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African Numbers

by African Treehouse

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Duncan Breen
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Lyneth Crighton
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1.
Big Numbers 03:03
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Big Numbers Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus Big numbers are amazing they’re astounding they’re fun. From the deepest darkest ocean, to the distance from the sun. Impress your friends and neighbours with super number facts From ordinary things, to the weird and abstract. Verse How far is the sun, from the earth? 149.6 million kilometers How far is the moon from the earth? Around Three hundred and eighty thousand kilometers Chorus Big numbers are amazing they’re astounding they’re fun. From the deepest darkest ocean, to the distance from the sun. Impress your friends and neighbours with super number facts From ordinary things, to the weird and abstract. INSTRUMENTAL Verse What’s the longest river in the world? The Nile and it is Six thousand, six hundred and fifty kilometers long. What’s the highest mountain in Africa? Kilimanjaro and it’s five thousand eight hundred and ninety five meters tall. Chorus Big numbers are amazing they’re astounding they’re fun. From the deepest darkest ocean, to the distance from the sun. Impress your friends and neighbours with super number facts From ordinary things, to the weird and abstract. Interlude There are more than 6 ½ Billion people on the earth The cheetah is the fastest animal and runs at a speed of up to 115 kilometers p/h The deepest point in the ocean is ten thousand, nine hundred and twenty four meters. The earth is over 4.5 billion years old There are one million one hundred and fifteen thousand, two hundred and five km of railway lines in the world My dad says my mom has more pairs of shoes in her cupboard than all the stars in the heavens put together. ha ha ha! Chorus Big numbers are amazing they’re astounding they’re fun. From the deepest darkest ocean, to the distance from the sun. Impress your friends and neighbours with super number facts From ordinary things, to the weird and abstract. From ordinary things, to the weird and abstract. From the totally mundane, to the weird and abstract.
2.
My Band 03:18
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My Band Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus How many people are in my band? How many can you count? All the different instruments in my band Playing in a group to make a beautiful sound The drums are thumping, they’re setting a groove The hi-hat’s swinging and it’s making us move And now a catchy rhythm on the big tom-tom ......the drums are the heartbeat of our song Chorus The bass is driving that shuffle beat It makes you wanna jump right out of your seat It walks on the beat to make the music flow ..... The notes are deep and very low (Bass guitar solo) "Playing in a group to make a beautiful sound" The rhythm guitar is chugging along Chug, chug, chug, chugging to our song That laid-back rhythm makes me feel so good ..... it has six strings and it’s made out of wood. (Guitar solo) The saxophone lets out a wail It’s pretty notes could never fail To fly above the band, sweeping high & low ..... Wow that cat can really blow! (Saxophone solo) The singer stands in front of the band The microphone is in her hand She scats a soulful melody ..... Here we go come sing with me! Chorus X2.... “five instruments in my band!"
3.
I Love Counting 03:05
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I love counting Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus Can you count, can you count, can you count with me? Give it a try, it’s easy you’ll see Can you count, can you count, it can be such fun 1 2 3 4 5, 5 4 3 2 1 Stamp your feet once..."one" Stamp you feet twice... "one two" Stamp your feet once... "one" Stamp you feet twice... "one two" Bridge I love counting, I can count to five, to five, I can count to five Chorus Stamp you feet three times..."one two three" Stamp you feet four times..."one two, three four" Stamp you feet three times..."one two three" Stamp you feet four times..."one two, three four" Bridge I love counting, I can count to five to five, I can count to five Chorus Stamp you feet five times..."one two three four five" Clap your hands five times..."one two three four five" Stamp you feet five times..."one two three four five" Clap your hands five times..."one two three four five" Bridge (repeat) I love counting, I can count to five to five, I can count to five Kids shout over the bridge: "1, 2, 3 4 5. 1 2 3, 4 5"
4.
Shongololo 03:47
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Shongololo Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo (X2) The shongololo crawls across the street, Under the African sun. The shongololo crawls across the street, It has a thousand legs and its very long Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo (X2) The shongololo crawls across the street, It’s body is shiny and black The shongololo crawls across the street, It rolls into a ball when it’s under attack. (Sax solo ) How many legs does a shongololo have? Kids: "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8" How many legs does a shongololo have? Kids: "9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16" How many legs has a shongololo got? It has hundreds and hundreds. Kids: "Wow, that’s a lot!" Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo (X2) Shongololo isn’t it hard to walk? Don’t you trip over your feet? Shongololo isn’t it hard to walk? While you’re crawling crawling crawling crawling across the street. How many legs does a shongololo have? Kids: "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8" How many legs does a shongololo have? Kids: "9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16" How many legs has a shongololo got? It has hundreds and hundreds. Kids: "Wow, that’s a lot!" Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo, Shongololo (repeat to fade)
