On this page, I’m sharing a few public domain songs from different traditions and/or in different languages that I have compiled over the years in case they can be of use to other singers. I’ll update this page periodically. These songs aren’t in my native language, so if you see any errors, I’d be really pleased to hear from you correcting me! singlouderthanguns@gmail.com.
Links to a few other helpful online international song resources can be found here.
International songsheets connected with online workshops can be found on this page.
Winter Songs
Global Tunes
Archiminiá ki Archichroniá
Greek New Year song. Lyric Sheet.
Bambelela
South African song written and shared by the JL Zwane Memorial Church in Cape Town during the HIV/Aids epidemic. You can find much more info about the song here: Bambelela Info Sheet
El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido
Chilean song written by Sergio Ortega (with Quilapayún) in 1973 that has become an international anthem for left wing hopes and action for change. “The people united will never be defeated.” Lyrics. Score (Melody). Score (SATB).
El Derecho De Vivir En Paz
Song of peace and solidarity by Victor Jara, taught by Eileen Karmy and Martín Farías. Lyrics.
Laylet 3eed
Arabic version of Jingle Bells, meaning ‘Christmas Eve’, as sung by Fairuz. Chorus only (which means it’s very singable for non-Arabic speakers!). Lyric Sheet.
Bella Ciao
Italian Rice Weeders and Partisan song that has become a solidarity anthem around the world with many different lyrics. Learn and sing along here in English, Italian, Arabic. Also learn 3 part harmony version. Multilingual songsheet (PDF). Italian Partisan lyrics (PDF)
Nu Ar Det Jul Igen
You can find a score of the tune (played on a Nickelharper) here.
Sankta Lucia
A Swedish pre-christmas celebration on December 13th. Lyrics and translation.
Silent Night
This songsheet has the lyrics to Silent Night in 32 different languages.
Twelve Days of Yuletide
Scots words to the traditional ’12 Days of Christmas’ written by Sheena Blackhall.
Üsküdara Gider Iken
Here is a video session I put together travelling through different versions of what I think of as ‘everyone’s tune’ and is often known by it’s Turkish names – Üsküdara Gider Iken or Katibim.
You can download a pdf document with all the titles of songs and performers and where they come from (and lots of lyrics) as well as a score, here: Notes; Tune score; Simple arrangement
We Shall Overcome
You can find more information about the history of this song here.
Lyrics (Arabic, Hindi and English)
You can find an arrangement of the song here.
Pūt Vējiņi
This Latvian folk song became one of most well sung anthems for Latvian freedom and independence during the ‘Singing Revolution’ that happened in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania between 1987-91. It snuck in surreptitiously underneath the Soviet authorities’ noses when other songs were banned because it’s ostensibly just a drinking song, but represented self determination for the thousands who sang it. It is still sung today by stadiums full at the Latvian song festival (Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki) that happens every five years. Score. You can find the spoken pronunciation here.
Links to Other Online Resources
Mama Lisa – Children’s Songs from around the world
Penny Stone 