Discover easy nursery rhymes that you can play on the kalimba. Our simple tabs will have you playing some songs in no time.
1. Soft Kitty (kalimba tab)
Soft kitty is a kids song that was popularised by characters sheldon and penny in the american sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Originally known as "warm kitty" the song was written by Edith Newling. Heirs of Edith Newlin's filed a copyright lawsuit in December 2015 against various companies associated with The Big Bang Theory.
The song is featured in Season 1 episode: The Pancake Batter Anomaly, where sheldon is feeling unwell and asks penny to sing him the song that his mother used to sing to him when he was sick as a child. In 1937, the song was published in a book called Songs for The Nursery School and it went on to sell over 10,000 copies. This is probably the easiest song to play on the kalimba, see the tab below.
NOTES & LYRICS:
D B B C A A G A B C D
Soft Kit-ty, warm kit-ty, lit-tle ball of fur
D D B B C C A A G A G
Hap-py kit-ty, slee-py kit-ty, purr purr purr.
2. Frère Jacques (kalimba tab)
Frère Jacques is a very well known kid's French nursery rhyme, it was originally written by Rameau. The English lyrics translate to: Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Brother John, brother john. The morning bells are ringing. The morning bells are ringing. Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
First sung in the late 17th century, there have been many versions of the song throughout history. The first printed version of the melody actually dates back to 1780 and therefore the exact original lyrics aren’t actually known.
However, we do know that the song was extremely popular and has been translated around the world from Afrikaans to Xhosa through Japanese. Although never being a ‘chart song’ it was recorded by The Beatles and has remained an important part of British culture, being sung in primary schools throughout the country.
It’s a fantastic song to start off with for several reasons. Firstly, it’s relatively easy to play. Once you understand the melody, you’ll gain a strong grasp of the song and soon learn the lyrics that accompany the music. It can be taught at all ages and therefore is a great song to teach your children from a very early age. Being extremely versatile, they can also play it on different instruments should they pick up others in the future!
NOTES & LYRICS
C D E C C D E C E F G E F G
Fre-re Jac-ques, Fre-re Jac-ques. Dor-mez vous, dor-mez vous.
G A G F E C G A G F E C
Son-nez les ma-ti-nes, Son-nez les ma-ti-nes
C G C C G C
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong
3. Rain Rain Go Away (kalimba tab)
"Rain Rain Go Away" is a song that was written in 1533 and dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Despite the time it was written, it wasn't commercially released until 1962 by Bobby Vinton. The song tells the story that is set at the carnival in which the weather is sunny at the beginning and towards the end the rain comes.
Since its first release it has been released as a childrens nursery rhyme in 2014. The rain for some people is associated with negativity but hopefully this super easy kalimba tab will cheer you up!
NOTES & LYRICS
G E G G E G G E A G G E
Rain rain go a-way come a-gain a-noth-er day
F F D D F F D G F E D E C C
Lit-tle child-ren want to play. Rain rain go a way.
4. Mary Had a Little Lamb (kalimba tab)
Mary had a little lamb is a common kids’ nursery rhyme by composer Lowell Martin. The song is based on a real-life incident involving Mary Elizabeth Sawyer. Mary was born in 1806 on a farm in Scotland and she had a pet lamb that she absolutely loved. The song is commonly taught very early on in school, being both very relaxing and enjoyable for children to sing along to. The simple melody is very easy to pick up, which makes it one of the best options when it comes to introducing your child to music.
When played on the kalimba, the instrument adds further to the relaxing tune which can be used to help both you and your little ones unwind after a long day. This kalimba tab is suitable for any beginner and one you learn to play the first two lines, it is then repeated. Once you've got used to the changes, you will be able to sing along. Kids love a good nursery rhyme before bed, and when it's played on the kalimba it has a dramatic calming effect.
NOTES & LYRICS
E D C D E E E D D D E E E
Ma-ry had a lit-tle lamb, lit-tle lamb, lit-tle lamb.
E D C D E E E E D D E D C
Ma-ry had a lit-tle lamb, Its fleece was white as snow.
E D C D E E E D D D E E E
Every-where that Ma-ry went, Ma-ry went, Ma-ry went.
E D C D E E E E D D E D C
Every-where that Ma-ry went, the lamb was sure to go.
5. Old MacDonald Had a Farm (kalimba tab)
Old MacDonald had A farm is a popular nursery rhyme and animal song for children. It was recorded in the united states. Its first publication was approximately 1917. It is believed that the song was inspired by an American tune named “Ohio” (Old Macdougal Had a Farm) which was first published in Tommy’s Tune collection. This collection was a WWI era of tunes published in 1917. However, the history of this song dates back even further. In 1908, the song “Workhouse Marylebone” a rest home in London” was discovered in England.
