Simply Beautiful
Sing • Dance • Dream (MDC07, 2007) | ORDER NOW | This latest release by children’s artist and music educator Debbie Carroll features traditional and original songs accompanied by fiddle, tuba, mandolin, Celtic harp, harmonica and even hurdy-gurdy. Guest musicians include Kathy Reid-Naiman, David Francey, Eve Goldberg, Sharlene Wallace, Ernie Tollar and others. Take a trip around the world with a bulging backpack of animal, sea, tree and travelling songs. Children – and their grownups – will want to listen again and again! Simply Beautiful for Merriweather Records was produced by award-winning Ken Whiteley.
2007 Parents’ Choice Award
2007 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee: Best Children’s Album
My three-year old grandson and I love this music. I “stroll” or rock him to sleep to it, and he sings along sweetly with “Simply Beautiful.” My favorite is Red-Winged Blackbird. We also love another Debbie Carroll CD, “Up and Over the Moon.” Enjoying this music with him will always be among my happiest memories. Judith Lotz
PreS-Gr3 – Canadian Debbie Carroll’s latest recording is true to its title. Borrowing themes from nature and family, each song is presented professionally with accompaniment on instruments such as the mandolin, Celtic harp, fiddle, and hurdy-gurdy that enhances the pieces. Her mature voice on the 19 tracks provides a calmness to each song. Among the guest performers are David Francey and Sharlene Wallace. Both traditional and original songs are included; liner notes give a short background about the inspiration for the lyrics. Among the action songs, fingerplays, and lullabies are “Jack Jingle,” “Which is the Way the Wind Blows?,” “Train is a-Comin’,” “Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley,” “Sailing,” and others. The CD includes PDF files with the lyrics and actions to the songs. AN ESSENTIAL PURCHASE FOR GENERAL LISTENING AND PRESCHOOL COLLECTIONS – Kirsten Martindale, School Library Journal
“It’s absolutely wonderful. The instrumentation is gorgeous… I love how different songs put the spotlight on various instruments – jaw harp, hurdy-gurdy, bells. Honestly, listening to many of the tunes made me feel like clapping my hands, or dancing around. The whole CD has such a nice feel, and a really appealing playful quality. I appreciate children’s CDs that are as enjoyable for adults as they are for children – this is made for children and grown ups to sing, play and dance together. I love it!” Angelique Davies, Project Manager, Invest in Kids
“Debbie Carroll’s latest CD Simply Beautiful is just that. It has a refreshing sound that has our whole family singing and dancing. We take great pleasure in trying to identify the different instruments, from the tuba in Jack Jingle to the bell in Sing Me To Sleep. The album has piqued our five-year old’s curiosity and imagination as he tries to figure out what is behind the door in I Shut The Door. Debbie’s new renditions of old favorites, such as Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley and Sailing have our three-year old singing along, and our nine-month old simply enjoys moving, dancing and clapping to every track. As for myself, I am having a great time learning new songs to sing to my children as we move through our day.” Lara Munro, Mom of three
Tracklist
Click on a linked song to listen to samples.
- Jack Jingle
- Red-Winged Blackbird
- Simply Beautiful
- Somebody’s Hiding
- I Shut The Door
- Love Is Like Glue
- Which Is The Way The Wind Blow?
- Train Is A-Comin’
- At The Bottom Of The Sea
- I’m A Little Golden Bee / The Bee And The Bagpipe
- Oats Peas Beans And Barley
- Sailing
- Shady Grove
- The Tree Song
- I Love You in the Morning
- White Coral Bells
- Baloo Baleerie
- Here is the Mountain
- Sing Me To Sleep [Susch Lullaby]
Lyrics
1. JACK JINGLE
My name is Jack Jingle, the very first one
And I can play knick-knack upon my own thumb (tap on thumb)
With a knick-knack and padlock I sing a fine song
And all the fine ladies go dancing along
My name is Jack Jingle, the eldest of two
And I can play knick-knack upon my own shoe (tap on foot)
With a knick-knack and padlock I sing a fine song
And all the fine ladies go dancing along
My name is Jack Jingle, the eldest of three
And I can play knick-knack upon my own knee (tap on knee)
With a knick-knack and padlock I sing a fine song
And all the fine ladies go dancing along
My name is Jack Jingle, the eldest of four
And I can play knick-knack upon my own door (tap on head)
With a knick-knack and padlock I sing a fine song
And all the fine ladies go dancing along
My name is Jack Jingle, the eldest of five
And I can play knick-knack with any alive (tap someone else – gently)
With a knick-knack and padlock I sing a fine song
And all the fine ladies go dancing along
Lyrics: Traditional, Music: Kathy Reid-Naiman © 1997
2. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road,
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road.
