SING & PLAY ALL DAY

By Allie Jean | Released Nov 26, 2022

Folk music for kids and kids at heart!

 

01. Sing and Play All Day (3:14)    © Allie Jean Music 2022 (BMI)

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Michael Cleveland

I originally made this up as a good morning song for my son, Daniel. 

Michael is an incredible, Grammy-award-winning bluegrass fiddler from Indiana who is 

blind. My son Daniel, age 2, has a limb difference that affects his fingers, but he still plays drums, piano, ukulele, and anything else I put in front of him. So, a message I want to share with this album is that music is for everyone and that no matter one’s disability or physical limitations, it’s still possible to make music.

Good morning my friends, how are you Good morning my friends, I missed you too It's time to get up, get up and play Let's sing and play all day Good morning my friends, how are you Good morning my friends, I missed you too It's time to get up, get up and play Let's sing and play all day Good afternoon friends, how are you Good afternoon friends, I'm fine too It's time to go out, go out and play Let's sing and play all day Good afternoon friends, how are you Good afternoon friends, I'm fine too It's time to go out, go out and play Let's sing and play all day Goodnight, my friends, how are you Goodnight my friends, I'll miss you too It's time to lie down, tomorrow we'll say Let's sing and play all day Goodnight, my friends, how are you Goodnight my friends, I'll miss you too It's time to lie down, tomorrow we'll say Let's sing and play all day

 

02. My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains (3:22) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Michael Cleveland | Jim Pankey

A traditional song that I love teaching beginners on any instrument!

This one is meaningful with the lyrics because Daniel and I used to live in the mountains of North Carolina, and now we live across the mountains in my home state of Indiana.

My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains And I never expect to see you anymore How can I keep from crying How can I keep from crying How can I keep from crying When I never expect to see you anymore My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains And I never expect to see you anymore Rock and feed my baby candy Rock and feed my baby candy Rock and feed my baby candy And I never expect to see you anymore My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains And I never expect to see you anymore Goodbye my little darlin Goodbye my little darlin Goodbye my little darlin And I never expect to see you anymore My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains My home's across the Blue Ridge Mountains And I never expect to see you anymore

 

03. Baby Dan Went to a Jam (2:39) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Rayna Gellert

A spin on “Old MacDonald” that tells the story of when Daniel played a toy drum at an old time jam and went mega-viral on TikTok (44.8 million views!).

Rayna and I both grew up in Indiana and then spent time playing old time music in North Carolina. We even both sang and played guitar in the same old time band - about 20 years apart! We met each other at Rockygrass in 2016.

Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO And in that jam there was a fiddle, EIEIO With a (fiddle noise) here and a (fiddle noise) there Here a (fiddle) there a (fiddle) everywhere a (fiddle fiddle) Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO And in that jam there was a harmonica, EIEIO With a (puff puff) here and a (puff puff) there Here a (puff) here a (puff) everywhere a (puff puff) Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO And in that jam there was a ukulele, EIEIO With a (strummy strum) here and a (strummy strum) there Here a (strum) there a (strum) everywhere a (strummy strum) Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO And in that jam there was a banjo, EIEIO With a (bum ditty) here and a (bum ditty) there Here a (bum) there a (ditty) everywhere a (bum-a-ditty) Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO Ok...here comes the best part Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO And in that jam there was a DRUM, EIEIO With a (drum solo) Baby Dan went to a jam, EIEIO EVERYBODY PLAY! Baby Dan went to a jam, E I E I OOOOO

 

04. Brush Your Teeth (2:52)   © Allie Jean Music 2022 (BMI)

Allie | Daniel

Let Old Joe Clark motivate you to do your personal hygiene! Featuring my flatfoot dancing for the first time on a recording.

This is how we brush our teeth, Brush them every day This is how we brush our teeth Brush and brush away This is how we brush our teeth Brush them all the time This is how we brush our teeth With our little rhyme Brush, brush, brush your teeth Brush your teeth together Brush, brush, brush your teeth Brush your teeth today Brush, brush, brush your teeth Brush your teeth together Brush, brush, brush your teeth Brush your teeth today

​

05. Wheels on the Bus (3:03) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Erin Mae

On MY bus, the mommys sing LaLaLaaaa and the babys sing bla bla blah.