This song was originally sung by an old lady named Mrs. Goodey and was eventually published in Cecil Sharp’s Collection of English Folk Songs. No matter when the original was first discovered, this song is a timeless classic and one that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
NOTES & LYRICS
C C C G A A G E E D DC
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
G C C C G A A G E E D DC
And on his farm, he had some chicks, E-I-E-I-O.
G G C C C G G C C C
With a chick, chick here, and a chick, chick there.
C C C C C C C C C C C C
Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick, chick,
C C C G A A G E E D DC
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
6. Incy Wincy Spider (kalimba tab)
Incy wincy spider is a popular modern nursery rhyme, according to various internet sources it started off as a song for adults that was called Camp and Camino’ with the main words being ‘blooming, bloody instead of ‘Itsy Bitsy’. The song itself was first published in 1920 and variations of the lyrics are still being used today in various regions. The idea of the song is very positive and it aims to inspire children to never give up. For example, when the rain brings you down, keep going because the sun will come out and you can try again. As a kalimba tab, the song works really well because of the instruments lullaby type sound and is sure to help your little one sleep like a baby.
On top of that it is one of the easiest songs to play on the thumb piano and is suitable for any beginner. Teaching your child this song at home will help to reinforce what they’re learning in school and also provide them with a great musical foundation to build upon. Due to the ease of learning the song, your little one can begin learning very early, which may encourage them to pick up additional instruments as they proceed throughout the school curriculum.
NOTES & LYRICS
G C C C D E E. E D C D E C
The Incy wincy spider climbed up the water spout.
E E F G G F E F G E
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out
C C D E E D C D E C
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain.
G G C C C D E E E D C D E C
And the incy wincy spider climbed up the spout again.
7. Here we go round the mulberry bush
Letter notes
F F F A C° C° A F F
F F F A C° C° A F F
G G C C F F
F F F A C° C° A F F
F F F A C° C° C° A F F
F F F A C° C° A F F
G G C C F F
F F F A C° C° A F F
F F F A C° C° A F
F F F A C° C° A F F
G G C C F F
F F F A C° C° A F F F
F F F A C° C° C° A F
F F F A C° C° A F F F
G G C C F F
Number notes
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
5 5 1 1 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 1º 6 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
5 5 1 1 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4
5 5 1 1 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 1º 6 4
4 4 4 6 1º 1º 6 4 4 4
5 5 1 1 4 4
8. The wheels on the bus
G (C°E) C° C° (C°G) E° (G°E) E° (C°G)
(D°F) B G
(G°E) E° (C°G) G (C°E)
C° C° (C°G)
E° (G°E) E° (C°G)
(D°F)
G G (C°E)
9. London Bridge is falling down
G A G F E F G
D E F E F G
G A G F E F G
D G E C
10. Heads, shoulders, knees and toes
C° D° C° B C° A
Head, shoul-ders, knees and toes,
C° C° C°
knees and toes,
C° D° C° B C° A
Head, shoul-ders, knees and toes,
C° C° C°
knees and toes.
A G F A C°
A-and eyes and, ears
F° G° F° E° F° D°
And, mou-outh a -and nose
E° E° C° D° E° F°
Head, shoul-ders, knees and toes,
F F F
knees and toes.
11. Row, row row your boat
C C C D E
Row row row your boat
E D E F G
Gent-ly down the stream;
C° C° C° G G G
Mer-ri-ly, Mer-ri-ly
E E E C C C
Mer-ri-ly, Mer-ri-ly
G F E D C
Life is but a dream!
12. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
E G F A G A B C°
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
E G F A G F E D
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
E E G F F A G A B C°
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
E° E° C° F° F° E° D C° B C°
13. I love you (Barney song)
G E G G E G
A G F E D E F
E F G C C C C C D E F G
G D D F E D C
G E G G E G
A G F E D E F
E F G C C C C C D E F G
14. Bingo was his name-o
There was a farmer who had a dog,
C F F C C D D C
And Bingo was his name-o.
C F F G G A F
B-I-N-G-O
A A B B B
B-I-N-G-O
G G A A A
B-I-N-G-O
F F G G G
And Bingo was his name-o.
