Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Speaking of Wailing Monkeys

Seems I've started a nightly routine I can't get out of. Monkey No. 1 requires a short concert of me at bedtime. And really, how can I refuse since he's the only audience that really counts. I'm sure he'll grow out of it so I'm enjoying it before he tells me to shut up. Monkey No. 2 sings to his own march right now, so this is really for me and J-dawg.

Unfortunately, by that time of day my brain is fried and it seems my repertoire for lullaby's and soothing songs that calm the beast seems to be lacking. The usual kid's stuff just bores me to death, and he doesn't always dig it anyway. So I'm trying to expand the definition of what can be used as a good night song.

Although Twinkle Twinkle still makes the cut because that's the first song he sang when he was three. We do that one together.

So, do tell, my denizens of the blogdom, what song do you like to drift off to dreamland with? Got a favorite tune in your family? I'd love to hear it. In a foreign language? No problem. Something ultra-obscure? All the better. If I get a lot of suggestions I'll learn 'em and post later which ones gain the Monkey Triple Z Seal of Approval.

Peace and Nocturnes,
Simon

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Hush little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beasts under your bed
In your closet, in your head

Exit: light
Enter: night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land"

Enter Sandman
- Metallica
http://kniazeu.by.ru/music/metallica_enter_sandman_mp3.html

Alden said...

Indeed. Kip, you silly boy. I'll be sure to send the raging mother of monkey's into your dreams when she finds out I sang that to them. :)

Anonymous said...

LOL. :D I thought you'd like that! I was totally kidding, of course! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, there's some song about barges and pirates (or maybe i'm mixing two songs)that my aunt sang to me as a kid. Now I will have to venture on a long google search to find it for you.

rob{ert} said...

Man, you have reminded me of some very sweet moments with my kids when they were young.

We always loved singing "The Eerie Canal" together. You know, the mule named Sal pulling barges in his day.

The song about the Horse in Striped Pajamas was good too.

Hey there Captain do you see
There's a horse in striped pajamas
No, that's not what it is at all
That's an animal people call a zebra.
I see.
But it still looks like a horse in striped pajamas to me.

The brutal reduction of bumblebees to so much gooey pulp was also a favorite:

I'm looking at a baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm looking at a baby bumblebee.
Ouch! He stung me!

I'm crushing up a baby bumblebee
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm crushing up a baby bumblebee
Look, he's all over me.

Anylady said...

my personal favorites are "greensleeves" and "you are my sunshine"

Anonymous said...

Do NOT sing your kids enter sandman!

I like this spanish song my teacher used to sing us. I think it's supposed to be Mary singing to Jesus. I have no idea what the name is but it goes:

"Anananita nana nanita ella nanita ella.

Mi Jesús tene sueno bendito seya bendito seya."

The whole first verse is nonsense. Then it's "My Jesus is sleepy. He is blessed. He is blessed." You can add in your child's name, which is super sweet. Of course, unless you're planning on calling your local mexican, you'll have to make up your own tune. :)

Anonymous said...

my mother's youngest brother spent a lot of time with us when he was in college in the early 80's and when he was pressed into night-time serenading service he sang the smiths' "asleep" to my brother and i. i still love that song and think about him whenever i hear it. the lyrics are downright tragic (it was the smiths), but it's such a beautiful song...

Anonymous said...

I'm coming a little late to the game and J-dawg may be telling you to shut up by now (they grow up so fast), but my girls always liked "Hush-a-bye Mountain" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Personal favorites are Billy Joel's "Lullabye" on the River of Dreams album and "Alright for Now" by Tom Petty on Full Moon Fever.

monique said...

Like another person mentioned already, my favorite is "anananita nana" its actually like a realy song you can download and listen to to then sing to your kid. I sing it to my daughter every night. Its just perfectly sweet and calming