Songs with german words

This page was started with material shared by Sue Gibbs from Vicarage Park Primary School, Kendal, who hopes it will promote German language songs in schools. "You'll find authentic traditional resources, which you can use either to support your German teaching, or simply to enjoy and explore the musical potential within the beautiful songs." Each song will eventually have: pdfs: score, lyric sheet and translation and actions mp3s: song, spoken word and spoken call and response for pronunciation. If anyone has more songs they would like to add, including new compositions or arrangements, please get in touch.

Lyric sheet with English translation

Auf der Mauer

Traditional childrens song. 'On the wall, lying in wait, there sits a little bug. Just look at the little bug! How it can dance!'
song | spoken words with call and response

Der Kuckuck und der Esel

A lovely funny song about an argument between a cuckoo and a donkey as to who is the better singer!
KS 2.
score

Die Affen rasen durch den Wald

A funny song about monkeys and coconuts - really popular with children in Germany.
Check out You Tube video: HERE

words and English translation

A new German round - "Ein sehr kalter Winter" - thanks to Korinna from London.

mp3 | lyrics

"Ein sehr kalterWinter ist
Wenn ein Wolf ein Wolf ein Wolf den andern frisst!
(It is a very cold winter if one wolf eats up another)

Froh zu sein, bedarf es wenig

This is a song which can be sung as a 2 or 4 part round. It means: To be happy requires little, and he who is happy is king!
KS 2.
score | mp3 - spoken words and song

He-jo, spann den Wagen an

German version of the English traditional Hey ho, nobody home. A round in three parts
KS 2,3.
song | score

Kuckuck, kuckuck ruft aus dem Wald!

Cuckoo, cuckoo, calling from the woods - an Austrian folksong tells how the cuckoo heralds the arrival of Spring.
KS 2,3.
score

Happy Birthday!

Sung to the traditional English tune
Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!
Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!
Zum Geburtstag liebe* ... (add the name) *for a boy use lieber
Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!

Laterne, Laterne

Song associated with the traditions of St Martin's day (11th November):
Translation: Lantern, lantern, Sun, moon and stars, Burn brightly, my light, Burn brightly, my light, But don't burn my lovely lantern.
KS 2
score | song | spoken words

Laurentia

Traditional song with a lovely tune - a great way to learn the days of the week. 'Laurentia, my dear Laurentia, when will we be together again?' 'On Sunday (etc.)' 'When will it be Sunday (etc) again?'
KS 2,3.
score | song | spoken words with call and response

Mein Hut, der hat drei Ecken

Traditional childrens song, fun and easy to sing, with actions taking the place of missing words.
KS 2,3.
song | score with lyrics, translation and actions

Meine Oma

Funny song, about a practical Grandmother who does things like drive a motorbike in the chicken coop and has glasses with curtains etc. From the original by Robert Steidl (1865-1927). Shared by Korinna Hedinger-Farrell
KS 2,3.
song | lyrics | translation

Tomatensalat

Tomato Salad - funny tongue twister
KS 2,3.

score - version from Sue Gibbs

score - new version from Korinna - mp3

 

Ueber den Fluss - Korinna Hedinger-Farrell

Newly composed 12-bar blues
All KS
score

Viel Glück und viel Segen

Happy Birthday song in Germany
All KS
score

Was müssen das für Bäume sein

Great song where the group is divided into elephants and trees
KS 2.
score

Widele, wedele

The Beggarmans Wedding
KS 2,3
song | score with translation


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