F E C D E F F
15. Rock a bye baby
Rock-a-bye, baby,
C E A G F
in the tree top
C C F E
When the wind blows
F D B A
the cradle will rock
G G F D C
When the bough breaks
C E A G
the cradle will fall
F C C F E
Down will come baby,
F D B A F
cradle and all
G D E F
16. The lion sleeps tonight
G A B A, B C° B A G, A B D D D D
G A B A, B C° B A G, A B D D D D
G A B A, B C° B A G, A B A G B A
D° B A B, D° C° B A G, A B A G B A
D D° C° D° C° B D D D D
D D° C° D° C° B D D D D
G A B A, B C° B A G, A B A G B A
D° B A B, D° C° B A G, A B A G B A
D D° C° D° C° B D D D D
D D° C° D° C° B D D D D
D D° C° D° C° B D D B A
17. Hickory dickory dock
E F G F E D E E
E G F D E E
E E G G F F A
G A G F E D C
18. Jack and Jill went up the hill
G G G G C° C° C° C°
D° D° D° D° E° C°
G G G G A A A A
G F E D C C
19. I can sing a rainbow
C D E D C
E G G A F D G E C
D E F G C B° A
G C G F E G E D C
20. Ring-a-ring-a-roses
Ring-a-ring-a-roses
G B B A C B G
A pocket full of posies
G B B A C B G
A tissue, a tissue
B D° G B D° G
We all fall down
B D° D G
The king has sent his daughter
G B B A C B G
To fetch a pail of water
G B B A C B G
A tissue, a tissue
B D° G B D° G
We all fall down
B D° D G
The robin on the steeple
G B B A C B G
Is singing to the people
G B B A C B G
A tissue, a tissue
B D° G B D° G
We all fall down
B D° D G
The wedding bells are ringing
G B B A C B G
The boys and girls are singing
G B B A C B G
A tissue, a tissue
B D° G B D° G
We all fall down
B D° D G
21. If your happy and you know it
C C F F F F F F E F G
C C G G G G G G F G A
A A B B B B D D B B A A A
G F F A A G G G F E E D E F
22. Pop goes the weasel
G C° C° D°
D° E° G° E° C°
G C° C° D°
F° E° C°
G C° C° D°
D° E° G° E° C°
A° D° F° E° C°
G C° C° D°
D° E ° G° E° C°
G C° C° D°
F° E° C°
G C° C° D°
D° E° G° E° C°
G C° C° D°
F° E° C°
G C° C° D°
D° E° G° E° C°
A° D° F° E° C°
23. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
C C G G A A G F F E E D D C
Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.
G F F E E D G G F F E E D
Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.
C C G G A A G F F E E D D C
Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.
24. You are my sunshine
G C D E E E DE C C
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
C D E F A A G F E
You make me happy when skies are grey.
C D E F A A G F E C
You'll never know dear, how much I love you.
C D E F D D E C
Please don't take my sunshine away.
25. Happy Birthday to You
G G A G C B
5 5 6 5 1 7
Hap-py birth-day to you
G G A G D C
5 5 6 5 2 1
hap-py birth-day to you.
G G G E C B A
5 5 5 3 1 7 6
Hap-py birth-day dear (persons name)
F F E C D C
4 4 3 1 2 1
hap-py birth-day to you.
26. This old man
G E G G E G
A G F E D E F
E F G C C D C
C D E F G
G D D F E D C
(C E) G E G (C E) G E G
A G F E D E F
E F (C E) G C C D C
C D E F G
G D D F E D C
(C E) G E G (C E) G E G
(C F) A G F E D E F
E F G C C D C
C D E F G
G D D F E D C
(E) G E G (E) G E G
(F) A G F E D E F
E F G C C D C
C D E F G
G D D F (C) E (C) D C
27. Three blind mice
Three blind mice,
E D C
Three blind mice
E D C
See how they run,
G F F E
See how they run!
G F F E
They all ran after
G C° C° B
The farmer’s wife
A B C°
She cut off their tails
G G G C° C°
With a carving knife
B A B C°
Did you ever see
G G G F
Such a sight in your life
E DC
As three blind mice?
C°
28. I’m A Little Teapot
I’m a little teapot
C D E F G C°
Short and stout
A C° G
Here is my handle
F F F E
Here is my spout
E D D D C
When I get all steamed up
C D E F G C°
Hear me shout
A C° G
“Tip me over and pour me out!”
C° A G G F E D C
I’m a clever teapot,
C D E F G C°
Yes it’s true
A C° G
Here let me show you
F F F E
What I can do
E D D D C
I can change my handle
C D E F G C°
And my spout
A C° G
Just tip me over and pour me out!
C° A G G F E D C
29. The Finger Family Song
Daddy finger, daddy finger, where are you?
C E G G , C E G G , A C° G
Here I am, here I am
C° G G, C° G G
How do you do?
