At bedtime, my toddler now knows how to tell me they want me to sing a different song. I am running out of songs so have begun to pull at the church songs that are forever lodged in my brain from my upbringing. I don’t like the idea of teaching the messages in these songs. It led me to wonder if there are songs with good social messages that are appropriate for children. It’s a stretch but I hope you all can help me out!
Woodie Guthrie has a children’s album. Elizabeth Mitchell has a similar spirit. Folk is a home of humble resistance for all audiences imo
How about Woody Guthrie, This Land is Your Land.
Guthrie is a real trove.
A book recommendation: Click, Clack, Moo. It’s about cows unionizing for better conditions
Try to make an a capella version of some punk songs.
Dead Kennedys- Let’s lynch the land lord:
“But we can. You know we can. But we can. You know we can. Let’s lynch the landlord, man.”
Dropkick Murphy’s- Boys on the dock:
“Say Hey johnny boy, the battle call. United we stand divide we fall. Together we are what we can’t be alone. We came to this country and made it our home.”
It’s always fun to go “Say Hey”
Oh the little red hen took a grain of wheat, said this looks good enough to eat…
Look up “the little red song book”
union maid is commonly sung with children
This indoctrination is creepy as fuck.
In french, there is Dansons la Capucine (french link), which is, like many french revolutionary song, based of the melody of the Carmagnole. The Capucine is more destined to children, but still written by a revolutionary (or its grandma it seems).
A quick translation if needed :
Dansons la capucine | Let's dance the Capucine Y'a pas de pain chez nous | There is no bread at home Y'en a chez la voisine | Our neighbours have some Mais ce n'est pas pour nous | But it is not for us Youh ! Same with fire Same with bread Dansons la capucine | Let's dance the Capucine Y'a du plaisir chez nous | There's happiness at home On pleure chez la voisine | Our neighbours are weeping On rit toujours chez nous | We're always laughing Youh !
