Hello Around the World

I have always been intrigued by other languages and the beautiful sound of voices from so many different cultures.    I wanted to write a song for children that brings different cultures together in a common way - by how we greet each other.  Every one says "Hello" in some way in their culture.  I chose to write a song where children can repeat the word "hello" in a different language.

As I shared my newest original "Hello Around the World" with the students at Uncle Sam's this week, I marveled at their ability to repeat and remember all the different languages.   One little boy in the Pre-K, Landon - was so bright that he even pointed out in my original version of the song, I failed to include the Polish version of "hello," which happens to be "Czesc."   Who knew?!   Well, apparently Landon did and called me on it!   So, thanks to Landon, the Polish population have been properly represented in this song.    I hope you enjoy!

Hello Around the World

By: Denise Forney

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say, “Hola” (repeat - Oh-lah) to my friends in Spanish

We say, “Bonjour” (repeat - bohn-zhoor) to my friends in French

We say, “Hejsan” (repeat - HEY-sun) to my friends in Swedish

We say, “Ni hao” (repeat - nee how) to my friends in Chinese

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say, “Jambo” (repeat – JAHM-boh) to my friends in Swahili

We say, “Aloha” (repeat – Aloha to my friends in Hawaiian

 “Konnichiwa” (repeat Ko-nee-chee-wa) to my friends in Japanese

We say, “Czesc” (repeat - Chesht) to my friends in Polish

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello”

We say “Annyong” (repeat – ahn-yohng) to my friends in Korean                                         

We say “Privet” (repeat – preev-YET) to my friends in Russian                                 

We say “Namaste” (repeat nah-MUS-stay) to my friends in Hindi
and “Shalom) (repeat sha-lome) to my friends in Hebrew

Oh, the world is becoming a smaller place
Everywhere we go

Anywhere that we might travel

We can say “hello” 
We can say "hello"