I wrote this song at a seminar for children's songwriting, led by Kath Bee, a New Zealand children's singer/songwriter. It came to me fully formed, which hardly ever happens. It is a song to help children focus on the good things in their lives, at a time when there is much anxiety in the world. This song is for my brand new nephew, Maximilian, born 19 May 2021. I hope his life is filled with his favourite things.

What's your favourite thing?

A fun song about animals on the farm and what noises they would make if they were to laugh. This song is dedicated to my honorary granddaughter Te Enua Puāwai Ataera. Welcome to the world Enua. I hope there are lots of fun animals in your life.

Laughing Animals

I wrote this song for my Mum's dear friend Barbara, who was Scottish, and we used to have a good laugh at her pronouncing 'Highland cow' as 'Hieland coo'. Then I added a whole lot more animals to the song and then naturally came all the animal sounds as well to make a cacophony of animals.

A Hieland Coo said Moo

I wrote this song following the 51 day assault on Gaza. The song is a response to Israeli State policies towards Palestinians. 

Special thanks goes to Liesel Mitchell for her awesome harmonies, and to Fiona Jackson and Coral Bramley for their suggestions to improve the song. Thanks also to my long-suffering husband who listened through hours of writing and recording. 

This song is for Rula and Tariq, and for their family in Palestine, and for all those living in Palestine under this oppressive regime. Although New Zealand is a very long way away from Paletsine, you are in our thoughts. You are not forgotten. 

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
You shut them behind a wall
That's forty foot tall
And then you have the gall
To expect them to not fight back at all

Verse 2: 
And what gives you the right
To shut them out of sight
Your military might
It even lights their skies at night.

Chorus:
So I say no, I say enough
I shout it as loud as I can
I cry no, I've had enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough.

Verse 3:
We've known it all along
That Israel's army is strong
But to use that power is wrong
Bombing a prison twenty miles long.

Verse 4:
Now thousands more have died
In a prison seven miles wide
But Israel you can't hide
We charge you with genocide

Chorus:
And we say no, we say enough
We shout it as loud as we can
We cry no, we've had enough
"Cause enough is enough is enough.

And we say hey, it's not OK
Today or any day
It wasn't OK in World War Two
And it's not alright today.

Verse 5:
Well none escaped your reach
Not even children on the beach
But history will teach
The human rights you breached

Verse 6:
And we see history repeat
With children dead in the street
No weapons can compete
But Palestine will not accept defeat.

Chorus:
Hear us say no, we say enough
We shout it as loud as we can
We shout no, we've had enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough

And we shout hey, it's not OK
Today or any day
It wasn't OK in any war
And it's not alright today.

Verse 7:
When not one Gazan stone
Can break their iron dome
You do not stand alone
And for their crimes they must atone

Verse 8:
So when we stand in solidarity
Against all inhumanity
From the river to the sea
Palestine will be free.

Chorus: 
And we shout no, we've had enough
We shout it as loud as we can
We shout no, we've had enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough
'Cause enough is enough is enough.


Enough is Enough - A Song for Palestine

I re-recorded this song because the first time there was a hum. To be honest, I wrote this song as a bit of a rebellion. Originally the lyrics were: 'And so I wish you skies of cloudy grey, and wish you pain and sadness on your way' etc. My husband told me that sounded too bitter. I thought it was quite humorous. 

Lyrics:
To a far off land 
You did not take my hand
Cruel hard man
I do not understand
Tears I cried
Said I'd be your bride
Stayed by your side
Cried when you cried
Arms open wide
But me you denied.

Didn't tell me why
Didn't say goodbye
My heart's delight
Lost from my sight

But I don't wish you skies of cloudy grey
Or wish you pain and sadness on your way
May the road be never steep
May you find a love you'll always keep
May the gentle sun shine on your face
May you find a place of warm embrace
I wish you joy, and comfort, and peace
And I wish right now that this pain would cease.

May the light of dawn anoint your sight
May your doubt give way to perfect light
I wish you laughter every day
And I wish right now this pain would melt away.


