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lyrics - The Best of Gemini, Volume II

A Feast
Kids Are Kids
He's Got the Whole World
With You
Best Friends
Together
May There Always Be Sunshine*
Everybody Loves Saturday Night
La Bamba

Je Je Kule
The Earth is Our Mother
Zum Gali
Aiken Drum
Ode to Soup
Who'd 'a Thunk It
Popcorn
Bath Time

Don't Forget to Sing*
Table of Life
If We Care*
Who Will Love
In My Bones
Seeds*
Helping Hand
Keep a Little Light

* these songs include signing / hand-motion instructions.
When signing a song, you don't need to have a sign for every word; it's fine to sign only the key words. Make the motions flowing, dance-like, and as large as you like. Enjoy!

A Feast © 1998 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

Oh, there's a feast of song in this house, Oh, there's a feast of song in this house, Oh, there's a feast of song in this house, Won't you come in, you're welcome inside. Won't you come in, you're welcome inside. Oh, there's a feast of joy... Oh, there's a feast of hope... Sit down at the table and have your fill. Don't go away hungry, there won't be a bill. Oh, there's a feast of love...

Kids Are Kids © 1996 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

Kids are kids the whole world round. Kids everywhere make a joyful sound. They laugh and shout and they sing out loud. Kids are kids the whole world round. Some of them wear a sari, Some a silk kimono, Some of them wear a fez or a turban, Some a straw sombrero. Some of them swagger in cowboy boots, Some even strut in three piece suits, Mostly they wear their faded blue jeans, When they get to be teens. Yes, they'll get to be teens! Kids live in Capetown, Melbourne, and Rio Tokyo, Cairo, New York, or Rome. Kids live in jungles, deserts, and forests, Wherever they are is home. Kids come in colors from light to dark, Each of them born with a special spark. When you get to know them, you'll find it's true, Inside they're just like you. They're all just like you! From North to South, wherever you may go, Kids are kids, kids are kids. From East to West, whomever you may meet, Kids are kids, kids are kids.

He's Got the Whole World Traditional African American

He's got the whole world in His hands He's got the whole wide world in His hands He's got all the little children in His hands He's got everybody here in His hands

With You © 2000 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

I want to sing out a happy song, clear and sweet and honest and strong. I want to sing out a happy song with you, you, you, you... I want to walk down a simple road, carrying my honest share of the load. I want to walk down a simple road with you, you, you, you... I want to dance round a mighty tree, knowing all people everywhere are free. I want to dance round a mighty tree with you, you, you, you... I want to work at a useful trade, being satisfied with the things that I made. I want to work at a useful trade with you, you, you, you... I want to live in harmony, peace, truth, love and justice to see I want to live in sweet harmony with you, you, you, you... Every single one of you, not just one, not just two, not just a handful and not just a few, I want to sing out with the whole crew, every single one of you, you, you, you, you...

Best Friends © 1994 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

Best friends, always together Best friends, never alone Best friends, when we're apart Best friends, deep in the heart I can count on you when I need a hand No matter where I go You've never failed me yet, and I know you won't And that's how I know And that's how you show, that we're... You help me see my way through thick and thin No matter where I go When I think of you, I am never lost And that's how I know And that's how you show, that we're...

Together © 2000 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

I've got a voice, you've got a voice, we can sing you and I together. I've got a grin you've got a grin we can laugh you and I together. I've got my feet you've got your feet we can dance you and I together. I've got my hands you've got your hands... we can work you and I together. I've got my heart you've got your heart we can love you and I together.

May There Always Be Sunshine © A. Ostrovsky
English Words: T. Botting, Russian Words: L. Oshanin

May there always be sunshine May there always be blue skies May there always be Momma May there always be me. Poost vsig da boodyet sonsei Poost vsig da boodyet nyeba Poost vsig da boodyet Mama Poost vsig da boodoo ya.

May there always be - With the right arm bent at the elbow, and the index finger pointing up, move the right hand in small circles at shoulder level. sunshine - Start with both hands together in front of your chest, raise them up overhead, and bring them down and apart in a large arc. blue skies - Start with your hands together at belly level, palms up, and lift them up and apart in a big circle, ending up with fingertips touching above your head. Momma - With right hand open, touch the thumb twice to the side of your chin. Papa - (for Father's Day) - Make the motion of tipping your hat. me - Point to yourself with the index finger of your right hand.

