miércoles, 15 de enero de 2025

IMAGINE. JOHN LENNON. 30th JANUARY .- International School Day of Non Violence and Peace

 

On January 30, the International School Day of Non-Violence and Peace is celebrated, on the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi (India, 1869-1948), a pacifist leader who defended and promoted non-violence and peaceful resistance against injustice and that he was assassinated for defending these ideas. 

An education inspired by a culture of non-violence and peace allows schoolchildren to acquire (/əˈkwaɪər/ ) knowledge, attitudes and skills that reinforce their development as critical global citizens committed to their rights and those of others.

"Imagine" is a song by British rock musician John Lennon from his 1971 album of the same name. The best-selling single of his solo career, the lyrics encourage listeners to imagine a world of peace, without materialism, without borders separating nations and without religion.

You can work and learn some vocabulary and lyrics.

Now you can check
In 2014, to celebrate 25 years of UNICEF's Convention on the Rights of the Child, the organisation launched an initiative using the song. Performers including Ono, Hugh Jackman and ABBA announced the initiative at an event at the UN General Assembly in New York, with the intention of spreading the message that every voice matters. To do this, various celebrities and singers recorded cover versions of the song, which can be played on a downloadable app for people around the world to virtually sing with the celebrities and then share the videos on social media with related hashtags.

Pau Gasol tes una de las celebrities mencionadas arriba. Puedes verlo en el video.



(Información de la página: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine_(John_Lennon_song))
Numerous artists have recorded cover versions of "Imagine".[81] Joan Baez included it on 1972's Come from the Shadows and Diana Ross recorded a version for her 1973 album, Touch Me in the Morning.[82] In 1995, Blues Traveler recorded the song for the Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon album[83] and Dave Matthews has performed the song live with them.[82] American singer and guitarist Eva Cassidy recorded a version for her 2002 album of the same name;[84] this version failed to reach the top 100 in the United Kingdom but peaked at number 35 on the UK Indie Chart.[85] Dolly Parton recorded the song for her 2005 covers album Those Were the Days.[86] David Archuleta reached number 36 in US and number 31 in Canada with his rendition.[87] A cover version of the song, performed by Italian singer Marco Carta, entered the top 20 in Italy in 2009, peaking at number 13.[88]

Esta versión a cappella y reivindicativa es interesante.

Como indica el título de la entrada, el 30 de enero es el Día Escolar de la no violencia y la paz.
Como verás a continuación, se eligió el día de la muerte de Gandhi para esta celebración.
A continuación tienes un texto sobre la biografía de este líder y el acceso a la página web donde encontrarás (al final del texto con el título Activities: Listen to a recorded reading of this page)  el audio para ejercitar la habilidad de listening (escucha) - Fíjate en los 3 puntos que hay a la derecha y haz click sobre ellos).

https://www.ducksters.com/biography/mohandas_gandhi.php

Mohandas Gandhi

Biography for Kids


Acceso a la página web y audio


Mohandas Gandhi


  • Occupation: Civil Rights Leader
  • Born: October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India
  • Died: January 30, 1948 in New Delhi, India
  • Best known for: Organizing non-violent civil rights protests

Biography:

Mohandas Gandhi is one of the most famous leaders and champions for justice in the world. His principles and firm belief in non-violence have been followed by many other important 
civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. His renown is such that he is mostly just referred to by the single name "Gandhi".

Where did Mohandas Gandhi grow up?

Mohandas was born in Porbandar, 
India on October 2, 1869. He came from an upper class family and his father was a leader in the local community. As was tradition where he grew up, Mohandas' parents arranged a marriage for him at the age of 13. Both the arranged marriage and the young age may seem strange to some of us, but it was the normal way of doing things where he grew up.

Mohandas' parents wanted him to become a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. As a result, when he was 19 years old Mohandas traveled to England where he studied law at the University College London. Three years later he returned to India and started his own law practice. Unfortunately, Mohandas' law practice wasn't successful, so he took a job with an Indian Law firm and moved to South Africa to work out of the South African law office. It was in South Africa where Gandhi would experience racial prejudice against Indians and would begin his work in civil rights.

What did Gandhi do?

Once back in India, Gandhi led the fight for Indian independence from the British Empire. He organized several non-violent civil disobedience campaigns. During these campaigns, large groups of the Indian population would do things like refusing to work, sitting in the streets, boycotting the courts, and more. Each of these protests may seem small by themselves, but when most of the population does them at once, they can have an enormous impact.

Gandhi was put in prison several times for organizing these protests. He would often fast (not eat) while he was in prison. The British government would eventually have to release him because the Indian people had grown to love Gandhi. The British were scared what would happen if they let him die.

One of Gandhi's most successful protests was called the Salt March. When Britain put a tax on salt, Gandhi decided to walk 241 miles to the sea in Dandi to make his own salt. Thousands of Indians joined him in his march.

Gandhi also fought for civil rights and liberties among Indian people.

Did he have other names?

Mohandas Gandhi is often called Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma is a term that means Great Soul. It's a religious title sort of like "Saint" in Christianity. In India he is called the Father of the Nation and also Bapu, which means father.