Kiwi Blessing

I am not sure where this song came from. It seemed to fall into being without much conscious thought. I have been wanting to write a pop song and have been struggling to try and be repetitive enough. 

I had a lot of trouble recording this on my stupid recorder which now switches itself off randomly, all the time. 

Nevertheless, I persevered and this is what I came up with. It is not perfect because I lost it so many times when the recorder died, that I realised it would have to be much less than perfect if I was ever going to finish it. 

When I came to edit it on Audacity, I found that they have taken away the effects function I use and have replaced it with something more complicated, which I then had to figure out. I am not sure I have got the effects right, but in the end I gave up. Anyone listening to this will have to just imagine what it might sound like recorded in a studio with all the appropriate instruments. 


Falling On Me

I wrote this song for my sister Fiona, who regularly ended up pushed onto the floor by her toys. So this is for Fiona, and her two daughters, Isabella and Gabrielle, who follow in the family tradition of too many toys. 

Big Ted

This song is written in the style of Monty Python, or maybe Gilbert and Sullivan. I hope the fact that I suffer from depression excuses me from having this song seem callous and insensitive. It is my attempt to bring humour to a serious problem. The reference to the teddy bear comes from a seminar I attended which suggested that hugging a teddy is a good remedy for depression. I have categorically found this to not be the case (with thanks to Fiona Jackson for the editing suggestion).

Choose Life

This is not an original tune. I have been playing this for about 30 years now. I first heard it when my Mum bought me a record of James Galway after I passed my grade 4 flute exam. It is played on tin whistle with an African drum underneath, seeing as I didn't own an Irish bodhran drum at the time I recorded this. I am dedicating this one to Dermot Morgan seeing as I am sure watching Father Ted over the last few days has inspired me to record it.

Belfast Hornpipe

This song was inspired by my friend Megan, who bought the most gorgeous ostrich in Alaska and let me borrow her for a photo shoot. This song is for Brigitte who brought dance to my life.

Lyrics for An Ostrich in a Tutu
by Michelle Jackson - Copyright 2017
From an idea by Megan Templeton



1. I can't be sure but I think I saw an ostrich in a tutu
Have you ever heard something quite as absurd as an ostrich in a tutu
Does it think it can do a pirouette? Can it dance a waltz or a minuet
In a grand jete does it break a sweat? That ostrich in a tutu

2. It may sound naive but I do believe there's an ostrich in a tutu
Do my eyes deceive? I can not believe there's an ostrich in a tutu
Can it dance the jive? Can it move that quick?
Can it limbo under the limbo stick?
Does it point its toes when it does high kicks? That ostrich in a tutu

3. It may sound queer but I'm quite sincere, there's an ostrich in a tutu
Let me be quite clear, never interfere with an ostrich in a tutu
It can ballroom dance, it can shake and swing
It can hip hop and do the highland fling
It can truly dance almost anything, that ostrich in a tutu

4. By now I'm sure that I know I saw an ostrich in a tutu
It can releve, it can grand plie that ostrich in a tutu
It can pas de chat, it can cha-cha-cha
It can disco dance while playing guitar
It can can-can to la cucaracha-cha that ostrich in a tutu

5. It can hula dance if it's given a chance, that ostrich in a tutu
It can robot dance if it's warned in advance that ostrich in a tutu
It can jig to jazz, it can bop to blues, 
It can Irish dance any reel you choose
It can rock'n'roll wearing tap dance shoes that ostrich in a tutu.

6. By now you perceive it's not make-believe, there's an ostrich in a tutu
Never disbelieve something you can't see like an ostrich in a tutu
It can rumba, samba and tango too, 
It can bunny hop while it shouts 'YAHOO!'
It can pogo dance with a kangaroo, that ostrich in a tutu
That ostrich in a tutu, that ostrich in a ...   Cha-cha-cha.

An Ostrich in a Tutu

I live on the beautiful Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, NZ, where at Taiaroa Head the albatrosses nest. They glide effortlessly through the air, barely moving their outstretched wings. I hoped to capture the beauty of this in a song for children. The song is for the children that live on the peninsula.