Everybody Loves Saturday Night Traditional Nigerian

The government of Nigeria put a curfew on it's people a number of years ago. When people protested, the government agreed to lift the curfew for Saturday nights only. People went out into the streets and spontaneously created this song as part of the celebrations. The song has been translated into many languages and sung throughout the world.

Bobo waro fero Satodeh - Nigerian Tous le monde aime Samedi soir - French Todos aman la noche del Sabado - Spanish Yeider aine hat liebe Shabbas ba nacht - Yiddish Minden ember szeret Szombat est_t - Hungarian

La Bamba Traditional Mexican

Para bailar La Bamba, para bailar La Bamba se neccesito Una poca de gracia, Una poca de gracia par mi pasia yariba, yariba, Ah yariba yariba por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere Yo non soy marinero, yo non soy marinero, soy capitan Soy capitan soy capitan. Bamba, bamba, bamba, bamba, Bamba bamba bamba ba. To dance La Bamba, you need a little grace. A little grace, plus a little get up and go. I'm not a sailor. I'm a captain.

Je Je Kule Traditional West African

This is a children's game song. The words say, "Can you follow me? Can you do what I do?" The leader improvises hand motions, (like "Head and Shoulders") and everyone else "echoes" them, along with the singing.

Je Je Kule -- Je Je Kule Je Kovisa -- Je Kovisa Kovisa Langa -- Kovisa Langa Baya Tulanga -- Baya Tulanga Umm, Aleya Leya, Umm, Aleya Leya Umm, Aleya Leya, Umm, Aleya Leya

The Earth is Our Mother Traditional - Native American

The earth is our mother, we must take care of her. Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan. Her sacred ground we walk upon, with every step we take. The earth is our mother, she will take care of us.

Zum Gali Traditional Israeli

Hechalutz l'maan avodah, avodah l'maan hechalutz Hashalom l'maan haamin, haamin l'maan hashalom Work is good for people, people are good for work Peace is good for people, people are good for peace

Aiken Drumm Traditional Scottish

Oh there was a man lived in the moon, Lived in the moon, lived in the moon Oh there was a man lived in the moon, And his name was Aiken Drumm And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle And his name was Aiken Drumm And his head was made of... And his nose was made of...

Ode to Soup © 1998 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

You glance at the clock You get your favorite crock Find your apron or a smock You boil up some stock That's the way to make some soup, real fine You take what you got You put it in a pot Then you cook it real hot You stir it quite a lot That's the way to make some soup, real fine Add some spices Shredded cheese or slices Garnish to look nicest Take my good advices That's the way to make some soup, real fine Chicken soup, Mulligatawny Gazpacho soup, Minestroni Beet Borsht soup, Cream of Tomato Asparagus soup, Leek and Potato Soup for lunch, soup for brunch Soup's a super supper Soup's a winner dinner Night or day, every way You sip it from a cup, You spoon it all up, You lick it out the bowl, It's good for the soul, That's the way to have some soup That's the way to sip some soup That's the way to slurp some soup, real fine

Who'd 'a Thunk It © 1997 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

My little girl, she loves to eat broccoli Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure. Her Daddy used to live on burgers and french fries But my little girl, she loves to eat broccoli Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure. My little girl, she loves to eat tofu Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure. Her Daddy was raised on chicken soup and meatloaf But my little girl, she loves to eat tofu Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure. My girl eats with gusto, she uses both hands She don't need any dishes, she eats straight from the pans She smears her food all over the place, Some in her mouth, but most on her face My little girl, she loves to chow down Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure. Not like her Daddy who was a finicky eater My little girl, she loves to chow down Who'd 'a thunk it, go figure.

