Looking for timeless tunes to share with your little one? From well-known kids’ folk songs like “Pop Goes the Weasel” to enchanting African lullabies and nursery rhymes, these 15 beloved classics will spark joy and creativity in every child. Get ready to sing, dance, and create lasting memories with these unforgettable tracks. Find the full playlist here and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Get to know a quirky old lady who swallows a heap of animals—from a dog, cat, bird and spider to that infamous little fly. The classic children’s song was written by Alan Mills, an influential folksinger and prolific recording artist who popularized a wide repertoire of Canadian folk songs. With the book and album, discover 11 more singalong alphabet, counting and rhyming songs that are as jaw-droppingly silly as they are devourable. See more.
Also known as “The Saints,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” is a traditional black spiritual most famously recorded by Louis Armstrong. In the musical picture book, Glory Days in New Orleans, Mama and Papa Poss are sailing down the Mississippi River when a sudden hurricane tosses a passenger overboard. Papa Poss jumps to the rescue, pulling none other than Louis Catstrong out of the crashing waves. In thanks, the famous feline trumpet player takes the duo to his club in the French Quarter, where a group of cool cats are scratching up a new kind of music. See more.
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” takes its lyrics from an early 19th century English poem “The Star,” by Jane Taylor, who collaborated with her sister, Ann, on a collection entitled Rhymes for the Nursery (1806). The version performed by Sin and Swoon in the musical picture book Sing Out! Six Classic Folk Songs for Tomorrow contains the poem’s five original stanzas. See more.
Sound familiar? “Mbube” was popularized in North America as “Wimoweh” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” thanks to Disney's The Lion King and covers by the Weavers, Pete Seeger, Yma Sumac and others. The song was first written in Zulu in the 1940s by the South African musician Solomon Linda, who led the a capella band The Evening Birds. See more.
The origins of the counting and rhyming song “This Old Man” are somewhat mysterious, dating back to the late 19th century or earlier. Over the years, the popular kids' folk song has been performed by iconic artists like Pete Seeger, Ritchie Valens, and The Snowmen. In the 1990s, Barney reintroduced the melody to a new generation with new lyrics for the Barney and Friends theme song, “I Love You.” See more.
“Day-O!” originated as a Jamaican mento call-and-response song, sung by dock workers as they loaded banana crates onto ships early in the morning. This traditional tune gained widespread recognition in North America when Harry Belafonte popularized it as “The Banana Boat Song,” and later through its appearance in the film Beetlejuice. See more.
”Pop Goes the Weasel” is a widely loved rhyming song with a catchy tune that originated as dance music in the 1850s, with lyrics added later. But what does “pop goes the weasel” really mean? Some say it refers to a pawnshop transaction, while others think it points to a tailor’s flatiron or a weaving tool called a counting shuttle. This fun, whimsical kids folk song continues to entertain children to this day. See more.
“Rain, Rain (Go Away)” is a beloved kids' folk song with a history dating back to 17th century England. While there are numerous variations of the nursery rhyme’s lyrics, one thing they all have in common is a desire to ward off bad weather. See more.
Attributed to Jean-Philippe Rameau, this French nursery rhyme found its way into more than a hundred languages, including Malagasy, Réunion Créole, Xhosa, and Mare Comorian, by way of French colonization in South and East Africa. Songs on the Vanilla Trail presents four lyrical versions of the song for comparison from Madagascar, Réunion, South Africa, and Mayotte, respectively. See more.
Originally a Welsh lullaby titled “Ar Hyd y Nos,” the song now known in English as “All Through the Night” was first documented in Edward Jones' 1784 collection, Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards. The comforting melody has since become one of the most famous lullabies of all time. See more.
“She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” is a classic kids' folk song that traces its roots to the late 1800s. Originally derived from the spiritual “When the Chariot Comes,” which referenced the second coming of Jesus Christ and the rapture, the song later evolved with new lyrics. Its modern version is believed to have been popularized by railroad workers in the Midwest during the 1890s. The first published version appeared in Carl Sandburg’s The American Songbag, and over the years, it has been recorded by legendary artists like Bing Crosby, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. See more.
“Jambo Bwana” was written by Kenyan musician Teddy Kalanda Harrison as a fun way to teach tourists a few words of Swahili. Here it's performed by Kamay Pelasimba. With its happy melody and memorable lyrics, the song rivals the national anthem for popularity in Kenya. The song is also enjoyed by those who recognize the phrase, “hakuna matata,” from Disney’s The Lion King. See more.
First recorded in the 1860s, “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” is an African-American spiritual that originated among the Gullah people, formerly enslaved residents of Georgia’s Sea Islands. The song has since been reproduced in many variations, appearing under the titles “Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore” and “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore” among others. Popular covers of the song have been performed by Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger and the U.S. folk band The Highwaymen. See more.
Also known as “Bingo Was His Name-O,” and “There Was a Farmer Had a Dog,” this children’s folk song tells the tale of a farmer’s dog named Bingo. In addition to spelling, this tune invites gameplay in various ways, whether clapping, barking, or simply dropping letters of the name as the song progresses. Unlike popular versions, which spell and repeat the letters, B-I-N-G-O, this rendition by Sin and Swoon sings the name out like a cheer: “B with I, I with an N, N with a G, and G with an O.” See more.
“Possum Anthem” may not technically be in the ranks of classic kids' folk songs just yet, but we think it’s a strong contender to join them. This catchy tune, written to accompany all six stories in the We’re a Possum Family Band series, is a short and sweet ode to the possum, a nocturnal marsupial known for fainting and playing dead to evade danger. See more.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.