Lyrics for Fly Albatross Fly
by Michelle Jackson     Copyright 2017
For the children of   Otago Peninsula.

1. 	Watch the albatross fly
	Watch it soar through the sky
	Where are you going through clouds and blue sky?
	Will you take me along
	If I sing you this song?
	We could fly all day long
	Won't you fly, albatross fly?

Chorus: 
 Fly, albatross, fly through the sky
Spread your wings as you fly through the clear blue sky
Fly, albatross, fly through the sky
Fly, albatross, fly. 

2. 	When the day's just begun
	Do you head for the sun?
	And at night do you visit the stars one by one?
	Do you live out at sea?
	Does it make you feel free?
	You seem free as can be
	Won't you fly, albatross, fly

Chorus:
 Fly, albatross, fly through the sky
Spread your wings as you fly through the clear blue sky
Fly, albatross, fly through the sky
Fly, albatross, fly. 

Bridge:
Fly, fly through rain and dark sky
Flying through thunder storms
Swiftly you glide
Through monsoons and typhoons, 
Across oceans wide
Just fly, albatross, fly.

Chorus x2
Fly, albatross, fly

Fly Albatross Fly

I was inspired to write this because we have 4 chickens and when I go into the coop they peck me. They are constantly hungry. They are very lucky chickens as they have a swing, and as well as a coop they have a run where they can peck around during the day. They all have names: In the photo is Hildegard von Bingen, and the other three are called Saint Cecelia, Emmeline Pankhurst and Clara Schumann. They bring us a lot of joy as well as hard work. Their favourite food is mealworms.

The Chicken Song

Grab your favourite toy and pretend it is a frog. Put it on your head and walk around the room. Each verse asks you to imagine the toy as a different animal, and you move around the room in different ways with the toy on different body parts. Have fun!

A Frog on my Head

Is it just me, or are other people unsure of the difference between a courgette, a zucchini and a marrow. It was this confusion that led me to write a song about vegetables, and hopefully to add a positive message about how good vegetables are for us.

Is it a Courgette, a Zucchini or a Marrow?

O Thou Perfect Love

I wrote this song to encourage children to take 3 deep breaths if they are feeling anxious, angry, frustrated or sad. Your breath is something that is always with you so it is an excellent tool to use to calm down and reassess your situation. My hope is that if we teach children when they are young to utilise this skill they will take it through into adult life.

Lyrics:
Breathing is good, breathing feels nice
Feels so good you shouldn't have to think twice
Just breathe in and out, three slow breaths in and out
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths in and out

You breathe in, you breathe out
And you can do the hokey-tokey you can turn about
But breathe in, and breathe out
If you want to relax take three slow breaths in and out

Because breathing is good, breathing feels nice
Feels so good you shouldn't have to think twice
Just breathe in and out, three slow breaths in and out
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths in and out

So breathe in, and breathe out
And breathe in, and breathe out and breathe in, and breathe out
'Cause that's what it's all about
If you want to feel better take three slow breaths in and out

Because breathing is good, breathing feels nice
Feels so good you shouldn't have to think twice
You breathe in and out, three slow breaths in and out
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths in and out

So breathe in, and breathe out
And breathe in, and then breathe out
And breathe in, and breathe out
If you want to calm down take three slow breaths in and out

Because breathing is good, breathing feels nice
Feels so good you shouldn't have to think twice
Just breathe in and out, three slow breaths in and out
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths in and out

Because breathing is good, breathing feels fine
Feels so good you shouldn't have to think twice
Just breathe in and out, three slow breaths in and out
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths 
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths 
If you're ever in doubt take three slow breaths in and out.

Breathing Is Good

It's Chicken Time

I found my husband up at the chicken coop with our chicken Rosa on his knee, whispering to her, 'We're having a good time aren't we. We're having chicken time' and that was the inspiration behind this song.

