Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Turning the World Around

Last night was a rough one.  Therefore today was a rough one.  The babe was up half way through the night and then she went back to sleep.  Then her brother woke up, and didn't go back to sleep.  I was in and out of his bedroom constantly for half the night and couldn't sort out what his problem was.

He didn't have a fever.  He didn't have a nasty diaper.  I gave him water, so he wasn't thirsty.  He didn't have a hair stuck around his toes.  Ultimately, I think it was his tummy.  He let out a few farts but I think there was a lot more stuck in there.  I felt bad for him but he wouldn't let me comfort him.  But he also didn't want me to leave his room.  I finally fell back to sleep in my own bed at 6:00 am.  It was like having a newborn.

Needless to say, we didn't quite make it to music class this morning.  I just didn't have it in me.  Instead we picked up a mocha, a few groceries, and chilled out at home until it was time for an early nap.  The thing that made everything all right was listening to Raffi.

Have you heard of him?  If you're Canadian, you probably grew up with his music.  If you're from somewhere else and have not heard him, I encourage you to check his children's music out.  He has great lyrics, wonderful messages, and music which can be both calming and upbeat. 

Check out the lyrics to Turn This World Around (2000, Homeland Publishing).  You'll see what I mean:

"We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around

For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.

The dreams of our young ones born into this world
Need respect and love to come alive.
Honouring the children is what we’re here to do
Now is the hour and we’ve got the power to

Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.

If every nation’s leaders put their children first
Care and provide for every child
Each and every household could sing a song of joy
All round this planet, a new light within it could

Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.

And the children sing: help our light to shine
May we all be fed, may we all be loved.
May the elders here open up their hearts
To this song of ours, may they do their part.

May our dreams unfold, may we find our place
In a healthy world, embracing every race
May we all be free, may we live in peace –
Hear the children sing, hear us sing.

Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children

Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.

We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.

Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around …
For the children, turn this world around –
For the children, turn this world around."

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