FREE music for the Music Maker lap harp
Regularly, you can download a free piece of music for your personal enjoyment.
INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the button to download the image to your computer. Cut on the dotted lines. Legal-sized paper works best, but regular paper usually works fine. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday was under copyright protection for a long time, and we respected that. The song has since come into public domain, and we are please to be able to offer it to you because the Music Maker is often given as a birthday present. Written by two sisters (Patty and Mildred J. Hill) in 1893, it is the most recognized song in the English language according to the Guinness Book of World Record
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
“Ode to Joy” is an Ode, written in 1785 by a German poet. The composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, was deeply moved by the poem and injected its emotional quality into the final movement of his famous Ninth Symphony.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
An Anglican hymn that is also sung in many Christian churches. The lyrics were written by Cecil Frances Alexander for her “Hymns for Little Children.” The melody originates from an English country tune of the 1600s.
Baby's Bed a Silver Moon
Written by Alice Riley in 1898 for her own children. This lullaby is also known as the “American Cradle Song.” (From the Lullabies song packet.)
If With All Your Hearts
A beautiful church hymn featuring the music of Felix Mendelssohn and lyrics of Julius Schubring.
Amazing Grace
Written in 1779 by English poet and minister John Newton, Amazing Grace, comes from personal experience. Newton was impressed into service in the Royal Navy and almost perished during a terrible storm. Amazing Grace is the result of that experience, an event that changed Newton’s life.
Just as I Am
During a night in 1835, Charlotte Elliott found it difficult to sleep. She was involved with a charitable bazaar and was torn by what she felt was her personal uselessness. Greatly troubled, she struggled through the following day, and put her thoughts and feelings down on paper; finally realizing that she was acceptable…just as she was. The song has since become a beloved Christian hymn.
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Like Ode to Joy, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas originated as a poem…this one written by Emily Huntington Miller in 1865. The words were then put to music, though exactly who did this is not agreed upon. (From the Christmas #2 song packet.)
Joy in my Heart
This song was written by George William Cooke, who was born in England, and was a minister in the Anglican church. He subsequently moved to the United States and copyrighted Joy In My Heart in 1925.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
This popular children’s nursery rhyme has been transcribed for use with the Music Maker by Linda Peeleman, to whom we are indebted. There is no known origin for the nursery rhyme, which has quickly a favorite of children.
Shoo, Fly!
Shoo Fly has been a popular children’s song since it was first published in 1869, and was even sung by American soldiers during the Spanish-American war (because there were so many flies and mosquitos present where they fought). It is not know for sure who wrote the song, but it has been ascribed to T. Brigham Bishop. (From the More Fun Songs #2 packet.)
I Ride an Old Paint
Considered one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time, “I Ride an Old Paint” was written in 1927 by Carl Sandburg. The song reflects the spirit of the American West and has become a classic cowboy song. (From the Country/Western song packet.)
Corre, Nino
Please excuse the program’s inability to add a proper accent mark to niño in headline form. We have searched, but have failed to find any historic information about this song, which is sung throughout Latin America.
There's a Hole in the Bucket
A humorous children’s song involving two people. Henry has a leaky bucket, which Liza instructs him to fix. To fix the leak, he needs straw. But to cut the straw, he needs an axe. This series continues until Henry declares he needs water, which means he requires a bucket…but the one he has, leaks…
This Little Light of Mine
A gospel song specifically written for children in the 1920s. The song has always been popular, and was adapted for use during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
The Little Fir Tree
The people who work in the workshop in Belarus, where the Music Maker is made were kind enough to shared with us one of their favorite songs of childhood.
For All the Saints
“For All the Saints” was written as a processional hymn by the Anglican bishop of Wakefield, William Walsham How. It is today known to be an especially beautiful hymn.
The Man on the Flying Trapeze
A popular 19th century song (first published in 1867) about the daring exploits of a trapeze performer.
