When I Hear Love Calling: Lauren, age 7

I received this song from Lauren in Louisville, KY, and the rhymes made me smile immediately. There are some great slant rhymes (words that sound the same but don't exactly rhyme) in this song: "twister" and "whisper," "Disney" and "fizzy." Fantastic! And the theme is universal--trying to get to know more about someone you have a connection with. Congratulations, Lauren...you wrote a hit song!

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When I Hear Love Calling
by Lauren, age 7

When I hear are love calling I know its coming through, but the one thing I dont know is about you....

Are your eyes blue, is your hair brown, what's your favorite corlor, whats your favorite sound?

Is your music rock, pop.. or hiphop? Is your game sorry or twister. Do you talk loud or wisper?

Is your favorite show hannah montana or suite life, do you have a rude life or a polite life?

Is your favorite food cherries or grapes, do you have a window and drapes?

Do you like Nickeloden or Disney... do you like your drinks flat or fizzy?

Aligator: Ketty, Age 9

Ketty from Brunswick, Maine submitted these fun song lyrics, plus the sheet music for the tune. I love how the music for the alligator moves steadily along, but the hippo moves so slowly...all those long half and whole notes. And then the music gets really fast when she sings "there's a mass of you." If I was about to tell a gigantic hippo I thought he was overweight, I'd sing it fast too...and run!

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Aligator
By Ketty, age 9

Aligator Aligator see me
Aligator Aligator don't eat me
Hippo Hippo eat some grass
Hippo Hippo there's a mass of you

Since My Friend Moved Away by Oksana, age 6

Oksana from Great Falls, Virginia sent in this beautiful and heartbreaking song about a friend who is suddenly gone. I love that there is so much emotion in this song. So many of us have people we love who live far away, and we can *feel* those same emotions through this song. Great work, Oksana! I can't wait to see what you write next...who knows, it could be about a brand *new* friend!

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Since My Friend Moved Away
By Oksana, age 6

I once knew a little girl
Then she moved a wa a ay
She was my very bestist friend
Then I never saw her again
Every night I was sufering
Dreaming of her and me running in the fields
and playing in the flowerrrrrrs

Love of the Land by Joshua, age 8

Joshua from Plymouth, Minnesota sent in this song. I can really imagine this one being belted out "with grace and pride" from the top of a tall mountain somewhere! I especially like the line about "clouds of every shape and size." It's a good reminder of all the diversity and beauty that exist in our world. Thanks for a great song, Joshua!

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Love of the Land
by Joshua, age 8

O the love that we share
with freedom everywhere
under this turquoise blue sky
with clouds of every shape and size
I sing this song of grace and pride-
to the mountains and the rivers
to the valleys and the sky
to the hills far beyond us
and the ocean o so wide.

Don't Need by Katie, age 10

Katie from Sale, in Cheshire, England sent in this song. I think we've all felt this way sometimes...like maybe no-one else out there *gets* us...I know I certainly have. Katie writes: "I'm my own type of person, my own type of girl." Sometimes, you just have to stand up for yourself, which is exactly what this song does. I love the opening line of the chorus: "I don't need no-one to tell me I can't sing." That's right...sing it Katie!

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Don't Need

Oooooo 1…2…3…4…

Verse One:
Help me now,
Tell me a bit about me,
And help me out,
Can’t you see I’m really, really going deep?
There's only one thing I need to say,
So here it is: OK

Chorus:
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

Verse Two:
Things are going on in my mind,
Don’t need to know what’s going on,
Cause’ I feel like I’m being timed,
There's only one thing left to say,
So here it is: OK,

Chorus:
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

Verse Three:
So here I go again on my own,
Don’t need you to call me,
Won’t pick up the phone,
Just tell me I’m special,
Just tell me I’m needed,
Just tell me you all have feelings,
There's only one thing left to say,
So here it is: OK

Chorus (x2):
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t sing,
I don’t need no-one to tell me I can’t do anything,
Cause’ I’m my own type of person,
My own type of girl,
Don’t really wanna be sociable,
But right now I’m gonna switch,
And I’m gonna turn,

The Storm by Sophie, age 6

Here's another song by the very prolific (and colorful) songwriter, Sophie. This one even has instructions for how the guitar and voice should sound. It's a great example of how the music and the words of a song can work together. Low and loud for thunder, high for lightning, and falling when we run. Great work, Sophie!

The Storm

a song for the guitar

by Sophie

[sing and strum low notes:]

The thunder is coming,

the thunder is coming,

Oh, no, what should we do?

I know, hide!

[sing and strum high notes:]

The lightning is coming,

the lightning is coming,

Oh, no, what should we do?

I know, run!

[sing and strum loudly:]

The thunder is coming!

The lightning is coming!

Oh, no what should we do?

I know, just GO!

[finale: slide whole hand along all strings from neck to body of guitar!]

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"Kids Rule" by Kaylin, age 9

This rollicking declaration was sent in by Kaylin from North Brunswick, New Jersey. This song has a lot of spirit and humor, and great rhythm. I love the effect of the whispering. Great work, Kaylin!

Kids Rule

Kids Rule we all know that. It's running thru are veins to are flats. Kids Rule we can stay up all night long. Kids Rule don't sing us a song. Kids Rule don't dinie. Kids are smaller. We are much cooler. We earn money for free. THAT DON'T ENVOL ME. (whisper) Kids Rule, we always will. Kids Rule, don't make a deal. Kids Rule, save your money (stop whispering) CAUSE WE CAN BUY ARE OWN PONY!!! Kids Rule, let's rock this house. Kids Rule let's chase a mouse. Kids Rule let's play some games. Kids Rulllllleeeeeee, your the same.

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