I met Erin Mae on my very first tour with Daniel’s dad.  Erin and I had both had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in our early 20s, a cancer of the lymph nodes, and had gone through chemotherapy.

The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town The people on the bus go up and down up and down, up and down The people on the bus go up and down All through the town, through the town and all around the town The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town The daddys on the bus say "I love you" "I love you", "I love you" The daddys on the bus say "I love you" All through the town The mommys on the bus say "La la la" "La la la", "La la la" The mommys on the bus say "La la la" All through the town, through the town and all around the town And from the sky to the ground The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town The kids on the bus say "ha ha ha" "ha ha ha", "ha ha ha" The kids on the bus say "ha ha ha" All through the town The babies on the bus say "blah blah blah" "blah blah blah", "blah blah blah" The babies on the bus say "blah blah blah" All through the town, through the town and all around the town And from the sky to the ground See the wheels a-go around The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town All through the town All through the town

 

06. Happy and You Know It (2:16) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Erin Mae

Daniel’s first favorite song. When he first learned to clap his hands, it was the cutest thing ever!

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands If you're happy and you know it Then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, clap your hand If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet If you're happy and you know it Then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet If you're happy and you know it, say hooray If you're happy and you know it, say hooray If you're happy and you know it Then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, say hooray If you're happy and you know it, do all three If you're happy and you know it, do all three If you're happy and you know it Then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, do all three

 

07. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (2:47)

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Erin Mae

A favorite for bedtime.

Twinkle, twinkle little star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle little star How I wonder what you are

​

08. Mole in the Ground (2:47) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Lukas Simpson

A North Carolina banjo song collected by Bascomb Lamar Lunsford, with words I made up about Daniel. I wanted to include this one also because one of my heroes, Doc Watson, does it on Songs for Little Pickers.

Lukas is an Indiana native whose band Goldmine Pickers was the reason I began playing around with bluegrass and folk music.

I wish I was a mole in the ground Wish I was a mole in the ground If I's a mole in the ground, I'd root/eat that mountain down I wish I was a mole in the ground Wish I was a lizard in the spring Wish I was a lizard in the spring If I's a lizard in the spring, I could hear my darlin' sing And I wish I was a lizard in the spring Daniel wants a five dollar shawl Daniel wants a five dollar shawl When I come down that hill with my twenty dollar bill He says mommy where'd you been so long Daniel where'd you sleep last night Daniel where'd you sleep last night Well I stayed in my crib and I wore my favorite bib And mommy I'm going back again Daniel roll down your bangs Daniel roll down your bangs Roll down your bangs and we'll see how they hang Daniel roll down your bangs I wish I was a mole in the ground Wish I was a mole in the ground If I's a mole in the ground, I'd root/eat that mountain down I wish I was a mole in the ground

​

09. Peace Like a River (2:20) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam 

I learned this one at church camp as a kid. Sam, the bass player, and I went to the same church camp growing up. And we met Lukas at that camp, too.

I've got peace like a river I've got peace like a river I've got peace like a river in my soul I've got peace like a river I've got peace like a river I've got peace like a river in my soul I've got joy like a fountain I've got joy like a fountain I've got joy like a fountain in my soul I've got joy like a fountain I've got joy like a fountain I've got joy like a fountain in my soul I've got love like the ocean I've got love like the ocean I've got love like the ocean in my soul I've got love like the ocean I've got love like the ocean I've got love like the ocean in my soul I've got peace like a river I've got joy like a fountain I've got love like the ocean in my soul I've got peace like a river I've got joy like a fountain I've got love like the ocean in my soul

 

10. Row Row Row Your Boat (2:21) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Erin Mae

One of the first songs I remember singing with my dad in the car.

Row row row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream

 

11. Eatin' Green Beans (2:41)   © Allie Jean Music 2022 (BMI)

Allie | Daniel | Sam 

I made this one up while feeding Daniel green bean puree for the first time when he was about 6 months old. He was taking a bath in the tub that was over the kitchen sink. Having never fed a baby baby food before, I thought it was hilarious to be feeding him green beans with a spoon. And it got all over his face, as you can imagine.

Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon (repeat) Green bean mash, green bean smash It's a green bean puree Don't care how you eat those green beans Eat them every day Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon Green bean mush, green bean slush Green bean dribble down your chin Don't care how you eat those green beans They make me grin Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon Eatin' green beans, eatin' green beans Eatin' green beans with a spoon

 

12. Happy Birthday (2:26) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam 

With extra verses I found on Wikipedia.

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to my friend Happy birthday to you How old are you now How old are you now How old, how old How old are you now From good friends and true From old friends and new May good luck go with you And happiness too Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to my friend Happy birthday to you

​

13. Itsy-Bitsy Spider (3:31) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Lukas Simpson

With an extra verse I made up on the theme of helping out a friend. I made this verse up in part because Daniel has a rare disease/disability that causes him to look a little different. Daniel and other kids with physical differences are often bullied or scorned by other kids. I believe it’s our job as grownups to explicitly teach kids about being kind.

The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain And the itsy-bitsy spider went up the spout again The itsy-bitsy spider sat on the wobbly web Whoosh went the wind and down the spider went You came along and chose to be a friend And put itsy-bitsy spider on the web again

 

14. Bathtime Song (2:09)  © Allie Jean Music 2022 (BMI)

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Lukas Simpson

Sometimes it’s hard to stop playing and go take a bath. This little song helps us with the transition.

Bathtime is a very good time Bathtime is a very good time Bathtime is a very good time It's time to take your bath

​

15. Say Darlin Say (3:03) 

Allie | Daniel | Sam | Lukas Simpson

The Appalachian version of “Hush Little Baby” that I actually first heard from Lukas.

With an extra verse I made up for Daniel. This is one song that almost always calms Daniel down when he is crying at bedtime.

Hush little darlin don’t say a word, Mommy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird Say Darlin’ Say And if that mockingbird don’t sing, Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring Say Darlin’ Say And if that diamond ring turns brass, Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass Say Darlin’ Say If that looking glass gets broke, Mommy’s gonna buy you a billy goat Say Darlin’ Say If that billy goat won’t pull, Mommy’s gonna buy you a cart and bull Say Darlin’ Say And if that cart and bull turns over, Mommy’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover Say Darlin’ Say If that dog named Rover won’t bark, Mommy’s gonna buy you a horse and cart Say Darlin’ Say And if that horse and cart falls down, still be the prettiest little baby in the town Say Darlin’ Say Hush little Daniel, child of mine, I’m gonna love you all the time Say Darlin Say Love you in the sun and shade while we sing and play all day Say Darlin Say

​

16. You Are My Sunshine (3:01)

Allie | Sam 

With verses I adjusted to be more fitting for parents to sing to their kids.

Daniel’s other favorite bedtime lullaby.

The other night dear as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms When I awoke dear you were there with me So I kissed your head and I smiled You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You'll never know dear how much I love you Please don't take my sunshine away I'll always love you through sad and happy And every feeling in between And as you grow up you'll pass that love on To everyone you meet You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You'll never know dear how much I love you Please don't take my sunshine away You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You'll never know dear how much I love you Please don't take my sunshine away

 

Allie Jean - vocals, guitar, clawhammer banjo, ukulele, harmonica, feet 

Daniel Carson Lee - vocals, percussion, drum, ukulele 

Sam Herrin - upright bass 

Michael Cleveland - fiddle 

Rayna Gellert - fiddle 

Jim Pankey - bluegrass banjo 

Erin Mae Lewis - dulcimer 

Lukas Simpson - mandolin

 

Produced by Allie Jean

Recorded by Jake Belser, Primary Sound Studios, Bloomington IN

Mixed and mastered by Paul Mahern, Mahern Audio, Bloomington, IN

Logo and cover design by Gina Dilg

Photography by Kirstie Newkirk

Mentorship by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer

© 2022 Allie Jean Music / Strong Violet Records