How did Mohandas die?

Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. He was shot by a terrorist while attending a prayer meeting.

Fun Facts about Mohandas Gandhi

  • The 1982 movie Gandhi won the Academy Award for best motion picture.
  • His birthday is a national holiday in India. It is also the International Day of Non-Violence.
  • He was the 1930 Time Magazine Man of the Year.
  • Gandhi wrote a lot. The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi have 50,000 pages!
  • He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times.
 
Imagine.
Artistas de todo el mundo participaron en esta grabación.

In 2015, American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga performed the song at the 2015 European Games opening ceremony. The song was played for 70,000 people in BakuAzerbaijan, that served as host of the event.[95] In 2018, the song was performed at the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang (South Korea).[96] 


Y si quieres cantar, aquí tienes con la letra (lyrics)







lunes, 16 de diciembre de 2024

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU. Mariah Carey

 


The hit song synonymous with Christmas cheer has been warming everyone’s heart since its release in 1994.


LYRICS

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

 

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is... you

 

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

 

I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day

 

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, baby

 

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just going to keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe

 

I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint "Nick"
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer clicks

 

Because I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby all I want for Christmas is you, baby

 

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's laughter fills the air

 

And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?

 

I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door

 

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is... you

Baby, all I want for Christmas is you...

Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you






lunes, 9 de diciembre de 2024

SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN / Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree




Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The holiday season will begin with the annual tree lighting in the heart of New York City at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, November 30.

La cadena de TV NBC realiza un programa con motivo de este evento anual con actuaciones de artistas finaliza con el encendido del árbol.


Esta versión más clásica resulta mejor para aprender a cantar la propuesta de hoy.

Continuamos con el acontecimiento anual en NY.


History of the Tree

For more than eight decades, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has stood as a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike. While the lights, decorations, and stars have changed through the years, visiting the Tree remains a quintessential New York experience.


December 1931

Workers at Rockefeller Center pooled their money together to buy a Christmas tree. The men decorated the 20-foot high balsam fir with handmade garlands made by their families. This photo, taken on Christmas Eve, shows the men lined up to receive their wages.

 

December 1933

Rockefeller Center decided to make the Christmas Tree an annual tradition, and held the very first tree lighting ceremony.

 

December 1936

Two trees were erected at Rockefeller Center, and a skating pageant was held at the newly opened ice skating rink on the Plaza.

 

 

December 1942

World War II ushered in an era of simple and patriotic designs, including red, white, and blue unlit globes and painted wooden stars. In 1942, no materials essential to the war effort were used to decorate Rockefeller Center, and instead of one large tree, three more modest trees were raised. From 1942 until the end of the war, the Tree went unlit each year due to blackout regulations.

 

November 1951

Santa and friends watch as the Tree is raised.

 

December 1955

In the 1950s, workers began using scaffolding to aid in decorating the trees. Before the decade was over, the process had grown to require 20 men and a period of nine days.

 

December 1969

Sculptor Valerie Clarebout’s triumphant and towering wire angel figures debuted in the Channel Gardens. She created the 12 sculptures using 75 points of metal wire each. Clarebout passed away in 1982 at the age of 74, but her legacy lives on in her resplendent gift to New York City.

 

November 1997

This Tree traveled down the Hudson River by barge from its home in Stony Point, New York.

 

November 1998

A tree from Richfield, Ohio, was flown to New York City on the world’s largest transport plane, the Anatov An-124 Ruslan.

 

December 1999

Christmas of 1999 hosted the largest Tree in Rockefeller Center’s history. Hailing from Killingworth, Connecticut, the Tree stood at 100 feet tall.

 

December 2001

Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, the Tree was decorated in a patriotic red, white, and blue. People from around the world visited the Plaza to see the Tree.

 

December 2018

A new Swarovski Star, designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind, adorned the 72-foot-tall Christmas Tree. The 9-foot-4-inch topper, back lit by LEDs, features 3 million dazzling Swarovski crystals across 70 triangular spikes.

 

The Christmas Tree FAQs  (2022)

How big is the Tree?

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a 82ft tall Norway Spruce, 50 feet wide and weighs 14 tons.

How old is the Tree?

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is approximately 85-90 years old.

Where is this year's Tree from?

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree hails from Queensbury, NY.

How many lights are on the Tree?

There are more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on approximately 5 miles (8 km) of wire.

How big is the star on the Tree?

Designed by architect  Daniel  Libeskind  in 2018, the three dimensional Swarovski star weighs approximately 900 pounds (408.23 kg) and features 70 spikes covered in 3 million crystals.

When does the Tree arrive in New York City?

To allow adequate time for it to be decorated before it’s lit, theTree will arrive on Saturday, November 12, 2022.

How do I watch the Christmas Tree lighting?

Stay tuned for more information about public access to this year’s tree lighting. You are always invited to view the live national broadcast “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” from home on NBC, on November 30, 8PM EST/7PM C.

When is the Tree lighting?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

When does the Tree come  down?

This is yet to be determined, but details about when the Tree will come down will be announced in the coming weeks. To stay informed about all the details, sign up for The Center newsletter.


La búsqueda del árbol del 2022.


