Kids Page

Queeny Queeny where is the ball ... I haven't got it ... Where is it? This is a game where one girl or boy would pick up a ball then face towards a wall. The other children stood in a line behind the child with the ball. The child facing the wall throws the ball backwards and whoever gets it hides it behind. The other children copy the one with the ball by hiding their hands behind, pretending that they all could have the ball. The kid at the wall turns around while having to guess which one have the ball. Noli (hide and seek) This used to be a very popular game with children. A child was chosen as the seeker and made to stand facing a wall covering his face. The rest of the kids would scatter and hide in some obscure place. The seeker counts from 1 to 20 and then start looking for his hidden friends. The first one discovered will be the next seeker. Passju (hop Scotch) This game consisted of a number of square boxes joined together chalked on the footpath. Girls would try to jump in each square without touching any of the lines. They used a small stone to throw it on each square before they started to hop, Young boys preferred to play with marbles, cirku (Hoola Hoop) and any round object resembling a football, while girls preferred playing with soft dolls and coloured zibec (beads).
When children used to quarrel between themselves while playing they used to make up by making this gesture. They formed a Cross by crossing their little fingers of their hands while saying:
	Trija is a game played by children in the streets. They draw a square with lines crossing vertical, horizontal and diagonal. The game is played between two children in the same way we now play Nots and Crosses. The first player put a stone in the centre were all the lines meet. Each player will have a turn to throw a stone and make tree in a line or block his opponent to do so. The first player who succeeds to make the stone land in any two boxes which are directly opposite each other will win the game (see sketch) Pasju Is the Maltese version of Hop Scotch. Similar to the game of trija above but this one was played by the girls. A number of squares were marked on the footpaths. The girl having a shot would throw a small stone in one of the squares. She has to pick it up while on one leg, hop scotching to the end of the ,marked squares
Paci bejnietna; Il-Madonna fuq rasi. Il Bambin jahbini u l-Madonna issibni. Kristu fuq l-Artal ibierek lit-tfal zghar.	Peace between us, the Holy Mother on my head. Baby Jesus will hide me, the Holy Mother will find me. Christ on the altar blessing little children.

Traditional Rhymes
Maltese Rhymes Wiehed tnejn tlieta, Pacik qabez mit- tieqa. Gie fuq blata, weggha il-patata. Mar ghand ommu, capcapthomlu. Mar ghand missieru, kissirlu sninu. Mar ghand ir-re', tefagħlu gabarre'. Mar ghand ir-regina, tefaghtlu kuccarina. Mar ghand it-tabib, diliklu l-butir. Haduh l-isptar, ghattewh bl-lizar. Hallewlu z-zokkra barra u kielilu d-dundjan.	My English translation One two three, Pacik jumped from tree. Landed on a stone, bumped his backbone. Went to his mother, she didn't bother. Went to his dad, he copped it bad. Went to the King, got hit with a thing. Went to the Queen, she wasn't too serene. Went to the doctor, he rubbed him with butter. Took him to hospital, under a sheet with floral. They left his navel showing and got bitten by a turkey.

Lanca gejja u ohra sejra, minn tas-Sliema ghall Marsamxett. Il- kaptan bil-pipa f' halqu jidderigi l- bastiment. Meta waslu f'nofs ta' bahar il- kaptan hassu hazin. Ma kellux minn idur mieghu, daru mieghu il-bahrin.	A ferry coming and one leaving, from Sliema town to Marsamxett. The captain a pipe was smoking, commandeering his tiny ship. While the passengers were sailing, the captain was taken sick. Could not find no one to help him, but the sailors were within.

Aghmel xita aghmel halli jikber il- haxix. Il-haxix natugh il-moghza u l-moghza taghtina l-halib. Il-halib naghtugh lin-nanna u n-nanna tahmlilna l-gbejniet	Rain, rain so the grass will grow. With the grass we'll feed our herds. the sheep will give us milk. The milk we'll give to grandma, with it she makes us cheese.