5.
Mama B 03:15
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Mama B Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus Mama B, has seven children Seven children has she She has to buy them, things for school Let’s go count, with Mama B Books, pencils, paper and glue Shoes and jackets, lunch boxes too Rulers, erasers, scissors and ties These are the things that Mama B buys Kids shout: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 One times seven is seven Two times seven, is fourteen Three times seven, is twenty one Four times seven is twenty eight Chorus Kids shout: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 Five times seven is thirty five Six times seven is forty two Seven times seven is forty nine Eight times seven is fifty six 1/2 Chorus Kids shout: 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70 Nine time seven is sixty three Ten times seven is seventy Rulers, erasers, scissors and ties These are the things that Mama B buys (X3) (Kids shout over: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70)
6.
Little Shepherd 04:08
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Little Shepherd Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus On a hot, dry, African day The little shepherd boy sits in the shade Of a big, big, baobab tree Of a big, big, baobab tree His twenty sheep are grazing all around And sleepily he starts to count On a hot, dry, African day On a hot, dry, African day He only counts fourteen, six are gone. He starts to call their names, one by one (instrumental) " Look! There’s a tail sticking out from behind that bush." It’s sheep number fifteen, he’s stuck, we’ll have to push Chorus On a hot, dry, African day The little shepherd boy sits in the shade Of a big, big, baobab tree Of a big, big, baobab tree Behind a tree, where can they be? Upon a hill, down by the mill? Oh where, can, the other sheep be? Oh where, can, the other sheep be? "Look! There’s another two standing on that rock" "Let’s help them down and lead them to the flock" "Look! There’s one drinking from the dam" "Let’s go down and fetch, the little lamb." Chorus On a hot, dry, African day The little shepherd boy sits in the shade Of a big, big, baobab tree Of a big, big, baobab tree He has eighteen now, two more to go He has to search, high and low Oh where, can, the other sheep be? Oh where, can, the other sheep be? (instrumental) "Look! There’s something behind the waterfall" "Yay! It’s the last two, now we have them all" His twenty sheep are grazing all around They’re happy now, safe and sound On a hot, dry, African day On a hot, dry, African day On a hot, dry, African day On a hot, dry, African day
7.
Taxi 04:29
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Taxi Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus We’re driving along, In my taxi taking people to work Come along and take a ride with me. We’re driving along. "Stop for Thabo, Stop for Thabo!" Hello Thabo how are you, how are you doing today? I now have one passenger, and we are on our way. "Stop for Lindiwe, Stop for Lindiwe!" Dumela Lindiwe how are you how are you doing today? I now have two passengers, and we are on our way. Chorus "Stop for Gogo, stop for Gogo!" Sowubona Ma, how are you how are you doing today? I now have three passengers, and we are on our way. (instrumental) "Look there’s a family, a family of five!" Sanibonani, how are you how are you doing today? I now have eight passengers, and we are on our way. "Look there’s John, John and his mom!" Good morning how are you, how are you doing today? I now have ten passengers, and we are on our way Chorus Bridge Lets count all the people in my taxi: Thabo plus Lindiwe, plus Gogo is three. Add the family of five, & that gives us eight. Then came John and his mom, and now we have ten Chorus X2 We’re driving along (X 3)
8.
The Big 5 03:37
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The Big 5 Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus Kings of the bushveld Strong and mighty Far in the distance See them coming Interlude "See the giant elephant, and the strong rhinoceros, the leopard and the buffalo, hear the noble lion roar" The Lion. Hear him roaring so loud A hunter. So majestic and proud. Chorus The Elephant. So graceful and strong. In Africa. This is where he belongs. Rhinoceros. You can come to no harm. Your armour, is so thick and so strong. Chorus Interlude "See the giant elephant, and the strong rhinoceros, the leopard and the buffalo, hear the noble lion roar" The Leopard. Running fast as the wind. A predator. With spots on his skin. A Buffalo. Coming over the plain. A herbivore. At the top of the chain. Chorus
9.
The African Market 03:36