D D E C
Mommy finger, mommy finger, where are you?
C E G G , C E G G , A C° G,
Here I am, here I am
C° G G , C° G G
How do you do?
D D E C
Brother finger, brother finger, where are you?
C E G G , C E G G , A C° G
Here I am, here I am
C° G G, C° G G
How do you do?
D D E C
Sister finger, sister finger, where are you?
C E G G , C E G G , A C° G
Here I am, here I am
C° G G, C° G G
How do you do?
D D E C
Baby finger, baby finger, where are you?
C E G G , C E G G , A C° G
Here I am, here I am
C° G G, C° G G
How do you do?
D D E C
C° B A G F E D C D D E C C°
30. Ten little Indians
C° C° C° C° C° C°
E° G° G° E° C°
D° D° D° D° D° D°
B D° D° B G
C° C° C° C° C° C°
E° G° G° E° C°
G° F° F° E° D° C°
C° C° C° C° C° C°
E° G° G° E° C°
D° D° D° D° D° D°
B D° D° B G
C° C° C° C° C° C°
E° G° G° E° C°
G° F° F° E° D°
C°
31. Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns is a traditional nursery rhyme and song that has been passed down through generations. It is believed to have originated in England in the 18th century, and it is typically associated with the Christian holiday of Good Friday. The song's catchy melody and simple lyrics have made it a favorite among children and adults alike. The lyrics of the song are about a vendor selling hot cross buns on the streets. The song's repetitive melody and playful tone make it fun to sing along to, and it continues to be a beloved children's song all over the world.
E D C E D C
C C C C D D D D E D C
32. The ABC Song
This popular childrens nursery rhyme teaches the alphabet in a fun and engaging way. The song helps young children learn the letters of the alphabet by singing them in sequence to a catchy melody. It serves as a foundational tool for early childhood education, aiding in language development and pre-literacy skills. The song's repetitive structure and lively tune make learning the alphabet enjoyable and memorable for young learners.
C C G G A A G
F F E E D D D D C
G G F E E D
G G G F E E D
C C G G A A G
F F E E D D C
33. Blippi - The Excavator Song
The Excavator Song is a fun and educational children's song performed by Blippi, a popular children's entertainer known for his educational videos. In the song, Blippi sings about the various parts and functions of an excavator, a type of heavy construction machinery used for digging and moving materials.
The lyrics describe how the excavator's bucket scoops up dirt and rocks, its tracks help it move around, and its arm and boom can reach high and low. The song is accompanied by colorful visuals and catchy music, making it engaging for young viewers while teaching them about construction equipment.
D D D A E F#
D D D A E D
D D D A E F#
E E E E A E D
D E F# F# F#
D E F# F# F# B
E E E F# B
E E E D E F# F# F# G F#
E E E E A E D
D E F# F# F#
34. Five Little Ducks
Five Little Ducks is a popular children's song that tells the story of five ducklings who venture away from their mother. As they explore the world, each duckling gradually disappears or gets lost, leaving the mother duck searching for them. The song follows a repetitive structure, with each verse counting down the remaining ducklings until they are all reunited with their mother. It's a playful and educational tune aimed at teaching young children about numbers, subtraction, and the importance of staying close to family.
C° C° C° C° E° G° E° C°
D° D° D° D° C° B C° D°
C° C° C° C° E° G° G° G°
C° D° D° E° D° C° C° C°
35. Blow the Man Down
Blow the Man Down is a classic sea shanty where a sailor from Hong Kong, beckons young sailors to listen to his tales of life at sea. In exchange for a drink, he offers to share his experiences aboard ships like the Black Ball, showcasing the varied backgrounds of sailors and the rugged life they lead. The song highlights Jack Williams as the commanding figure and advises against challenging the authority of seasoned sailors.
(G’ G) G’ G’ A’ G’ E’ C’ E’
G’ A’ G’ E’ (G’ C’) A’
F’ E’ F’ D’ F’ F’ G’ F’ D’ B D’
F’ G’ F’ D’ (G’ G) (G’ G)
(G’ G) (G’ G) (G’ G)
F’ E’ D’ E’ C’ G
(C E G) (C A) G E C E
(C G) (E A) G E
(C E G) (C A) F E F D F’
(F F’) G’ F’ D’ B D’
F’ G’ F’ D’
(G’ G) (G’ G) (G’ G) (G’ G) (G’ G)
F’ E’ D’ E’ C’ C’ E’ D’ E’ C’
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1 comment
Janet Hales
Thank you for the helpful kalimba tabs.