Ghaddiet Cetta il-blondija, vera mimlijja sbuhija. Jekk tigi, jiena naghbija, illum zgur jien nihlom biha. Rajt lill Cetta Furfucetta, l-gharus taghha parukil. Mixjieta, kemm thobb tizzeglek, biex toghqod tinki l-irgiel. Cetta Cetta mara sewwa, b’centezmu iddahlek gewwa. B’zewg centezmi ittelak fuq, biex turik is-senduq.	There goes Cetta the blond lady, She is pretty as can be. If she comes with me I take her, In my dreams she’ll be with me. I saw Cetta Foor-fee-cetta a hairdresser is her fiancé. When she wakes she loves to wiggle, All the guys her moves they fancy. Cetta Cetta is a fine lady, with one cent she ‘nvite you in. For two cents she takes you upstairs, To show you her dowry bin.

Darba kien hemm Sultan Habbat siqu mat-tigan It-tigan irid il-bajd Il-bajd ghand it-tigiega It-tigiega trid in-nuhhala In-Nuhhala ghand il-furnar Il-furnar irid il-flus Il-flus ghand l-istampier L-istampier irid il-ward Il-ward min gol-qasrija Il-qasrija trid l-ilma L-ilma gewwa l-bir Il-bir irid il-qannata Il-qannata trid il-habel Il-habel tal-istoppa l-istoppa tikeb fl-ghalqa Appa Appa il-habel skappa	Once there was a King Knocked his foot with a pan The pan needs some eggs The eggs come from the hens The hen needs the wheat The wheat from the baker The baker wants money The money from the banker The banker wants a rose A rose from the flower pot The flower pot needs water Water from the well The well needs a bucket The bucket needs a rope A rope made of hemp Hemp grows in fields Appa Appa ... The rope skappa. (meaning disappeard)

Sant Anna u San Ġwakkin. Madonna u il Bambin Il Bambin jsejħilha Nanna Ix-xita u ix-xemx In-nanna u San Lawrenz Qoċċi Qoċċi Qoċċi In-nanna tilgħab il-boċċi l boċċi tal-kulur Tilgħab bihom fuq is-sur	Saint Anna and Saint Jacob The Madonna and Baby. Baby Jesus calls her Nanna The nanna and St lawrence, Qoċċi Qoċċi Qoċċi Grandma plays with coloured marbles Plays with them on top the wall.


A lilek tal-libsa twila, ghidli x' kielet illum sabih. Illum kielt il-hobz bil-gobon, u tazz ilma xrobt sal-qiegh.	You with the long dress tell me please what did you eat for breakfast. I had a slice of bread with cheese And cold water which I drank fast.

Ninu Ninu tal-Milied, Ommu ghamlet il-qaghqet. Il -qaghqet tal-qastanija, Santu Rokku bit-tigrija. Ghaddew il-Festi kollha, Baqa’ biss Santa Marija.	Nino Nino the Christmas child His mother baked some candy. Baked him biscuits with chestnuts for the race meeting at St' Rokky. All the feast and festas ended the last feast that of St' Mary .

Ninni la tibkix izjed, ninni Gesu Bambin, hallieh ghalina l-biki ghax ahna midinbin. Ejjew ejjew ja Angli mis-sema mija mija, taraw li Gesu twieled, Bambin gewwa l-fisqija. Ninni la tibkix izjed Etc. etc.	Sleep, sleep Baby Jesus don't cry, leave the crying for us sinners. Come, come oh Angels come fly, to see the new born Jesus in his crib. Sleep, sleep Baby Jesus Etc. etc

Issa 'mmorru t-tieg Bil-laham u t-tigieg Cawsli biz-zokkor Pastizzi bis-summien	We're going to a wedding eating chicken, meat and cakes Mulberries dipped in sugar and some pastries filled with quails

Il-frawli gewwa l-bixkilla Iz-zokkor gewwa l-qantas Nitolbok tgholli l-beritta Ha nara intix fartas	Strawberries in the basket Sugar inside the mould Please take of your beret to see if you are bald

In-nannu u n-nanna ggieldu iggieldu fuq il-bejt in-nanna qabdet tghajjat u n-nannu dilkilha z-zejt	Grandpa and Grandma were quarreling They were fighting on the rooftop. Grandma started shouting and screaming Grandpa oiled her to make her stop.