 Seguimos con nuestra canción.

"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"

You better watch out 
You better not cry 
You better not pout 
I'm telling you why 
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town 

He's making a list, 
Checking it twice; 
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice. 
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town 

He sees you when you're sleeping 
He knows when you're awake 
He knows if you've been bad or good 
So be good for goodness sake 

With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping 
He knows when you're awake 
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake 
Goodness sake 

You better watch out 
You better not cry 
You better not pout 
I'm telling you why 
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming to town 
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming to town 

(Coming to town)
Santa's a busy man he has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
(Santa Claus is coming to town)
(Coming to town)
(Santa Claus is coming to town)
(Coming to town)


VOCABULARY

WATCH OUT.- watch out vi phrasal      (be vigilant or careful)    estar atento

POUT.-  (expression, in anger)   hacer puchero loc verb / enojarse, enfadarse

NAUGHTY.- naughty adj           (child: disobedient)        malcriado/a / desobediente /travieso   adj

GOODNESS.- Goodness! interj (astonishment)  ¡Dios mío! loc interj  /  ¡por Dios! loc interj

SAKE.- sake n  (purpose)          en nombre de   loc prep



Versión interpretada por Bruce Springteen - "The Boss"

Otro estilo ...


... y otras propuestas para practicar


Y esta curiosidad, maravillosa interpretada por  ...   Ella Fitzgerald 


domingo, 1 de diciembre de 2024

LET IT SNOW

 


'Let It Snow' is not a Christmas song. The song was written in July, 1945 in Los Angeles by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne. While it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song the song was written about the hot day it was that day.

A veces nos sorprende la historia de una canción. ¿Cómo es posible que esta canción se escribiera en California un día muy caluroso?

Esta es la versión original interpretada por Vaughn Monroe.


En esta página https://www.songfacts.com/facts/dean-martin/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow he encontrado información sobre la canción, tal como aparece a continuación.

This was written by the lyricist Sammy Cahn and the Broadway songwriter Jule Styne in 1945. It was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe, and has since become a standard, with Patsy Cline, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Herb Alpert, Chris Isaak, the Carpenters, Carly Simon and Jessica Simpson just some of the artists to record it. Dean Martin's version is one of the best known, and it fit his image as a swinging member of the Rat Pack without a care in the world. The most popular version on American radio (according to ASCAP), is by Harry Connick Jr. >>

Although this song is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. It's about making the most of a snowy day by spending it with a loved one by the fire.

In the book Songwriters on Songwriting by Paul Zollo, Sammy Cahn said: "'Let It Snow' was written on Hollywood and Vine on the hottest day of the year. I said to Jule Stein, 'Why don't we go down to the beach and cool off?' He said, 'Why don't we stay here and write a winter song.' I went to the typewriter. 'Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've got no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.' Now why three 'let it snow's'? Why not two or four? Because three is lyric."

A version by Rod Stewart recorded for his 2012 holiday album, Merry Christmas, Baby, reached #1 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart.


On November 13, 2019, an official music video was released. In the animated clip, Dean Martin and his family host a Christmas gathering in their cozy cabin, where Santa shows up to distribute gifts while they're sleeping. Only two children are depicted in the video, but in reality Martin had seven biological children and one adopted daughter.

LYRICS

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Man it doesn't show signs of stopping
And I brought me some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

And the fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you'd love me so
Let it snow! Let it snow and snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you really grab me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

Oh, the fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you'd love me so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Esta canción es muy pegadiza y la versión siguiente, acompañada por grandes vocalistas y músicos, es muy diferente a las anteriores.


Cómo no presentar las versiones interpretadas por Michael Bublé o Frank Sinatra



También existen versiones interpretadas para estas fechas - Christmas - con la letra para poder practicar.


Y una versión en español/English, que no es una traducción, por supuesto. Esta sólo para los/las fans de Luis Fonsi. 


Y una traducción, para revisar el vocabulario, que suena poco natural y no se imagina en la situación tan romántica que describe la canción pero que, por esta vez, va a servir.

Oh, el clima afuera esta horrible

Pero el fuego es tan delicioso

Y como no tenemos a donde ir

¡Deja que nieve! ¡Deja que nieve! ¡Deja que nieve!

 

Hombre, no muestra signos de detenerse

Y me traje un poco de maíz para hacer estallar

Las luces están apagadas

¡Deja que nieve! ¡Deja que nieve!

 

Cuando finalmente nos damos un beso de buenas noches

Cómo odiaré salir en la tormenta

Pero si realmente me abrazas fuerte

Todo el camino a casa estaré caliente

 

Y el fuego se está muriendo lentamente

Y, querida, todavía nos estamos despidiendo

Pero mientras me ames tanto

¡Deja que nieve! ¡Que nieve y nieve!

 

Cuando finalmente nos damos un beso de buenas noches

Cómo odiaré salir en la tormenta

Pero si realmente me agarras fuerte

Todo el camino a casa estaré caliente

 

Oh, el fuego está muriendo lentamente

Y, querida, todavía nos estamos despidiendo

Pero mientras me ames tanto

¡Que nieve, que nieve, que nieve!