He’ll be there beside the river,
When Winter finally breaks its bones,
He’ll be king among the rushes,
He’ll be master of his home.
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road.
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road.
Safe as Moses in the rushes,
Builds his home on the river wide,
Every time I hear him singing,
Makes me feel like Spring inside.
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road.
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged black bird down my road.
He’ll be in there singing his heart out,
He’ll be telling me stories too,
Of where he went to winter last year,
Of how he’s going back there too.
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road,
Thought I heard a red-winged blackbird,
Red-winged blackbird down my road.
Lyrics and Music: David Francey © 1999 Laker Music
3. SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL
You’re simply beautiful
You’re simply beautiful
You’re simply beautiful
To me you are
You’re simply beautiful
You’re simply beautiful
You’re simply beautiful to me
With the way you grow
And the way you share
And the way you smile
From here to there
With the way you dance
And the way you sing
And the way you laugh
What joy you bring
Lyrics and Music: Debbie Carroll © 2005 SOCAN
4. SOMEBODY’S HIDING
Somebody’s hiding
Somebody’s hiding
Somebody’s hiding
Peek-a-boo and see!
Where are you hiding?
Where are you hiding?
Where are you hiding?
Peek-a-boo and see?
When will I find you?
When will I find you?
When will I find you?
Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo and see!
Lyrics and Music: Debbie Carroll © 2004 SOCAN
5. I SHUT THE DOOR
I shut the door and I lock it tight (clap hands on the word ‘shut’, then interlock fingers)
I put the key right out of sight (hold up one pointer finger, then hide it behind your back)
I find the key (bring back the pointer finger)
To open the door (the other hand, palm flat, is the ‘door’)
And I turn and I turn and I turn some more (turn the ‘key’ into the ‘door’ several times)
And then I open the door
Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak! (put hands together, then separate them until they are wide apart)
Lyrics: Anonymous; Music: Debbie Carroll © 2004 SOCAN
6. LOVE IS LIKE GLUE
Love is like glue – it sticks us together
Love is like glue – it sticks us together
Love is like glue – it sticks us together
It sticks from me to you to me to you to me to
you to me to you!
Hand to hand, hand to hand
Stick your hand to my hand
Foot to foot, foot to foot
Stick your foot to my foot
Now put your knee to my knee, knee to knee
Stick your knee to my knee
Elbow to elbow, elbow to elbow
Stick your elbow to my elbow
And now it’s thumb to thumb, thumb to thumb
Stick your thumb to my thumb
Now go back to back, back to back
Stick your back to my back
Lyrics and Music: Debbie Carroll © 1990 SOCAN
7. WHICH IS THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS?
Which is the way the wind blows
Over the silver sea
Bringing a ship for father
And a golden dream for me
Which is the way the wind blows
Over the silver sea
Bringing a gown for mother
And a silver shoe for me
Which is the way the wind blows
Over the silver sea
Bringing a moon for mother
And a tiny star for me
Traditional Dutch cradle song
8. TRAIN IS A-COMIN’
Train is a-comin’, oh ya
Train is a-comin’, oh ya
train is a-comin’, train is a-comin’
Train is a-comin’, oh ya
Bettre get a ticket, oh ya
Better get a ticket, oh ya
Better get a ticket, better get a ticket
Better get a ticket, oh ya
There’s room for all the children, oh ya
There’s room for all the children, oh ya
There’s room for all the children, room for all the children
Room for all the children, oh ya
Traditional
9. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
At the bottom of the sea (tap the floor to the beat)
All the fish are swimming (put palms of hands together and wiggle them like a fish)
Here and there and everywhere (tickle head, toes, and then all over)
Oh, baby, baby, we love you! (big hug)
At the bottom of the sea
All the crabs are crawling (fingers scamper sideways across the floor)
Here and there and everywhere
Oh, baby, baby, we love you!
At the bottom of the sea
All the plants are swaying (reach up high and lean from side to side)
Here and there and everywhere
Oh, baby, baby, we love you!
At the bottom of the sea
All the sand is smooth (draw hands slowly across arms and legs, or through the air)
Here and there and everywhere
Oh, baby, baby, we love you!
Adapted from a Danish singing game. Vs. 2,3,4: Debbie Carroll
10. I’M A LITTLE GOLDEN BEE / THE BEE WITH THE BAGPIPE
I’m a little golden bee
Working in the clover
Here, I go, there I go
All the wide world over
I’m a little golden bee
Working in the clover
Flying north, flying south
All the wide world over
I’m a little golden bee
Working in the clover
From the flower to the hive
All the world wide over
I’m a little golden bee
Working in the clover
Nectar sweet, honey smooth
All the wide world over
I’m a little golden bee
Working in the clover
Here I go, there I go
All the wide world over
Lyrics Anonymous, adapted. Additional verses and Tune: Debbie Carroll © 2000 / Traditional Irish: ‘Chanter’s Tune’
11. OATS, PEAS, BEANS AND BARLEY
Oats, peas, beans and barley grow
Oats, peas, beans and barley grow
Can you or I or anyone know
Why oats, peas, beans and barley grow?