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The African Market Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus The African market is bustling today With people on every street I’m taking my basket; I have some change I’m going to get something to eat "Bananas, bananas, get your fresh bananas Only three rand a bunch Bananas, bananas, get your fresh bananas Perfect for a really good lunch" How many things are in my basket? How many can you see? "One! One bunch of bananas" A bunch of bananas for me. Chorus "Peanuts, peanuts why don’t you get some peanuts? Only three rand a pack Peanuts, peanuts why don’t you get some peanuts? Perfect for an afternoon snack" How many things are in my basket? How many can you see? "Two! Bananas and peanuts" And they’re all, just for me Chorus "Honey, honey, why don’t you get some honey? It’s a really nice treat. Honey, honey, some sticky golden honey Honey makes everything sweet." How many things are in my basket? How many can you see? "Three! A bunch of bananas, a packet of peanuts, a bottle of honey And all just for me." (instrumental) "Spices, spices, get your herbs and spices To sprinkle on top of your food. Spices, spices, get your herbs and spices Makes everything taste really good." How many things are now in my basket? How many can you see? "Four! A bunch of bananas, a packet of peanuts, a bottle of honey, herbs & spices" And it’s all just for me! Chorus The African market is bustling today With people on every street I’ve bought all my food now I’m on my way home Come over! I’m having a feast!
10.
Professor Owl 03:36
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Professor Owl Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Chorus There’s a school in the bush, where little animals go With a wise old owl teaching them all that they should know “Good morning class”, “good morning Professor Owl” Today we will learn about collective nouns Professor Owl cleared his throat and asked: “what do we call a group of baboons, class?” Right at the back, a little paw went up “It’s called a troup” said the little lion cub. And what do we call a group of giraffe? “A herd” said the little hyena with a laugh. Chorus A troupe of baboons, A herd of giraffe, A swarm of bees, An army of ants A pride of lions, A parliament of owls, A school of fish, A clutch of chicks With his glasses on his nose, the Professor asked “And what do we call a group of bees, class?” Little Tilley tortoise stuck her head out of her shell “A swarm, sir!” the little tortoise yelled “And what do we call a group of ants?” “An army!” said the little meerkat clapping his hands. Chorus The professor tapped his desk with his stick & asked “And what do we call a group of lions, class?” Little Sally Snake, hissed the answer “It’s called a pride, ssssschool master” “And what do we call, a group of owls?” “A parliament sir!” the whole class yelled. A flock of birds, A pack of wolves, a school of fish, A colony of frogs A litter of puppies, a herd of zebra, a gaggle of geese, A slither of snakes A troupe of baboons, A herd of giraffe, A swarm of bees, An army of ants A pride of lions, A parliament of owls, A school of fish, A clutch of chicks A flock of birds, A pack of wolves, a school of fish, A colony of frogs A litter of puppies, a herd of zebra, a gaggle of geese, A slither of snakes Chorus
11.
Three Legged African Pot 03:28
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Three Legged African Pot Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom We’re making an African stew In our three legged African pot An iron pot as black as the night We stir to the left and we stir to the right We’re making an African stew In our three legged African pot We’re making a fire tonight We’re making a fire so bright We sit in a circle, feeling the glow Our African stew is cooking so slow In our three legged African pot, In our three legged African pot Chorus One two three, One two three, Stir to the left One two three, One two three, Stir to the right Stir to the left, Stir to the right We’re stirring our stew for supper tonight In our three legged African pot, In our three legged African pot (instrumental) We’re making an African stew In our three legged African pot We’re clapping and dancing and singing our song We listen to stories of heroes so strong The pot starts to boil, the foods almost done Cooking our stew has been such great fun In our three legged African pot, In our three legged African pot Chorus One two three, One two three, Stir to the left One two three, One two three, Stir to the right Stir to the left, Stir to the right We’re stirring our stew for supper tonight In our three legged African pot In our three legged African pot ...In our three legged African pot
12.
My Day 03:30
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My Day Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom Verse 1 I get up at six o’clock Brush my teeth and wash my face Breakfast is at half past six Catch the bus, hope I’m not late Verse 2 School starts at seven sharp We’re working hard ‘till half past ten Grab your lunch box lets go play ‘Till we start our class again Chorus Sixty, Sixty Seconds in a minute, minute, minute Counting, counting, Seconds in a minute, minute, minute (X2) Verse 3 School was fun it’s time to go Catch the bus at one fifteen Mom is waiting with some lunch Wash my hands so they are clean Verse 4 Homework time at three o’clock Reading books and doing sums Five o’clock go out to play Wait for daddy, here he comes! Chorus Sixty, Sixty Minutes in an hour, hour, hour Counting, counting Minutes in an hour, hour, hour (X2) Verse 5 Supper time at half past six We all sit down to eat our food I help mom with washing up I still have a lot to do Verse 6 Bath time is at eight o’clock Almost time to go to sleep Dad reads from my favourite book I close my eyes and count the sheep Chorus Sixty, Sixty Seconds in a minute, minute, minute Counting, counting, Seconds in a minute, minute, minute Sixty, Sixty Minutes in an hour, hour, hour Counting, counting Minutes in an hour, hour, hour Kids shout: “Twenty four hours in my day!”