Lyrics:

Do you know what time it is?
It's chicken time!
Can you act like a chicken?
Get ready, here we go...

You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
Oh, it's time for chicken time

Watch us scratch, scratch, scratch the ground
Watch us scratch, scratch all around
Just watch us scratch, scratch, scratch the ground
'Cause it's time for chicken time

You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
Oh, it's time for chicken time

Watch us peck, peck, peck the floor
Watch us peck, peck, peck some more
Just watch us peck, peck, peck the floor
'Cause it's time for chicken time

You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
Oh, it's time for chicken time

Watch us flap, flap, flap our wings
Watch us flap, flap our wings and sing
Just watch us flap, flap, flap our wings
'Cause it's time for chicken time

You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
Oh, it's time for chicken time

Hear us cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck
Hear us cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck
Hear us cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck
'Cause it's time for chicken time

You know it's time for chicken time
You know it's time for chicken time
You know it's time for chicken time
Oh, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time
You know, it's time for chicken time

I wrote this about my dear friend David Blumfield, who died 31 October 2015. Much loved by his family, friends and students. He was an actor, director and lecturer. A loving and thoughtful man who is missed by so many. I miss you every day David and I hope I will see you again.
Thanks to Richard Jackson for the electric guitar track.

When will I see you again

I bought an amazing tuatara soft toy puppet when I was in Queenstown, NZ, on the understanding that I bought her specifically to write a song about her. That justified the purchase. Tuatara don't come cheap. So here is her song. The tuatara is the only remaining sort-of-almost-but-not quite dinosaur in NZ.

Lyrics:
Over two hundred million years ago
There were reptiles and dinosaurs in Aotearoa
Now they've all died out except one that I know
Who is 80 years old, that's waru tekau

Here name is Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She's a dinosaur living in Motukarara
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She lives underneath a huge pohutukawa

She has jet black eyes, her skin is greeny-brown
And she lives in a burrow down under the ground
She likes to bask in the grass til the sun goes down
And she eats all the bugs that are running around

Here name is Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She's a dinosaur living in Motukarara
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She lives underneath a huge pohutukawa

There are spikes on her back and spikes on her neck
And she eats juicy weta, they're her favourite snack
She can move really fast or really slow
And she sheds her skin every year or so

Here name is Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She's a dinosaur living in Motukarara
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She lives underneath a huge pohutukawa
She is Tara the amazing tuatara.

Kara The Tuatara

This song is a nonsense song about a tuatara called Kara. It follows on from my first song about Kara the Tuatara which is a factual song. I had a lot of fun writing this. It's a little bit crazy.

Lyrics:

I went out walking on the beach one sunny day
And I met a tuatara who was going my way
She said 'It's a nice day to go for a walk'
And I said 'I really didn't know tuatara could talk!

Her name is Tara, Tara the Tuatara
For a tuatara she is quite peculiar-a
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
Plays the drums and she can play the bass guitar-a

She said, 'I like to dance, and I like to sing
I like to dress up like a princess with a crown and a ring'
I said, 'You're the strangest tuatara I've ever met'
She said, 'I'm the strangest tuatara you've met yet!'

Her name is Tara
Tara the Tuatara wears mascara, purple lipstick and a sparkly tiara
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
Sings waiata up in Whangamata-ra
And does a cha-cha that is quite spectacular-a

She goes on holidays to countries far away
Where she'll stay for a week or a month or a day
She'll go in February, March or April or May
Sometimes she'll go to an island on an aeroplane

Her name is Tara
Tara the Tuatara drove a motoka all the way to Whangaparoua
Tara, Tara the Tuatara
Drove a llama out to Aramoana
Then drove to Omarama with a koala
Then to the Wairarapa with an impala

Her name is Tara, Tara the Tuatara
She travels to Tijuana and Botswana and Ghana
Tara, Tara the Tuatara's been to Guatamala and Coca Cabana
And to Havana and to Guadelamara
And to Lusaka and to Louisiana
Then to Zanzibar-a and Myanmar-a
She is Tara the amazing tuatara.

Michelle Jackson

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