Come, my love, and go with me
Come, my love, and go with me
Come, my love, and go with me
And I will take good care of thee
You are too young, you are not fit
You are too young, you are not fit
You are too young, you are not fit
You cannot leave your mother yet
You’re old enough now, you’re just about right
You’re old enough now, you’re just about right
You’re old enough now, you’re just about right
I asked your mother last Saturday night
Traditional
12. SAILING
Sailing, sailing over the water
Sailing, sailing over the sea
Sailing, sailing over the ocean
Sail back home to me
Floating, floating over the water…
Swimming, swimming over the water…
Jumping, jumping over the water…
Flying, flying over the water…
Anonymous
13. SHADY GROVE
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
Bound for the Shady Grove
Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall
If I can’t have the one I love
I won’t have none at all
Wish I had a banjo strong
Strung with golden twine
And every time I’d pluck on it
I’d know tht you were mine
When I go to Shady Grove
I’d like to stay all day
And there beneath the apple trees
I’ll dance my cares away
Traditional Appalachian. Verse 3 Leela & Ellie Grace, by permission.
14. THE TREE SONG
This is my trunk
I’m a tall, tall tree (reach up high)
In the summertime the blossoms grow on mee
They open
They open (fingers closed then open to show blossoms)
This is my trunk
I’m a tall, tall tree (reach up high)
In the summer the breeze blow through me
I bend
I bend (sway from side to side with arms wide open)
This is my trunk
I’m a tall, tall tree (reach up high)
In the autumn the apples grow on me
They drop
They drop (make apples with fists, and drop them to the ground)
This is my trunk
I’m a tall, tall tree (reach up high)
In the winter the snowflakes fall on me
Brrrr! Brrrr! (hug arms around yourself, and shiver)
Lorraine Lee (Hammond) © 1979 Snowy Egret Music BMI
15. I LOVE YOU IN THE MORNING
(slow) I love you in the morning
I love you in the evening
I love you in every way (sway back and forth while holding hands with your partner)
(fast) Now take it to the left and dance, dance, dance
Take it to the right and dance, dance, dance
Take it to the left and dance, dance, dance
Take it to the right and dance, dance, dance (dance your baby on your lap, or dance your partner across the floor)
Debbie Carroll © 2002 SOCAN
16. WHITE CORAL BELLS
White coral bells, upon a slender stalk
Lily of the valley, deck my garden walk
Oh, don’t you wish that you could hear them ring
That can happen only when the fairies sing
Traditional
17. BALOO BALEERIE
Baloo baleerie, baloo baleerie
Baloo baleerie, baloo balee
Gang awa’ peerie fairies
Gang awa’ peerie fairies
Gang awa’ peerie fairies
Frae oor ben noo
(Go away, little fairies, from our little room)
Doon come bonnie angels
Doon come bonnie angels
Doon come bonnie angels
Tae oor ben noo
(Come down, beautiful angels, to our little room)
Sleep soft, my baby
Sleep soft, my baby
Sleep solft, my baby
In oor ben noo
(Sleep safe, my baby, in our little room)
Traditional
18. HERE IS THE MOUNTAIN
Here is the mountain (hands face each other, fingertips touching)
Here is the town (palm of one hand faces upward)
Here are the streets that go ’round and ’round (with pointer finger of other hand, trace circles in palm)
This is the river under the bridge (make a bridge with one arm, and wiggle the river under it with the other arm)
And this is the tower high on the ridge (a pointer finger up is the tower; set it on the opposite arm or fist)
Here are the flowers – wherever you roam (hold up fingers and wiggle them in the wind)
And here is the bell that is calling you home (pointer finger swings back and forth like a bell)
Bim bam!
Bim bam!
Bim bam!
Lyrics and Music: Debbie Carroll © 2005
19. SING ME TO SLEEP (SUSCH LULLABY)
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
Listen, the bells are ringing
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
Listen, the bells are ringing
Through the streets of the town
And up to the mountains
The bells are ringing
To say it is night
So I’ll run down the hills
And I’ll run past the river
And stay in my bed
‘Til the morning is light
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
Listen, the bells are ringing
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
Listen, the bells are ringing
Lyrics and Music: Debbie Carroll © 2005 SOCAN