A - B - A - B, Ommi ghandha baby. Semmietu Gilardu, Il-papa’ ma jridx jghamdu. Jghamdu ta’ bil-fors, Ghax il-knisja ma jidholx. 1 - 2 - 3, Iz-zokkra ta' Mari'. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, Iz-zokkra ta' Vitor. Uno - Due - Tre, La signora pappa il-Re. A - B - C, li-skutella bil-kafe'. il-kikkra u l-plattina, in-nannu ma jridx jaghtina.	A - B - A - B, My mum had a baby. She named him Geraldo, Dad won't have him Christened. Christening him he must, in church won't be permitted. 1 - 2 - 3, the navel of Maree. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, the navel of Victor. Uno - Due - Tre, The lady ate the Re (King). A - B - C, a pot full of coffee. a saucer and a cup, Granddad won't give them up.

Pizzi pizzi kanna Doluri ta' Sant Anna Sant' Anna tal-Morina Habba bicca Pellegrina Mgharef tal-fidda Bandieri tal-harir Noli Kannoli Nsara qaddisin	Pizzi pizzi canna Sorrows of St' Anna St' Anna of Morina Tiny piece of Pellegrina Spoons of silverina Flags made of silk Noli Kannoli Christians are all Saints

Hawn xih gerguri, La sigar u lanqas fjuri. Jaghmel ir-raghwa bla sapun, U jekk jaqbdu 'l-kaccatur In-nannu u n-nanna ggieldu iggieldu fuq iz-zuntier in-nanna qabdet twerzaqt u 'n-nannu dilikha bil-butir	There was a grumpy old man No trees and neither flowers he makes foam without soap and the hunter will catch him up Grandpa and Grandma were quarreling They were fighting in the church pew Grandma started shouting and screaming Grandpa prepared her for the stew.

Ganni l-bidwi razzett ghandu, fih irabbi l-annimali moghza u hmara fih insibu kif ukoll xi sitt majjali. Ghandu ziemel abjad kollu baqra smina u tal-halib, tigieg, flieles u kelb iswed, li ta' dawn huwa l-habib.	John the farmer has a farmhouse, there he keeps his herd and flock. Has also a goat, a donkey, and six piglets in his stock. Has a horse as white as cotton, a milking cow as fat can be. Hens and chicken, a black dog, a drink of milk he all gave he.

Ghandi pupa wisq sabiha, ahmar wiccha bhall-pepprin. B'par ghajnejn minn lewn is-sema, bhalha zgur ma ssibx helwin. Il-mama' bhali tlibbisha, mid-drapp stess tal-libsa tieghi. Ohti z-zghira nisthajjilha, meta jien nohrogha mieghi Fejn immur dejjem nehodha. ghax minghajrha ma jien xejn, Minn fejn nghaddi nisma' jghidu. "Dawna donnhom pupi t-tnejn"	A very pretty doll I have, same as red poppies is her face. Her eyes look like the sky above, a doll like her no one can trace. Mummy dresses me like my doll, the same garments so then you see. I regard her as my sister, that is why I want her with me. Where we go I always take her, without her I am nullity. Everywhere we go they comment. "Like two dolls they look so pretty"

Johnny Gonta f' imniehru ghandu ponta Ponta mhux musmar naqqarhielu id-dundjan	Johnny Dimple in his nose he had a pimple. Pimple is not a nail picked on it his pet snail.

Iz-zunzana ddur iddur, fuq il-bejt tal-kaccatur Zinn... Zinn... Zinn...	The wasp flies around and round On the poor old hunter's roof. Zinn... Zinn... Zinn...

Haga moħġara Il-haj jerfa’ lill-mejjet. Il-mejjet jghajjat kemm jiflah u l-haj jibqa’ bla nifs.	Something or nothing the living carrying the dead. The dead is heard screaming and the living is short of breath.

