Tag Archives: mothers day songs

A Song For Mothers From South Africa!

HERE COME OUR MOTHERS

Mother’s Day in the USA is fast approaching, but you probably already guessed that mothers, moms and mums as well as grandmoms are celebrated all over the globe.  In South Africa, Mother’s Day is celebrated the 2nd Sunday in May and children honor their mothers with gifts, flowers and sweet gestures such as breakfast in bed or taking mom out to dinner.

Songs for moms can be found all over the world and this is one of our favorites. It’s not a traditional Mother’s Day song but it talks about the special bond between a mother and her child.  Here’s the story behind the song.

Here Come Our Mother’s Bringing Us Presents

In some of the small villages in South Africa where Zulu is spoken, moms often have their own garden or small farm. They work very hard growing good things for their family to eat. At harvest time, they collect what they’ve grown and stock it away for the year. But there’s always a bit left over. So they take their produce to market and sell it.  And then they buy whatever else they need.  But there’s always a bit left over.  With that little bit of extra money, the mother’s think about what their children might love to have from town… a delicious fruit, a special sweet or something else that will delight their child.

On that day, the children are always very good. They do their chores without being told. Perhaps they sweep up their yards or help out someone who lives nearby. They make sure they don’t squabble with their siblings. Then, when the kids finally see their moms coming toward home, they begin to sing this song, imagining what their mother’s might have brought for them.

It’s Interactive!

Like so many wonderful folksongs, this song is great for “remaking” with your family or classroom.  You can sing the song in exactly the same way,  but the items in the verses can change. Instead of apples and bananas, perhaps you’ll see blueberries and cherries. Instead of cookies and sweet things, you might find marshmallows, granola bars or maybe even chocolate chip cookies!

Feel free to play with the song and make it your own!  And a very happy Mothers Day to all!

Links and Resources

Screen shot 2016-05-05 at 11.22.41 AMFree Lyric Sheet – Here’s Come Our Mothers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-SONG-FOR-MOTHERS-DAY-Here-Come-Our-Mothers-501097

Here’s Come Our Mothers From Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-have-a-dream/id49532398

Here’s Come Our Mothers From Amazon mp3 https://amzn.com/B0013PLG40

Color the Mothers –  2 Free Coloring Pages From Video https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Coloring-Page-Traditional-Moms-From-South-Africa-2540830

A Mother’s Day Song in Spanish – http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/a-mothers-day-song-in-spanish/

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A Song About Mothers from South Africa

HERE COME OUR MOTHERS - coloring page

A while back I recorded a folksong that I learned from Ladysmith Black Mambazo – the amazing vocal group from South Africa.  “Here Come Our Mothers, Bringing Us Presents” is a beautiful mixture of  English and Zulu lyrics and tells the story of a group of mothers returning home to their children. Although it’s not a traditional “Mother’s Day” song, it has been used in many multicultural celebrations of moms around the globe.

Here’s the video with a big shout out to Philadelphia-based artist (and mom), Brittney Knox who created both the artwork and animation here.

The Story Behind The Song 

In one small village in South Africa, the women worked very hard all year long to grow wonderful things in their gardens.  When the harvest was done and the crops were stored, they had some extra that they took to town to sell.

After they sold what was extra from their bountiful harvest, they bought the supplies they needed and had a little money left over.  With that money, they purchased treats and special things to bring home to their children.

On that day – at home – the children were busy being very good.  Perhaps they were sweeping the yard, or cleaning up.  They were taking good care of their siblings and not fighting with them – not one bit!   And since they waited all day for their mothers to return, they were very excited when they saw them returning to the village.

The song:  “Here Come Our Mothers, Bringing Us Presents” is what the children would sing as they imagined what was inside the baskets and bundles coming home as treats.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate their mother’s return.

Although most moms get presents on Mother’s Day and the moms in this folk tune bring the presents, the concept behind the song is universal.  Mothers have a special place in their children’s hearts – both when they are young and forever!

Here Come Our Mother’s Free Coloring Page: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Coloring-Page-Traditional-Moms-From-South-Africa-2540830