Robert Choi - Korean Folk Songs: Stars in the Sky and Dreams in Our Hearts [14 Sing Along Songs with the Downloadable Audio included]

Acknowledgments

First, I would like to thank God for giving me the gift of music and language, without which none of this would be possible.

I wish to thank the following people for their contributions to my musical and personal development, education and other help in creating this book: my parents, for providing their children with a strong sense of our Korean heritage and cultural exposure from a young age; my music teachers, for fostering a love for music that has shaped my life thus far; and my wife and children, who are a constant inspiration to me.

In addition, thank you to Mrs. Choi, for your help in proofreading and translating; Yebin, for your amazing gift of song; Christina and Eric, for believing in me; and Cathy, for your tireless drive for perfection.

Mountain Rabbit
Santokki

Like many traditional songs Mountain Rabbit is testament to the love the Korean people have for their splendid natural heritage, particularly the beautiful mountains that are scattered through the land.

Do the actions!

1. Place both hands on top of the head with index and middle fingers acting as bunny ears.

2. Next, place one hand at the forehead and look far into the distance, scanning left and right.

3. Hop like a bunny, with hands curled in front of the body like paws.

4. Again, place one hand at the forehead and look far into the distance, scanning left and right.

5. Walk, as though climbing a mountain, with one arm circular, as though holding a basket, and stop occasionally to pick up chestnuts and drop them into the basket.

Baby Calf
Songaji

Songs about animals and nature reflect the pride of the Korean people in their countryside. These topics are not reserved only for childrens songseven the Korean national anthem focuses on the beauty of the mountains and the national flower, mugunghwa , the hibiscus. Baby Calf, with its simple lyrics and straightforward melody is a favorite with younger children.

Clap, Clap, Clap!
Jjak jjak ggung

Composer Jung Soon Cheol was born in 1901 and came to be nicknamed Koreas Beethoven. He was also involved in the founding of the Children's Rights Movement Saekdonghwe in March 1923. He was abducted during the Korean War (19501952) and was never seen or heard from again, but his legacy lives on, both in his childrens rights work and in his melodies, including this simple nursery song that Korean parents and grandparents sing to their children from a very young age. Hand clapping is a must!

Splashing Around
Pong dang pong dang

Playfully written, this charming song celebrates the simple joys of being a child. Gestures commonly used while singing the song are throwing rocks into a stream, spreading arms wide, washing herbs, and tickling each others hands.

Do the actions!

1. With the opening line of each verse, mime throwing stones into the stream.

2. Spread out your arms as wide as you can.

3. Mime washing the herbs in the river water.

4. With the last line of the song fi nd a partner and tickle his or her hands!

Butterfly
Nabiya nabiya

Some Korean nursery rhymes are based on Western folk tunes, including this playful, catchy song, whose melody is borrowed from Hnschen klein, the well-known German folk song.

Three Bears Song
Gom semari

The Story of the Three Bears , known today as Goldilocks and the Three Bears , was originally published anonymously by Englishman Robert Southey in 1837. Since then, numerous composers from around the world have written songs based on the story. You can use any simple hand and body motions you like to accompany this songthe only requirement is to have fun!

Tadpole Song
Olchaengi song

This song describes the development of a tadpole into a frog, using fun-to-do actions and simple, short phrases that young children can easily learn.

Do the actions!

1. Put your hands on your hips and wriggle them from side to side.

2. Imagine your legs are the tadpoles hind legs and mime them breaking out of the egg.

3. Imagine your arms are the tadpoles forelegs and mime them breaking out of the egg.