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
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
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.
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.
Other Online Resources
Mama Lisa – Children’s Songs from around the world
Penny Stone 