love to watch them, they're fun to see.

Cackle, cackle peep, peep
Very noisy critters,
Doing what they do,
What they always have done.
On a farm there are little chicks,
Always running round and round,
Watching little chicks is loads of fun.

And , out on the farm fence 
A rooster in the morning..
Is crowing his morning call 
As loud as could be
He wakes up the farmer 
And all the farmers family.
A great alarm-clock, 
I'm sure you 'd agree.

Roosters, hens and little chicks,
Living in the barn-yard.
They play their role,
They have work to do.
I look forward to seeing them,
On a visit to the farm.
If you're at the farm, 
Then you'll see them too.

SHEEP

INSECTS

Busy Bumble Bee

Lyrics

Bzzzzzz.....
Oh busy, busy bumble bee
Buzzing all around the tree
You like to buzz near trees, I see,
But better not, buzz by me.

Bzzzzzz.....

Bumble bee, yellow and black

Bzzzzzz.....

If you buzz by me
I'll give you a whack.

Whack, whack, a great big whack,
A buzzing whack on your yellow striped back



Improvisation by Bernie Katzman--on youtube


click:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B13uUtG6Sqo&t=25s