I am dawwart figolla He is kielhili kollha I am dawwart is-sej gie ottu u ma hadt xejn	I am, thou art figolla He is he ate it all-a I am thou art got six Its eight and I got nicks

Storja vittorja l-angli jdoqqu l-glorja siggu fin-nofs qarabali sold u nofs	Story of Victory The Angels plays glory A chair in the mid Marrows, peny and a bit

Wicc il-ward u wicc il-qronfol Wicc it-tursin u n-naghniegh Ghandna t-twal u ghandna l-qosra Ghandna l-koroh u ghandna s-sbieh	Faces like roses, and carnations, Faces of mint and celery We have tall ones we have short ones We have plain ones and also pretty.
Sema safi u bla rih, ebda shaba jum sabih. gib ballun u lkoll flimkien nigru, nigru gewwa l-gnien. gnien sabih u b'sigar kbar b'dawn jifirhu t-tfal iz - zghar.	There's no wind, what a nice day, Skies are clear the day is fine. Get a ball and let us play, at the park we run and run. A nice garden with large trees, all young children have good fun.

Fra Martinu Fra Martinu qum minn hemm, qum minn hemm cempel l-qanpiena,cempel l-qanpiena din,don dan ... din don dan (Repeat three times) ....	Father Martin, Father Martin, please come in, please come in. ring the bell, ring the bell, ding dong dell, ding dong dell.

Ajma zaqqi kemm tugghani Kielt il-gheneb mhux misjur Id-dendilt mal-kannizzata Qisni kelb tal-kaccatur	I am getting a sore stomach 'cause the grapes I ate were sour like a little hunter's puppy I am hanging from the bower

Ghandi kaxxa gugarelli, din mimlija sa fuq nett, Ghandi I-pupa u l-karozza u tat-te' jien ghandi sett. Ballun ckejken u safrani, ors jiccaqlaq u vapur, hemm xadina qisha hajja, pupu helu fuq mutur.	I have a great big toybox, full of toys as it can be. A Barbie doll in her car, and a set so I'll make tea. A teddy bear and a boat, and also a yellow ball. Got a monkey and it moves, a motorcycle with a doll.

Ghandi pupa wisq sabiha, Ahmar wiccha bhall-pepprin, B'par ghajnejn minn lewn is-sema, Bhalha zgur ma ssibx helwin. Il-mama' bhali tlibbisha, Mid-drapp stess tal-libsa tieghi; Ohti z-zghira nisthajjilha Meta jien nohrogha mieghi Fejn immur dejjem nehodha, Ghax minghajrha ma jien xejn; Minn fejn nghaddi nisma jghidu: "Dawna donnhom pupi t-tnejn!"	I have a beautiful doll Her face is red as poppies With eyes blue as the sky You won't find one like this From the material of my cloths My mum dresses her like me I pretend she's my little sister When I take her out with me Everywhere I take her with me Stay without her I will not Everywhere people will say "These two look like two dolls both"

Idejja fuq rasi spallejja u wicci gembejja u haddejja u issa warajja ingibhom quddiemi incapcap ferrieha	My hands are on my head, on my shoulder and face. My sides and on my breast, then hide my hand behind. I bring both hands in front, happy, clapping I don't mind.

Paci kulaci l-Madonna fuq rasi Kristu fuq l-artal qed ibierek it-tfal zghar dawn it-tfal imbirkin ghax se jsiru qaddisin	Peace peace will be with us all, the Holy Mother up above. Jesus Christ is on the altar Giving children all his love all the children are now blessed Saints in Heaven up above


Baby Rhymes Ninni ninni ruhi ninni, fil-benniena tal-harir. Ghandek ommhok il-Madonna, u missierek il-Bambin.	Sleep sleep my darling sleep, in a cradle made of silk. The Madonna is your mother, And Lord Jesus is your father.

Pizzi pizzi kammillor, eppe pijja eppe po, bella...., gagga....., giggifog.	Pizzi pizzi kammillor, eppe pijja eppe po, bella...., gagga....., giggifok.

Banni bannozzi, gej it-tata gej, Kollox ghal-Baby u ghad0Dady xejn Banni bannozzi Gejja iz-zija Nozzi. Nozzi min ta' hdejna Imniehrirga mfattar gbejn	Banni bannozzi, dady is coming soon, Everything for Baby and for Daddy none at all Banni bannozzi aunti Nozzi is coming. Nozzi our neighbor With her nose as flat as cheese

Ba Ba naghga tini suf iva iva naghtik zgur wahda ghalija u wahda ghalik U wahda ghas-seftur	"Baa baa sheep give me some wool," "Yes for sure pretend it's done." "One for me and one for you, and for your servant another one."

