[View Guestbook] [Sign Guestbook]

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Mama Hao



Similar to “Hush Little Baby” in the English-speaking world, this is the lullabye every Chinese child learns, including babies in orphanages. When viewing orphanage footage, I often see and hear a nanny humming this tune to a baby in her arms, or hear the music softly playing in the background.


Mama Hao (Mandarin)

Shi shang zhi you mama hao.
You ma de hai zi xiang ge bao.
Tou jin mama de huai bao
Xin fu xiang bu liao.

Shi shang zhi you mama hao.

Mei ma de hai zi xiang ge cao.
Li kai mama de huai bao
Xin fu na li zhao.



English translation:

Only Mama is the best in all the world.
With a mama, you have the most valued treasure.
Jump into mama’s heart and
You have endless happiness.

Only Mama is the best in all the world.

Without a mama you are like a piece of grass,
Away from mama's heart,
Where will you find happiness?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We've been able to record this treasure and it will become one of the bedtime lullabye songs for Cadence, as we are certain this will be a very familiar tune for her.
It has a very graceful and soothing sound.

Listen for yourself here.

1 Comments:

At 7:25 PM, Blogger Bonnie, Clyde, Bubba Jr. & Charleigh-Jo said...

After reading about the "Mama Hao" song here, I listened to the lyrics and learned the two verses before going to China.

Both our guide in Beijing and our guide in Nanchang knew this little song. I also think it helped our daughter to hear a little soothing song in her own tongue.

Glad you posted this and wanted to let you know it was quite helpful! Even now that we're home if I start singing the song she will interrupt and shout "MAMA HAO!!" loudly and then laugh.

B
http://www.blsthomas.blogspot.com

 

Post a Comment

<< Home