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15 Classic Kids Songs: Timeless Tunes Every Child Should Know
Looking for timeless tunes to share with your little one? From well-known kids’ folk songs like “Pop Goes the Weasel” to enchanting African lullabies and nursery rhymes, these 15 beloved classics will spark joy and creativity in every child. Get ready to sing, dance, and create lasting memories with these unforgettable tracks. Find the full playlist here and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Get to know a quirky old lady who swallows a heap of animals—from a dog, cat, bird and spider to that infamous little fly. The classic children’s song was written by Alan Mills, an influential folksinger and prolific recording artist who popularized a wide repertoire of Canadian folk songs. With the book and album, discover 11 more singalong alphabet, counting and rhyming songs that are as jaw-droppingly silly as they are devourable. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Oh, When the Saints (Go Marching In)
Also known as “The Saints,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” is a traditional black spiritual most famously recorded by Louis Armstrong. In the musical picture book, Glory Days in New Orleans, Mama and Papa Poss are sailing down the Mississippi River when a sudden hurricane tosses a passenger overboard. Papa Poss jumps to the rescue, pulling none other than Louis Catstrong out of the crashing waves. In thanks, the famous feline trumpet player takes the duo to his club in the French Quarter, where a group of cool cats are scratching up a new kind of music. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” takes its lyrics from an early 19th century English poem “The Star,” by Jane Taylor, who collaborated with her sister, Ann, on a collection entitled Rhymes for the Nursery (1806). The version performed by Sin and Swoon in the musical picture book Sing Out! Six Classic Folk Songs for Tomorrow contains the poem’s five original stanzas. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
Sound familiar? “Mbube” was popularized in North America as “Wimoweh” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” thanks to Disney's The Lion King and covers by the Weavers, Pete Seeger, Yma Sumac and others. The song was first written in Zulu in the 1940s by the South African musician Solomon Linda, who led the a capella band The Evening Birds. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
This Old Man
The origins of the counting and rhyming song “This Old Man” are somewhat mysterious, dating back to the late 19th century or earlier. Over the years, the popular kids' folk song has been performed by iconic artists like Pete Seeger, Ritchie Valens, and The Snowmen. In the 1990s, Barney reintroduced the melody to a new generation with new lyrics for the Barney and Friends theme song, “I Love You.” See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)
“Day-O!” originated as a Jamaican mento call-and-response song, sung by dock workers as they loaded banana crates onto ships early in the morning. This traditional tune gained widespread recognition in North America when Harry Belafonte popularized it as “The Banana Boat Song,” and later through its appearance in the film Beetlejuice. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Pop Goes the Weasel
”Pop Goes the Weasel” is a widely loved rhyming song with a catchy tune that originated as dance music in the 1850s, with lyrics added later. But what does “pop goes the weasel” really mean? Some say it refers to a pawnshop transaction, while others think it points to a tailor’s flatiron or a weaving tool called a counting shuttle. This fun, whimsical kids folk song continues to entertain children to this day. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Rain, Rain (Go Away)
“Rain, Rain (Go Away)” is a beloved kids' folk song with a history dating back to 17th century England. While there are numerous variations of the nursery rhyme’s lyrics, one thing they all have in common is a desire to ward off bad weather. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Frere Jacques
Attributed to Jean-Philippe Rameau, this French nursery rhyme found its way into more than a hundred languages, including Malagasy, Réunion Créole, Xhosa, and Mare Comorian, by way of French colonization in South and East Africa. Songs on the Vanilla Trail presents four lyrical versions of the song for comparison from Madagascar, Réunion, South Africa, and Mayotte, respectively. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
All Through the Night
Originally a Welsh lullaby titled “Ar Hyd y Nos,” the song now known in English as “All Through the Night” was first documented in Edward Jones' 1784 collection, Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards. The comforting melody has since become one of the most famous lullabies of all time. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain
“She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” is a classic kids' folk song that traces its roots to the late 1800s. Originally derived from the spiritual “When the Chariot Comes,” which referenced the second coming of Jesus Christ and the rapture, the song later evolved with new lyrics. Its modern version is believed to have been popularized by railroad workers in the Midwest during the 1890s. The first published version appeared in Carl Sandburg’s The American Songbag, and over the years, it has been recorded by legendary artists like Bing Crosby, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Jambo Bwana
“Jambo Bwana” was written by Kenyan musician Teddy Kalanda Harrison as a fun way to teach tourists a few words of Swahili. Here it's performed by Kamay Pelasimba. With its happy melody and memorable lyrics, the song rivals the national anthem for popularity in Kenya. The song is also enjoyed by those who recognize the phrase, “hakuna matata,” from Disney’s The Lion King. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
First recorded in the 1860s, “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” is an African-American spiritual that originated among the Gullah people, formerly enslaved residents of Georgia’s Sea Islands. The song has since been reproduced in many variations, appearing under the titles “Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore” and “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore” among others. Popular covers of the song have been performed by Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger and the U.S. folk band The Highwaymen. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Little Bingo
Also known as “Bingo Was His Name-O,” and “There Was a Farmer Had a Dog,” this children’s folk song tells the tale of a farmer’s dog named Bingo. In addition to spelling, this tune invites gameplay in various ways, whether clapping, barking, or simply dropping letters of the name as the song progresses. Unlike popular versions, which spell and repeat the letters, B-I-N-G-O, this rendition by Sin and Swoon sings the name out like a cheer: “B with I, I with an N, N with a G, and G with an O.” See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Possum Anthem
“Possum Anthem” may not technically be in the ranks of classic kids' folk songs just yet, but we think it’s a strong contender to join them. This catchy tune, written to accompany all six stories in the We’re a Possum Family Band series, is a short and sweet ode to the possum, a nocturnal marsupial known for fainting and playing dead to evade danger. See more.
Buy the book on Bookshop, Amazon + more.
Listen to the album on Apple Music + more.
Listen on Spotify: Classic Kids Songs Playlist
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.