A COLLECTION OF CUTE TAMIL RHYMES
This is my attempt to learn Tamil from my 4 year old daughter and to go a step closer towards learning my mother tongue. Being born and brought up in Bombay and not being exposed to Tamil except for speaking Tamil at home put me at a relative disadvantage when I moved to Singapore and realized that people here are so passionate about the Tamil language, since its one of the national languages of Singapore, its taught at a very low cost to children to promote and make children love their national language.(The Government encourages and supports teaching and promoting the national languages of the country), so I sent my daughter to a Tamil class which happens to be just below my block and now Iam trying to learn Tamil from her and I am quite fascinated by the language and especially love the rhymes. This collection is an ode to my daughter, who absolutely loves these rhymes. Since I don’t know to read and write Tamil, the rhymes are written in English for people of all languages to enjoy.
A
ADHO PAAR PATTAM
Adho paar pattam
Pada pada pattam
Kannai kavarum pattam
Katril medakum pattam
Meaning
See there is a kite
Flapping in the winds is a kite
See how eye-catching is the kite
Floating in the wind is the kite
ANIL (SQUIRREL)
Aniley Aniley odi vaa Azhaku aniley odi vaa
Koyya marame eri vaa Gundu pazhamai kondu vaa
Paathi pazham unnidam Paathi pazham ennidam
Kooti kooti iruvarum Kotittu kotittu tinnalaam
Meaning
Squirrel, Squirrel come running, Beautiful Squirrel come running
Climbing up a guava tree, Bring a fat ripe guava fruit back to me
Lets share the fruit half half
Lets relish the fruit.
C
CHUNDELIKAL
Tak Tak ghadiyaaram Tattu niramba paniyaaram
Kutty kutty chundelikal Ety etty paartanavey
Tan tan endrathu Ghadiyaaram, Taavi vandatu karimppoonai
"Mai" (also known as kajal in Hindi) is a thick black kohl usually prepared at home which is used as an eye liner to enhance the baby's eyes, it also acts as a coolant, and protector against the evil eye. Flowers often adorn women's hair. This beautiful song calls for each bird to bring something for the baby. The idea is to introduce birds and commonly used items to the baby through a song.
Thiruttu poonaikyu "en ponnai thirumanam saidhu tharamathen".
Vendaam indha sambandham vettka kedu poi varalam
Meaning
The Cats' marriage was being conducted and
all the people in the world were enjoying it,
Going around the village sitting on an elephant chariot,
(Ottagam)Camels and (Chivingi)Giraffes dancing,
All the village birds were singing in the background,
There was fine food served for all the invitees
At the time of tying the "mangalya rope" the male cat was missing,
everybody searched for the male cat,
and they all returned worried.
It seems that the male cat was stealthily drinking the milk of neighbor.
"For a thief cat I won't give my daughter,
it was disgusting to give my daughter to a thief.
I don't want this marriage proposal" says the father-in-law cat.
And with that the marriage broke out.
Vettkakedu (Vekkakedu) Shame on the cat, (Poi varalam) lets take our leave.
Moral: We should not steal.
S
SAAINDHAADAMMA SAAINDHAADU
Saaindhaadamma saaindhaadu
Saayakilliye saaindhaadu
Thithikkum thene saaindhaadu
Thevittadha tamizhe saaindhaadu
Mayile kuyile saaindhaadu
Maadapuraave saaindhaadu
Kattikarumbe saaindhaadu
Kaaichiyapaale saaindhaadu
Kuthuvillakke saaindhaadu
Kutti nilave saaindhaadu
Meaning
Rock baby rock
Rock my colorful parrot
Rock sweet honey
Rock insatiable Tamil
Rock my peacock, my cuckoo
Rock my dove
Rock my sweet sugarcane
Rock my boiled milk
Rock my lamp
Rock my little moonView
"This is a popular rhyme sung in every Tamilian household. This is sung while one actually rocks a baby sitting on the lap. The baby is rocked in tune with the rhyme and it never fails to put an instant smile on the baby's face.
