Some Irish Songs For My Nana

Some Irish Songs For My Nana

by Mary Lee Sunseri

Six time winner of the Children's Music Award, Mary Lee, presents 14 classic Irish melodies. Mary Lee's lovely voice is accompanied by piano, guitar, recorder, xylophone, Irish harp, and small percussion instruments throughout the recording. This is a fun way to switch up the playtime or car soundtrack, while introducing your little one to sounds of another culture.

This album is filled not only with Irish sounds, but also Irish history. Gartan Mother's Lullaby has beautiful andante triads and a mixture of English and Gaelic words, "Sheevra from the grey rock comes to wrap the world in thrall. M'le anabh thu my child, my joy, my love, my heart's desire, the crickets sing you a lullaby beside the dyin' fire." The unique sound of the Irish harp is displayed in Potatoes Are Under The Ground. The history of St. Patrick is explained in St. Patrick Was A Gentleman, and Wearin' Of The Green tells the history behind the tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. When First I Saw Sweet Nellie is an interesting story song about a 'goddess' named Nellie who "Has darts in her bright eyes that knock men down in the market town as right and left they fly." The story of The Unicorn will also be a favorite for young listeners; "There were green alligators and long-necked geese, some humpty-back camels and some chimpanzees, some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born, the loveliest of them all was the unicorn."

The songs are fun to sing along to, and direct rhymes and repeating choruses makes it even easier. Cockles and Mussels has an easy chorus of "Alive, alive, oh," and a whole second verse of just music, so perhaps your child will put their own words to the tune. McNarmara's Band sings about music, "Well, the drums go bang the cymbals clang the horns will blaze away! McCarthy puffs the old bassoon while Doyle the pipes will play. Oh, Hennesey Tennessee tootles the flute, my word 'tis something grand." This story even includes a kazoo! Leprechaun, Leprechaun is a spoken word story about what a Leprechaun is and why he hides his gold at the end of the rainbow. The story involves a chant that is repeated several times throughout, so your child can join in and perhaps clap to the beat, "Leprechaun, leprechaun, little man in green, Leprechaun leprechaun the smallest ever seen! Leprechaun leprechaun if I may be so bold, Leprechaun leprechaun give me your pot of gold!" Your child may have questions about the new Irish words and names throughout the CD, such as what is a Sheeva, a leprechaun, or a cockle.

My four-year-old niece, Emily, really enjoyed the Leprechaun story. She wanted to know if it was a true story, and if there were Leprechauns hiding in the woods behind her house. Not wanting to kill creativity so young, I simply smiled and said I wasn't sure. She was so excited! She showed so much interest that I actually took her to the library later in the week and we rented some children's books on Leprechauns. I am glad to see her interest in another culture - even if it is in mythical creatures.

--Audra

Mary Lee Sunseri is the winner of two American Library Notable Children's Recordings and four Parents Choice Awards. She has produced and performed 16 CD's of traditional and original music. Mary Lee has performed with the legendary Burl Ives, opened for Bill Cosby and Lily Tomlin, recorded the title song to Walt Disney's movie The Apple Dumpling Gang, recorded nursery rhymes for Mattel Toys' See 'N Say, toured as a member of "Randy Sparks & The Back Porch Majority,"and appeared in the MGM Elvis Presley movie The Trouble with Girls.

Mary Lee received her certificate of study in Musical Theatre from London Drama School with distinction in singing. She performs at festivals, concerts, folk clubs, and corporate and academic groups. She is a frequent performer at public schools and　libraries throughout California, Massachusetts and Washington, and gives workshops on music and infant brain development.