about

South African Music Award (SAMA) winner 2011 "Best English Kiddie's CD"!

From the team that brought you ‘The African Alphabet’ and ‘Stories from the Alphabet Tree’ comes another delightful kids CD, ‘African Numbers’.

Take one sheep and multiply it by fourteen. Now add a taxi, five musical instruments, a shongololo and some rulers and erasers. Next, throw them into a large, three-legged African pot, add some herbs and spices from the market. What do you get? A truly African stew of songs about numbers.

Once again the fabulous Relebogile ‘Lebo’ Mabotja has added her warm, friendly confidence to the equation. Her silky smooth voice will creep into your heart, and leave you wanting more. Kelly Petlane also returns with his soulful melodies on sax, flute & penny whistle, and so too does Elise Coutts-Trotter and her
wonderful Redhill School kids.

This album has a new addition in the multitalented
Concord Nkabinde whose grooving, swinging African bass and backing vocals have added a touch of magic to the songs.

African Treehouse's first offering, ‘The African Alphabet’, has been embraced as an invaluable teaching tool in the classroom, and ‘African Numbers’ is sure to follow suit.

The new CD presents songs about numbers in such a fun way, kids won't even know they're learning!

credits

released October 1, 2010

Lead Vocals: Relebogile "Lebo" Mabotja
Backing Vocals: Erika Strydom & Concord Nkabinde
Sax, flute & pennywhistle: Kelly Petlane
Guitars: Graeme Sacks
Bass: Concord Nkabinde (Concord uses Lakland Basses, Elixir Strings & Markbass Amps)

Conductor/Choir master: Elise Coutts-Trotter
Redhill Kids:
Maiya Daniels Harvey
Shaun Ryan Meiring
Bianca Coutts-Trotter
Katherine Hathorn
Emma Pringle
Mark Andrew King
Sabrina Kezia Rampini
Kirsty Ann McCullock

All compositions, arrangements, programming, productions & engineering by Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom
All songs in Manuscript

Cover design: Wiehan de Jager

Visit our website for lyrics & other goodies:
www.africantreehouse.com
info@africantreehouse.com

We'd love to hear from you!

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African Treehouse Johannesburg, South Africa

"African Treehouse" is an ongoing project to bring African music to kids around the world. Top South African musicians appear on the albums including: Relebogile "Lebo" Mabotja, Concord Nkabinde and Kelly Petlane.
"African Treehouse" is the brainchild of the SAMA (South African Music Award) winning team of Graeme Sacks and Erika Strydom. ... more

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