An Italian Nursery Rhyme’s Simple Dance
This traditional Italian nursery rhyme has many regional variations in the main character’s name (the “lavanderina” sometimes becomes “Maria Giulia,” “Maria Angela,” etc.) and in the final action, but generally the sequence of movements stays the same. It is used in kindergartens to encourage play among groups of children, who form a circle around one child while singing the rhyme. The child in the center (the “lavanderina”) performs the actions described in the song and, at the end, gives a kiss to another child, who then becomes the new “lavanderina.”
Lyrics
La bella lavanderina che lava i fazzoletti
Per i poveretti della città
Fai un salto, fanne un altro
Fai la giravolta, falla un’altra volta
Guarda in su, guarda in giù
Dai un bacio a chi vuoi tu
La bella lavanderina che lava i fazzoletti
Per i poveretti della città
Fai un salto, fanne un altro
Fai la giravolta, falla un’altra volta
Guarda in su, guarda in giù
Dai un bacio a chi vuoi tu
Lyrics
The pretty little washerwoman who washes the handkerchiefs
For the poor people of the town
Take a jump, take another
Make a spin, do it once again
Look up, look down
Give a kiss to whomever you want
The pretty little washerwoman who washes the handkerchiefs
For the poor people of the town
Take a jump, take another
Make a spin, do it once again
Look up, look down
Give a kiss to whomever you want
Source: Wikipedia
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