U
UYIRUM NEEYE( This is the special prayer for Mother’s Day)
Uyirum Neeye Udalum Neeye Uravum Neeye Thaaye (2)
Un Udalil Sumandhu Uyirai Pagirndhu
Uruvam Tharuvaai Neeye (2)
Un Kannil Vazhiyum Oru thuLLi Podhum
Kadalum Urugum Thaaye
Un Kaaladi Mattum Tharuvai Thaaye
Sorgam Enbadhum Poyye
PeNNai padaithaan MaNNai Padaitthaan
Katrum Oliyum Mazhaiyum Padaitthaan (2)
Boomikku Adhanaal Nimmadhi Illai (2)
Sami Thavitthan Thaayai Padaitthan
V
VAL VAL ENDRU KURAIKKATHU
Val val endru kuraikkathu
vaalai vaalai aatathu
engal veettu naai kutty
enakku piditha naai kutty.
Paalum sorum unnathu
pakkam azhaithaal varathu
engal veettu naai kutty
enakku piditha naai kutty.
Angum ingum odaathu
athanaal thollai kidaiyathu
engal veettu naai kutty
enakku piditha naai kutty.
Appadi enna naai kutty
athisayamana naai kutty
appa enakku vaangi thantha
rubber bommai naai kutty.
Meaning
It doesn't bark like, "Bow, wow!"
Its tail doesn't move.
Our house puppy,
My favorite puppy.
It doesn't eat milk and rice
It doesn't come near, if you call.
Our house puppy,
My favorite puppy.
It doesn't run here and there,
So its no trouble at all.
Our house puppy,
My favorite puppy.
What type of puppy is it?...
Surprising puppy,
My father bought it for me,
A rubber doll puppy
VARAPPU UYARA
Varappu uyara, neer uyarum.
Neer uyara nel uyarum.
Nel uyara, kol uyarum.
Kol uyara kon uyarvan"
- The verse was composed by Ouvaiyar.
Varappu means field bed to hold water
Neer means water for irrigation
Nel means paddy we grow for our food
Kol means Sceptre held by Kings to rule. (In tamil Sengol)
I studied in a Convent School and Music was part of our curriculum, I used to absolutely love my music class as it was the happiest class of our early education and the songs that we used to learn were so comical that we used to laugh and feel fresh. Here are some of the songs we learnt in school. I intend to add on to this list which I have organized in an alphabetical order I think music “should” be part of the curriculum during our early years.
B
BROWN GIRL IN THE RING
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
Theres a brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la la
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
Come on show me your motion
Tra la la la la la
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
I remember one saturday night
We had fried fish and johnny-cakes
I remember one saturday night
We had fried fish and johnny-cakes
Beng-a-deng
Beng-a-deng
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
Theres a brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la la
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
Come on show me your motion
Tra la la la la la
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
I remember one saturday night
We had fried fish and johnny-cakes
I remember one saturday night
We had fried fish and johnny-cakes
Beng-a-deng
Beng-a-deng
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
See, brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la la
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
All had water run dry
Got nowhere to wash my cloths
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
Look that brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la la
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
My luncheon lies over the rail;
My supper lies in great commotion,
Will someone please bring me a pail?
Please bring, please bring,
Please bring a pail to me, to me,
Please bring, please bring,
Oh,
BYE BYE BUNTING
Bye baby bunting
Daddy's gone a'hunting
Mummy's gone a'milking
Sister's gone a'silking
Brother's gone to buy a skin
To wrap the baby bunting in
F
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow
H
HERE WE GO 'ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH,
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
So early in the morning.
This is the way we wash our clothes,
Wash our clothes, wash our clothes.
This is the way we wash our clothes,
So early Monday morning.
This is the way we iron our clothes,
Iron our clothes, iron our clothes.
This is the way we iron our clothes,
So early Tuesday morning.
This is the way we mend our clothes,
Mend our clothes, mend our clothes.
This is the way we mend our clothes,
So early Wednesday morning.
This is the way we sweep the floor,
Sweep the floor, sweep the floor.
This is the way we sweep the floor,
So early Thursday morning.
This is the way we scrub the floor,
Scrub the floor, scrub the floor.
This is the way we scrub the floor,
So early Friday morning.
This is the way we bake our bread,
Bake our bread, bake our bread.
This is the way we bake our bread,
So early Saturday morning.
This is the way we go to church,
Go to church, go to church.
This is the way we go to church,
So early Sunday morning.
HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He's got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He's got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the sun and the rain in His hands,
He's got the moon and the stars in His hands,
He's got the wind and the clouds in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got the rivers and the mountains in His hands,
He's got the oceans and the seas in His hands,
He's got you and he's got me in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
He's got everybody here in His hands,
He's got everybody there in His hands,
He's got everybody everywhere in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye;
(Children in circle skip to the left while singing)
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie!
