Category Archives: Inspirational Music

Sing A Song About MLK Day – DARIA’s Resources Free Until 1/31

MLK Mini-poster

Many years ago, I wrote a little song about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. I had always been a big fan of MLK’s speeches and writing and I wanted to create an easy-to-sing song that would take these big ideas and make them “singable” for kids. Little did I know that the songs would soon become of the most popular classrooms songs for sharing the life and legacy of MLK across the country.

If you haven’t heard the song already, you can see the Youtube video, here:

Get All Of My MLK-Resources Free!

In honor of the MLK Day of Service 2017, I’ve decided to give away not only the song, but the entire “I Have A Dream” cd, the sheet music and all of my MLK posters, mini-posters, etc. until the end of this month.  Please feel free to stop by and download any of these resources here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/World-Music-With-Daria/Category/MLK-Day-225636

What will you be doing on MLK Day 2017? Whatever it is, take a moment to recall this great leader who changed the face of our nation through compassion, real moral strength and love.

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Sing A Song For MLK Day

MLK mini poster coloring pageAlong with raising a creative and intelligent child, you’ve probably also been thinking about how to encourage your child to be kind, empathetic and caring. With MLK day approaching quickly, here’s a song that you can use to gently teach about the life and legacy of a man that overcame evil with good and dedicated his life to service to others and a quest for equality.

The “I Have a Dream” song came out in 2006 and has been used extensively in classrooms, homeschool settings and special presentations all across the USA. The lyrics are simple and very singable, making this a great song for even the youngest listener.

HAVE A DREAM

(Words and music by Daria A. Marmaluk-Hajioannou)

There’s a man I think you’ve heard of
His name is Martin Luther King
He wanted a world of peace and love
He said “I have a dream”

Chorus:
I have a dream
I have a dream
I’ve been to the mountaintop and I’ve seen…
I have a dream

He said “ I know that this is possible
I know that this can be
If each one can learn to live with love
Then we can all be free”

If you share this vision
You know it’s not a difficult thing
We can build a world of peace and love
And we can all be queens and “kings”.

The “I Have A Dream” Animation

What’s the song sound like? Here’s the popular Youtube animation:

The “I Have A Dream” Song Is Free Here:

During the month of January 2015, all DARIA’s resources for MLK Day have been marked down to “free” other TeachersPayTeachers site. Links to these January freebies are below. if you download, would you kindly consider “following” DARIA’s TPT store? Thanks!

Free Resource – Direct Links

Song For MLK Day – “I Have A Dream”
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Song-For-MLK-Day-I-Have-A-Dream-475185

“MLK Rainbow” Coloring Page for Younger Children
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MLK-Rainbow-Coloring-Page-for-Younger-Children-475121

MLK “Rainbow And Popular Quotes” Coloring Page for Older Children
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MLK-Rainbow-And-Popular-Quotes-Coloring-Page-for-Older-Children-475123

MLK Day Mini-Poster – “Everyone Can Be Great Because Everyone Can Serve”
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MLK-Day-Mini-Poster-Everyone-Can-Be-Great-Because-Everyone-Can-Serve-1616862

I Have A Dream – Sheet Music For The MLK Day Song
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Have-A-Dream-Sheet-Music-For-The-MLK-Day-Song-499427

Sing A Song For Earth Day!

whole world hands

Over a decade ago I wrote a song for Earth Day that has made it literally around the world.  Since it was recorded, it’s been used in programs and presentations in Taiwan, China, Singapore, Japan, Scotland, South America and across the entire United States, too!  It’s just a fact that honoring the Earth is a concept shared by everyone, everywhere, all around the globe!

“We’ve Got the Whole World In Our Hands” had very humble beginnings.  I was working with a group of elementary school students on an Earth Day project and they were excited about the many ways they could make a difference for the Earth.   To share what they learned, we decided to write a song to a melody that everyone recognized.  We chose the beautiful spiritual song  “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” and changed the lyrics slightly to reflect the idea of being a good steward of the Earth.

earth day handsNext, we added the children’s ideas to the song.  Naturally, the first suggestion had to do with the three “R”s – reduce, reuse and recycle.  Then the kids got really creative.  They offered dozens of suggestions that encompassed not only being green and living simpler, but also being kind to everyone and everything around them.  It was truly inspiring to see their vision of a planet filled with peace, harmony and more thoughtful life choices!

The original song has over 10 verses filled with great ideas about caring for the Earth.  When we recorded the song, we had to limit it to 4, so the song would not be too long.  Here’s the words to our final version:

Chorus:      We’ve got the whole world, in our hands
                     We’ve got the whole world, in our hands
                     We’ve got the whole world in our hands
                     We’ve got the whole world in our hands

We should recycle now – all that we can
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – all that we can
We should recycle now – all that we can
We’ve got the whole world in our hands

Be kind to the plants and animals – of our land
Be kind to the plants and animals – of our land
Be kind to the plants and animals – of our land
We’ve got the whole world in our hands

Join hands with sisters and brothers – throughout the land
Join hands with sisters and brothers – throughout the land
Join hands with sisters and brothers – throughout the land
We’ve got the whole world in our hands

Dream your bright dream – then do all that you can
Dream your bright dream – then do all that you can
Dream your bright dream – then do all that you can
We’ve got the whole world in our hands

Here’s the video!

Lyrics and songsheet here:

http://www.dariamusic.com/wholeworld.php

An Earth Day Song Challenge!

Stay tuned.  Next week we’ll be asking you to write your own version of this song.  Cool prizes and more details to follow!

 

Introducing MLK’s message to Young Children – Through Music!

It’s never too early to share important and powerful messages with young children.

This is especially true when choosing books, music and other positive and kid-friendly media that become part of your children’s lives.  In fact, this was exactly the reason I wrote a children’s song based on MLK’s “I Have A Dream” speech made during the March On Washington, whose 50th anniversary is today!

Although most people recall mainly the “I Have A Dream” section, the entire speech is worth reading or hearing.  And MLK’s messages are easy for kids to grasp and live out.  What child does not want to be included and treated fairly?  Every child appreciates an environment that is fair, balanced and gives everyone a chance.   Big concepts such as respect, equality and dignity aren’t lost on little ears.

In honor of the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, I’m offering free downloads of this song on my website (link below).  I’m also encouraging parents to seek out and include books, music and other media in their child’s life that show inspirational leaders, such as MLK.  Find ways to help your children “meet” spiritual and inspirational leaders and their lives will surely reflect these positive ideas and worthy goals.

Remember, no child is too small to make a difference.

“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.”

-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

———

Watch an animation of the I HAVE A DREAM children’s song here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBQ36WnekVM&w=500&h=281]

Links:

Free Download of the I Have A Dream Song

http://www.dariamusic.com/monthly_song.php

Free MLK Coloring Page For Young Children

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MLK-Rainbow-Coloring-Page-for-Younger-Children-475121

Free MLK Coloring Page For Older Children (With Many MLK Quotes)
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MLK-Rainbow-And-Popular-Quotes-Coloring-Page-for-Older-Children-475123