Some of you may already have been singing this, especially if you have a tachrán (toddler) in the house.  Perhaps you know the song as “Cabeza, hombros, rodillas y pies”?  Yes, sometimes “rodillas” is sung as “piernas” and theoretically we should have, dedos de pies, but apparently Spanish pre-school teachers have already decided that phrase doesn’t fit the song’s rhythm.  B’fhéidir go bhfuil an leagan Fraincise agat?  That’s  “Tête, épaules, genoux, et pied (or orteils).”

 

At any rate, bypassing the “head,” which has been fairly thoroughly covered in recent blaganna, here’s a little more detail on these parts of the body:

 

gualainn, shoulder, an ghualainn, the shoulder

glúin, knee, an ghlúin, the knee

 

cos, foot, an chos, the foot

 

Actually, I think “guala” (plural) and “glúnta” (plural) would have been perfectly singable, but I do agree that “ladhracha” or “méara coise” for “toes” would have been a mouthful.  Even “cosa” (plural) would have been a bit awkward rhythmically.  So once it was determined that “cos” (singular) was best for replacing “toes,” it makes sense for “knee” and “shoulder” to also be singular. 

 

And if anyone wants the “eyes” and “ears” line, that will be “i mblag éigin eile.”

 

Does anyone know versions of this song in any other languages?  I found this online for Japanese, but can’t vouch for it.  Any comments from na daoine a bhfuil Seapáinis agus Gaeilge acu (from those who know/have Japanese and Irish)?

 

atama kata hiza ashi

Smaointe ar bith ag duine ar bith?  Thoughts, anyone?