Popcorn © 2000 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

While we're at the movies Thrills and chills and spills galore Or viewing our home videos Favorite scenes we've seen before. We get the urge for munchies, Craving for some crunchies We want something that's good to chew What're we gonna do? We get some popcorn, popcorn Hot popcorn, buttered popcorn From a bow or bag, popcorn Salted popcorn, Fresh out of the popcorn popper, popcorn Hot right from the pot, popcorn From the stove top, popcorn Weíll have some popcorn, popcorn Popcorn, popcorn Lounging in the living room Or leaning against the kitchen wall Gathered round the fireplace Telling tales both short and tall We get the urge for munchies, Craving for some crunchies We want something thatís good to chew What're we gonna do? Finished all the popcorn, "Mom, could you make some more please?" Mom, says "No, I think we've had Enough of all these calories." Let's get up and energize. Time to get some exercise. I know something that's good for you. I know just what we'll do. We'll sing this silly song about, popcorn, popcorn Hop and skip and jump along to this not-really pop song Building up our appetite for some more popcorn, popcorn Hot popcorn, buttered popcorn From a bowl or bag, popcorn Salted popcorn, Fresh out of the popcorn popper, popcorn Hot right from the pot, popcorn From the stove top, popcorn Weíll have some popcorn, popcorn Popcorn, popcorn.

Bath Time © 1998 Sandor Slomovits ASCAP

Time to take a bath Wash all the dust off from the path Scrub off whatever grime I may hath It's time to take a bath I've been outside playing all day Mom says I look and smell that way She gives me supper, out in the yard She says cleaning the whole house would be much too hard I throw my clothes in the washing machine They are as nasty as I've ever seen My dog is muddy from tail to nose I get the bathtub, and he gets the hose The water is brown, I've soaked and scoured Been sudsing and rinsing for half an hour I've belted out all of my favorite tunes My fingers and toes are all wrinkled like prunes Time to get out of the bath I've washed all the dust off from the path I've scrubbed off whatever grime I may hath It's time to end the bath Tomorrow I'll probably do it again Get dirty and muddy and filthy and then My mom will say, "Don't think I forgot. I know that you know, and you know I know, I know that you know that it's time for you know what."

Don't Forget to Sing © 1993 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

Don't forget to sing! Don't forget to sing! No matter what is happening, don't forget to sing! Some baby birds were squawking in the nest, Their Mamma said, "Soon you'll learn to fly. You'll move your wings like birds have done for thousands of years, And then you'll take off for the sky." A baby whale was swimming with his Dad, Diving in the ocean blue and wide. "The waters are so deep and full of mystery, If you call to me I'll be by your side." Whether we have feathers or fur, Shells or scales or skin, Each of us has our own sound, What a wonderful din! Whether we have arms or legs, Paws or fins or wings, Each of us, big or small, In our own way sings. When I was still a little child I heard so many things both false and true. Of all the things I heard, I tell you this was the best - My Mom and Daddy's words, I'll pass them on to you.

don't - Put the thumb of your right hand under your jaw and pull it forward out in front of your chin. forget - Wipe your brow with your right hand. to sing - Hold out your left arm, and with your right hand wave along the line of your left forearm, like you're conducting an orchestra. no matter what is happening - Hold both hands in front of you, palms up. Move hands alternately up and down, brushing fingertips as your hands pass one another.

Table of Life © 2000 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

We are singing at the table of life. We are singing at the table of life. Oh, what a song, at the table of life! Singing at the table of life. We are laughing at the table of life We are laughing at the table of life So much joy at the table of life! Laughing at the table of life We are playing at the table of life. We are playing at the table of life. Oh, what a game at the table of life! Playing at the table of life. We are working at the table of life. We are working at the table of life. Oh, lend your hand at the table of life. Working at the table of life. We are learning at the table of life. We are learning at the table of life. So much wisdom at the table of life! Learning at the table of life. We are sharing at the table of life. We are sharing at the table of life. Oh, what a feast, at the the table of life! Sharing at the table of life

If We Care © 1995 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

If we care, and we share, then we'll all have enough. If we don't, or we won't, it'll be tough, it'll be rough. But if we love one another, deep in the heart, that's the start. The sun shines bright on all of us, And the rains fall down on all of us And the breezes blow for all of us So all of us can learn - that, if we care... The trees give shade to all of us And the birds sing songs for all of us And the flowers bloom for all of us So all of us can learn - that, if we care...

