Looking for Songs to Sings to My Babes

[anomaly13]

I am no singer but have been singing a few songs to my kids recently and they keep asking for more. The problem is I don't know very many songs, until I hear them on the radio or something and start singing along but I can never on the spot think of a song I know the words to. Anyway we aren't into Rafi or other "kids" songs, would rather sing them "real" songs. Does that make sense? Know any good songs to sing to kids that aren't just for kids?

I have been singing a verse from Amazing Grace and You Are My Sunshine but then read the lyrics to the whole song and they make me a little sad (you are my sunshine more so) don't know if I could sing them to my kids.

[Ambishop19]

The Beatles, for sure!

I also really like Jack John's music, especially the soundtrack he did for the movie Curious George (good music that is also kid music) and his song "Banana Pancakes."

I know Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants also have some cds that are geared towards children.

[junipermuse]

I like singing folk songs to my kids. For the longest time Oh Susannah was dd's favorite. There are several artists that are aimed at children, but really focus more on folk music and I enjoy listening to their cd's. I really find that's the easiest way to learn new songs. Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell are good. I also sing whatever comes on the radio. The train song "hey soul sister" is one I sing to my kids. Dd also loves Taylor Swift and knows the whole "love story" song by heart and used to sing it all the time. We listen to the radio a lot. Really though whatever you like to listen too could probably be sung to your children. On the other hand I used to be a preschool teacher and I do know a lot of classic children's songs and I enjoy singing those to my kids as well.

[lapis]

there is a song book called "rise up singing" and its great! tons of folk songs and it has the guitar cords but if you don't play guitar/don't know the tune, you can find renditions of many of them on youtube...

I'm a bit fan of James Taylor songs, pretty easy lyrics to remember, easy tunes to sing and not crazy-making like Raffi!
jelly man kelly
sweet baby james
you can close your eyes

I also like sade "sweetest gift". its a nice bedtime song

I loved my mom singing to me. she knew a bunch of camp songs form the 70's many of which were sort of sad. My sister and I weren't bothered by the sad songs but I had a few friends come over to spend the night, who did get upset by the lyrics, so depending on who your kids are you may or may not be able to sing sadish songs..... I really loved this song called "irene goodnight" which if you don't know, has a verse that goes "I'll take morphine and die!".... yikes!

anyhow, have fun learnings songs and singing. I've sung to all the babies and kids I've nannied for and its been really fun... although I advise you to not sing "jingle bells batman smells" or any other song you think you are just going to sing once just to be "silly"... it ended up being the preferred nap song for over a year. yeah, just choose your songs wisely.

[ticklemegreen]

I sing Priscilla Ahn's "Dream" to my dd

I also like "you are my sunshine", "silent night", "Free little bird", and "summertime"

[thatgirliknew]

Originally Posted by anomaly13

I am no singer but have been singing a few songs to my kids recently and they keep asking for more. The problem is I don't know very many songs, until I hear them on the radio or something and start singing along but I can never on the spot think of a song I know the words to. Anyway we aren't into Rafi or other "kids" songs, would rather sing them "real" songs. Does that make sense? Know any good songs to sing to kids that aren't just for kids?

I have been singing a verse from Amazing Grace and You Are My Sunshine but then read the lyrics to the whole song and they make me a little sad (you are my sunshine more so) don't know if I could sing them to my kids.

Well, my DS is almost 4 and he still asks me to sing to him everynight. His absolute favorite song is You Are My Sunshine. He knows every word and sings it all the time (I kinda think though that it's his favorite nighttime song because it's the longest.)

We also sing Santo, Santo, Santo (Holy, Holy, Holy) and Tender Shepherd (if you've ever seen the Mary Martin version of Peter Pan from back in the day, that's my absolute favorite show and I had my nana sing that to me when I was a LO.)