A Hiyeni

COUNTRY: Mozambique

“A Hiyeni” welcomes us to class by reminding us that “we all are in the village.” (More.)

Agua de Beber

COUNTRY: Brazil

“Agua de Beber” is a groovy bossa nova song from the most beautiful beach in Brazil.

Ali Alo

COUNTRY: France

"Ali Alo” is a laborer's song from France. (More.)

Be Ganala

COUNTRY: Australia (Torres Straits)

“Ba Ganala” is an ancient song from the Australia's Torres Straits Islands. We sing it with hand motions and a drone. (More.)

Bambo du Bambo

COUNTRY: Brazil

“Bambo du Bambo” is a samba from Brazil. The original is an embolada, a fast-paced, often-improvised song style popular in northeastern Brazil in which vocalists challenge each other, competing lightly based on verbal and vocal ability. (More.)

Daweedem

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

“Daweedam” is a Dari chant from Afghanistan that tells the tale of a little boy who values his teacher so much he honors him by baking him a loaf of bread. (More.)

Dilmano Dilbero

COUNTRY: Bulgaria

“Dilmano Dilbero” is a playful pepper harvest song from Bulgaria (More.)

Down by the Riverside

COUNTRY: U.S.

“Down By the Riverside” is the essential “Spiritual,” inspiring generations of world-changes to “study war no more.” (More.)

Hai Hoa

COUNTRY: Vietnam

“Hai Hoa” is a Vietnamese folk song that gives us the chance to celebrate the flower harvest. (More.)

I love my cow

COUNTRY: Iran

“I Love My Cow,” a Kurdish-language song from Iraq, is essentially a love song to a cow. (More.)

J'ai Passé

COUNTRY: U.S.

“J'ai Passé,” a Cajun Classic, is a sad song about lost love. (More.)

Layla

COUNTRY: Saudi Arabia

“Layla” is a Saudi Arabian love song that we sing while we're playing amazing imaginary instruments in our awesome Arabic orchestra. (More.)

Let’s Write a Song

COUNTRY: Laos

“Let's Write a Song” is a Laotian melody that inspires us to invent our own improvizational songs in the local style of Mor Lam. (More.)

Lu Core Meu

COUNTRY: Italy

“Lu Core Meu” is an exuberant, tambourine-shaking love song from southern Italy. (More.)

Ma Teodora

COUNTRY: Cuba

“Ma Teodora” is, legendarily, the first “son” song from Cuba, about a girl who goes out to collect firewood. (More.)

Nanu Nanu Ney

COUNTRY: Ethiopia

“Nanu Nanu Ney” is a phenomenally funky Ethiopian dance song from the 1980s. In class we use it as inspiration to enjoy the shoulder shaking dance, the Eskista. (More.)

Our Story may Be Sad

COUNTRY: Honduras (Garifuna)

“Our Story May Be Sad” is a drumming song from the Garifuna people of Honduras and Belize. The original tells a tale of woe, one that we will only endure if we laugh during its telling just as hard as we cry. (More.)