(Children in circle skip to the right, then stretch arms up toward center to form the pie.)
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
(Children in circle bring arms back down to waist level, then children in center of ring begin to 'chirp' and 'tweet')
Wasn't that a dainty dish
To set before the king?
(Children in circle skip to the left; children in center flutter about like birds.)
The king was in his counting house,
Counting all the money;
(Children in circle walk backward four steps then pretend to count money; children in center keep fluttering like birds)
The queen was in the parlor,
Eating bread with honey
(Children in circle walk forward four steps, kneel and pretend to eat; children in center keep fluttering like birds)
The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes;
(Children in circle pretend to pick up clothes, then turn outward and hang them up.)
When down came a blackbird
Who snapped off her nose!
(Children in center flutter to, and run around, those in the circle, one bird to one child, each snapping off a nose. Those in the circle kneel and the birds each hold up one finger to represent the nose.)
Repeat, with the children changing positions.
HOKEY POKEY
You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out,
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about,
You do the hokey pokey
and you turn yourself around
That’s what it's all about.
2) left hand
3) right foot
4) left foot
5) head
6) butt
7) whole self
J
JINGLE BELLS
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight! Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!
A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride;
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank;
Misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot. Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!
Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young;
Take the girls tonight,
And sing this sleighing song.
Just get a bob-tailed bay,
Two-forty for his speed;
Then hitch him to an open sleigh,
And crack! You'll take the lead. Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!
M
MARYS BOY CHILD
Marys boy child jesus christ, was born on christmasa day.
And man will live for evermore, because of christmas day.
Long time ago in bethlehem, so the holy Bible said,
Marys boy child jesus christ, was born on christmas day.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of christmas day.
Marys boy child jesus christ, was born on christmas day.
While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
They see a bright new shining star,
They hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of christmas day.
For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace.
Now joseph and his wife, mary, came to bethlehem that night,
They found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.
And then they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn,
And in a manger cold and dark, marys little boy was born.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of christmas day.
Marys boy child jesus christ, was born on christmas day.
Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace.
MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN
My bonnie lies over the ocean
My bonnie lies over the sea
My bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh bring back my bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me
Last night as I lay on my pillow
Last night as I lay on my bed
Last night as I lay on my pillow
I dreamed that my bonnie was dead
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me
Oh blow ye the winds o'er the ocean
And blow ye the winds o'er the sea
Oh blow ye the winds o'er the ocean
And bring back my bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me
The winds have blown over the ocean
The winds have blown over the sea
The winds have blown over the ocean
And brought back my bonnie to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me
VERSION 2
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
My Bonnie lies over the sea,
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Oh, blow, ye winds, over the ocean,
And blow, ye winds, over the sea,
And blow, ye winds, over the ocean,
And bring back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Last night as I lay on my pillow,
Last night as I lay on my bed,
Last night as I lay on my pillow,
I dreamed that my Bonnie was dead.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
The winds have blown over the ocean,
The winds have blown over the sea,
The winds have blown over the ocean,
And brought back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
My Bonnie's complexion was lovely,
Her face, it was beauteous to see;
One day she got caught in a rainstorm,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
My Bonnie leaned over the gas tank,
The height of its contents to see;
I lighted a match to assist her,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
My mother's an apple-pie maker,
My father, he fiddles for tin,
My sister scrubs floors for a livin',
Oh boy, how the money rolls in.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.
Last night as I lay on my pillow,
Last night as I lay on my bed,
I stuck my feet out of the window,
Next morning the neighbors were dead.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back my neighbors to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my neighbors to me.
My breakfast lies over the ocean,
please bring a pail to me.
Who knows what I had for breakfast,
Who knows what I had for tea?
Who knows what I had for supper,
Just look out the window and see!
Clams, clams, clams, clams,
Oh, clams and ice cream don't agree with me!
Clams, clams, clams, clams,
Oh, clams and ice cream don't agree!
O
Oh my lord
Oh my lord
You sent your son to save us
Oh my lord
Your very self you gave us
Oh my lord
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more
Oh my lord
When in the crib they found him
Oh my lord
A golden halo crowned him
Oh my lord
They gathered all around him
To see him and adore
(this day will live forever)
Oh my lord (so praise the lord)
They had become to doubt you
Oh my lord (he is the truth forever)
What did they know about you
Oh my lord (so praise the lord)
But they were lost without you
They needed you so bad (his light is shining on us)
Oh my lord (so praise the lord)
With the childs adoration
Oh my lord (he is a personation)
There came great jubilation
Oh my lord (so praise the lord)
And full of admiration
They realized what they had (until the sun falls from the sky)
Oh my lord (oh praise the lord)
You sent your son to save us
Oh my lord (this day will live forever)
Your very self you gave us
Oh my lord (so praise the lord)
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more
R
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
You know Dasher and Dancer And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Play in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say,
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him
And they shouted out with glee,
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history!"