if we care - Extend right hand out, palms up. and we share - Extend left hand out, palms up. then we'll all - Sweep both hands outwards from in front of you. have enough - Bring both hands close to your chest, right hand resting palms up in left hand. if we don't - With right hand make a sharp, cutting, downward motion. or we won't - Same motion with left hand. it'll be tough - Raise left fist as if making a muscle, and grab the left forearm with right hand. it'll be rough - Same motion on the other side. but if we love - Cross your arms in front of you, hugging yourself. one another - Sweep both hands outwards from in front of you. deep in the heart - With the index fingers of both hands trace the shape of a heart on your chest. that's the start - Clap hands in prayer position and "burst" them upwards, and out in a circle. the sun shines bright - Move both arms, with hands "twinkling" in a wide arc above your head, outwards and down. on all of us - Sweep both hands outwards from in front of you. and the rains fall down - "Twinkle" the fingers of both hands, while moving hands downwards. and the breezes blow - Sweep and wave both hands, side to side in front of you. so all of us can learn - With right hand, touch right temple of head, then place right hand over heart. the trees give shade - Put your left hand up in a waving gesture, and put your right hand under your left elbow and the birds sing songs - Place the index finger and thumb in front of your mouth, representing the bill; flap the arms in wing-like motion. and the flowers bloom - Make the shape of a cup with your left hand, and push the fingers of your right hand up and through.

Who Will Love? Lyrics © 2000 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP;
Melody based on Planxty Irwin, a tune by 17th century Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan

But who will love if we don't love? And who will light the way? And who will love if we don't love? And who will carry on? The sun will blaze, the moon will phase, the stars will shine at night. All that burns and all that turns will fill the sky with light. The wind will blow, and streams will flow, the seas will storm and calm. The earth will yield in wood and field, her flower, her fruit, her balm.

In My Bones © 1992 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

The sun's gonna shine, shine on me, I can feel it in my bones. The river is wide, but I can get across. The winds of change are blowing strong.

Seeds © 1991 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

In concerts, before I sing this song, I ask children if they planted pumpkin seeds, would they get watermelons? (I usually get a few who say “yes,” but it’s pretty easy to get agreement on the fact that whatever we plant in the ground that’s what comes up.) Then I tell them that, in the same way, whatever we "plant" on the inside — our thoughts and feelings, in our hearts and minds — those are what grow, those become our experience of life. I talk with the children about the idea that we have a choice in the thoughts we think, and that what we think affects how we feel. When I work with children in a smaller, classroom setting, I also ask them what are some actions we could take to “water and care for” the positive thoughts of joy, peace and love that we plant on the inside? As a variation, I have them come up with other qualities to substitute into the song, and ask them for suggestions about actions that would promote those qualities.

I will plant seeds of joy in my heart each day, Water them, care for them, watch them grow, In my heart each day. In my heart, seeds of joy, growing every day. Seeds of peace... Seeds of love...

I - With your right hand, point to yourself. plant - With all the fingers of your right hand held tightly together, place them into your left palm, like you are placing something tiny into the earth. seeds - With your right hand, make seed scattering motions in a wide arc. joy - Palms up, flutter/brush both hands in a quick, upward motion, in front of your chest several times, indicating a good, "up" feeling. in my heart - With the index finger of both hands, trace the shape of a heart on your chest. each day - Place the tip of the elbow of your bent right arm, with your hand held straight up, on the down-turned left hand. Move the right hand downward towards the left elbow, keeping the right elbow in place (like the sun moving across the horizon). water them - With your right hand, pretend you are holding a watering can and you're pouring water over a row of seeds. care for them - With both arms make the motion for a hug. watch them grow - Hold your left hand like you're holding a cup. Push your right hand up from below, through the left hand, opening the fingers like a plant growing. peace - Clasp your hands in front of you (like you're shaking hands with yourself) then move both hands down and out in a smooth motion. (This shows a quieting effect on everything.) love - Cross your arms in front of you, hugging yourself.

Helping Hand © 1995 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

Reach down, a little deeper. Reach up, a little higher. Reach out a little wider. And give someone a helping hand - Let's work together now. Give someone a helping hand. Are your hands ready? Yes, yes. Are your fingers ready? Yes, yes. Are your arms ready? Yes, yes. Well, then give someone a helping hand - Let's work together now. Give someone a helping hand. Are your feet / toes / legs ... Is your neck / shoulders / back ... Is your voice / mind / heart ...

Keep a Little Light © 1994 Laszlo Slomovits ASCAP

Keep a little light, Burning bright, In your heart, Night and day. Keep it safe no matter where you are, Let your light keep shining like a star. All around it may be cold and dark. Keep it safe no matter where you go, Let it sparkle, let it glow. Keep the flame alive, fan the spark.