In Maltese	My English translation

Bumm Bumm il-bieb Bumm Bumm il-bieb, Ongi’-ongi’ongella..Bumm Bumm il-bieb, Ongija Kavallier... Min hemm, min hemm, minn hemm Ongi’-ongi’ongella.. Min hemm, min hemm, minn hemm Ongija Kavalier. Hawn l-Ambassadore, Ongi’ ongi’ ongella… Hawn l-Ambassadore, Ongija Kavallier. X’irid l-Ambaxxaturi? Ongi’ ongi’ ongella… X’irid l-Ambaxxaturi? Ongija Kavallier… Irid tifla sabiha, Ongi’ ongi’ ongella… Irid tifla sabiha, Ongija Kavallier… X'ha ntuha 'l din it-tifla? Ongi’-ongi’ongella X'ha ntuha 'l din it-tifla, Ongija Kavallier. Intuha libsa gdida, Ongi’ ongi’ ongella Intuha libsa gdida, Ongija Kavallier. Huduha la triduha, ghax ahna m’ghandniex x’nambuha Karrozza b’erba’ roti ma tghaddix minn Putirjal ghtuni bicca xoqqa halli nsewwi l-fardal.	Knock knock the door Knock knock the door, Ongee’-ongee’ongella..Knock knock the door, Ongeea Cavalier... Who's there, who's there, who's there - Ongee’-ongee’ongella.. Who's there, who's there, who's there - Ongeea Cavalier. Here comes Mr. Ambassador, Ongee’-ongee’ongella… Here comes Mr. Ambassador. Ongeea Cavalier. What need he the Ambassador? - Ongee’-ongee’ongella… What need he the Ambassador? - Ongeea Cavalier He needs a young nice lassy, Ongee’-ongee’ongella… He needs a young nice lassy, - Ongeea Cavalier What shall we give this lassy? - Ongee’-ongee’ongella What shall we give this lassy? - Ongeea Cavalier. We give her a new dress, Ongee’-ongee’ongella We give her a new dress. Ongeea Cavalier. Take her if you wants her, cause we don't really need her. A car with four wheels don't fit through City gates please give me a piece of fabric fix my apron, mates

Dawra durella qazba zigarella coff tal-bellus caqcaqhielu lill-gharus axxa, axxa missieru mastrudaxxa mela one two three	Round and round we go, ribbon on a broom, bow tie of velvet. Whiplash for the groom. Ashy Ashy Father is in carpentry Then One Two Three This is the Maltese version of "Round and round the garden"

A child faced the wall with his hand behind him, the others stood close behind. The child had to guess which of the kids touched him/her while they sing........ Ara gejja l-mewt ghalik, biex tixwik, biex taqlik. Ara gejja, ara waslet, din id-daqqa min tahielek?	Hey watch out for here come death, to burn you and to fry you. Here it comes now, here it is, Someone hit you. You know who?

Children's P a g e (Pagna ta' tfal) Traditionally, Maltese children had a number of original games and rhymes some of which evolved from the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, in today's computer age many of these games and rhymes are getting forgotten as the modern child seem to be more interested in the present fast and progressive life. Here are some verses in their original Maltese language with my version of English translation Anybody who knows more Rhymes which are not included here, Please send them to ME so I can ad them to the site
	Il-Papa’ gabilna r-rizzi, - hodor, vjola w hamranin, Fuq il-blat malajr qeghdnihom, - trid tarahom kif bdew mixjin! Il-Papa’, imbaghad, kissirhom, - u qasamhom f’zewg bicciet Flieli homor, kbar, mimlija, - ‘tini, tini zewg rizziet! Fuq il-blat, b’riglejna fl-ilma, - nieklu r-rizzi lkoll flimkien Igri nikber bhal missieri, - halli ngib ir-rizzi jien! Nibda jien nistad ghar-rizzi, - halli l-ikla tibda tkun kif qeghdin niklu, il-lejla, - hobz u rizzi ta' kuljum! Ghax tar-rizzi waqa l-bahar. - ta' l-imhar qabez ghalieh. Dak tar-rizzi tela' jigri, - u ta' l-imhar baqa fil-qieh!

Traditional Children Games