T
THE FARMER'S IN HIS DEN,
The farmer's in his den,
The farmer's in his den,
E - I - Addio ,
The farmer's in his den.
The song continues ....
The farmer wants a wife,
The wife wants a child
The child wants a nurse
The nurse wants a dog
The dog wants a bone
We all pat the dog !!!
THE LIFE IN THE ARMY
The life in the army
they say is mighty fine
They say you'll find none better, I say they've lost their minds.
Chorus:
Oh, I don't want no more of Army life
Gee Boy I wanna go, Oh boy I wanna go,
Show me the way to go home.
The life in the army
they say is mighty fine
They treat u like a monkey and
make u stand in a line,
Chorus:
Oh, I don't want no more of Army life
Gee Boy I wanna go, Oh boy I wanna go,
Show me the way to go home.
The leaders that they have here,
they say are mighty fine,
But when you get up closer,
they look like Frankenstein.
“Repeat Chorus”
The food in the army,
they say is mighty fine,
I took a small bite,
it taste like iodine!!
“Repeat Chorus”
The biscuits in the Army
They say are mighty fine
One rolled off the table
And killed a friend of mine
“Repeat Chorus”
The coffee in the Army
They say is mighty fine
It looks like muddy water
And tastes like turpentine
“Repeat Chorus”
The Cocoa in the army,
they say is mighty fine,
It's good for cuts and bruises
and tastes like iodine.
“Repeat Chorus”
The pay in the Army
they say is mighty fine
They give you fifty dollars
And take back forty-nine
“Repeat Chorus”
The drinks in the army,
They say are mighty fine
You ask for Coca Cola
they give you turpentine.
“Repeat Chorus”
The clothes in the army,
they say are mighty fine,
Me and my buddy,
both fit into mine.
“Repeat Chorus”
The boots in the army,
they say their mighty fine,
i ask for size 11,
they give me 99!!
“Repeat Chorus”
the guns in the army,
they say their mighty fine,
i try to shoot a guy,
it shot off my eye!!
“Repeat Chorus”
The jeeps in the army
They say are mighty fine,
They go around the corner
and leave the wheels behind.
“Repeat Chorus”
The tents/cabins that you sleep in,
they say are mighty fine,
But whoever said this
has never slept in mine.
“Repeat Chorus”
The first aid that they give you,
they say is mighty fine,
But if you cut your finger,
you’re left with only nine.
“Repeat Chorus”
They say that in the Army
The girls are mighty fine
You ask for Betty Grable
They give you Frankenstein
“Repeat Chorus”
The girls at the service club they say are mighty fine,
Most are over eighty and the rest are under nine.
“Repeat Chorus”
The quizzes that they give us,
they say are mighty fine,
We never know the answers,
we're mixed up all the time,
“Repeat Chorus”
The chicken that they serve us they say is mighty fine,
One fell off the table and killed a friend of mine,
I don't want no more of Army life,
Gee, Mom, I want to go home.
“Repeat Chorus”
The typhoid shots they give us will make us all immune,
They stick a needle in us and knock us out 'till June,
I don't want no more of Army life,
Gee, Mom, I want to go home.
The toilets in the army are the best that they can get,
Last night my tent mate had to go, they haven’t found him yet.
“Final Chorus”
U
UNA PALOMA BLANCA
When the sun shines on the mountain
And the night ison the run
It's a new day It's a new way
And I fly up to the sun
I can feel the morning sunlight I can smell the new moon haze** I can hear God's voice is calling For my golden sky light way
Una paloma blanca I'm just a bird in the sky Una paloma blanca Over the mountains I fly No one can take my freedom away
Once I had my share of losing for they locked me on a chain Yes they tried to break my power oh I still can feel the pain
Una paloma blanca I'm just a bird in the sky Una paloma blanca Over the mountains I fly No one can take my freedom away
Una paloma blanca I'm just a bird in the sky Una paloma blanca
This is the story of the farmer in his den.
There is a traditional children's song which goes......
