Swingsetmamas - A Solar Eclipse Song For Kids (with a call & response pattern)

Swingsetmamas, Premiered Mar 9, 2024

Sing and learn about solar eclipses in this fun and catchy songs with AAC symbols and video of a real solar eclipse

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube animated video and song for children about the solar eclipse. A solar eclipse will be visible on April 8, 2024 in parts of Mexico, parts of the United States, and parts of Canada. 

This post includes information about that solar eclipse and lyrics to that song.

A warning about directly watching the solar eclipse is also included in this post.  

The content of this post is presented for educational and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Swingsetmamas for this video and song and thanks to all those who were part of the production of this video and song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

DISCLAIMER
This video and song are showcased on pancocojams although this video and song composition may have nothing to do with the stated mission of this blog i.e to showcase the culture of African Americans and other Black people throughout the world.

I'm showcasing this video and song because I'm impressed by its creativity and the way it educates children and other people about the solar eclipse. However, I'm concerned that this song doesn't emphasize the dangers of looking at the eclipse without the proper solar eclipse glasses. 

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE APRIL 8, 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE
From https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/07/solar-eclipse-time-2024/73216068007/

Here are the major cities in each state where you can expect to experience totality in the United States (note that the included times do not account for when the partial eclipse begins and ends):

 

Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 p.m. CDT

Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 p.m. CDT

Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 p.m. CDT

Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 p.m. CDT

Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 p.m. CDT

Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 p.m. CDT

Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 p.m. CDT

Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 p.m. EDT

Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 p.m. EDT

Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 p.m. EDT

Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 p.m. EDT

Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 p.m. EDT

Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 p.m. EDT

[...]

What is the path of the 2024 solar eclipse?

The eclipse begins in Mexico, and then crosses over into the U.S. through Texas. From there, the path of totality, which is approximately 115 miles wide, extends northeast, crossing through 13 states. In the U.S., totality will end in Maine, but the eclipse will eventually enter the maritime provinces of Canada.

Other major cities along the eclipse's path of totality include San Antonio and Austin, Texas; Indianapolis; and Rochester and Syracuse, New York."
-snip-
My hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania isn't in the path of the total eclipse.

"The moon will not fully cover the sun, about 3% of the sun's rays will still be visible. That will begin around 2 p.m. and end around 4 p.m" https://www.google.com/search?

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WHY LOOKING AT A SOLAR ECLIPSE IS DANGEROUS
https://www.nbcdfw.com/solar-eclipse/looking-directly-at-the-sun-during-a-solar-eclipse-is-dangerous-heres-what-to-know/3508149/

...."Eye damage can occur without proper protection. The sun's bright rays can burn cells in the retina at the back of the eye. The retina doesn’t have pain receptors, so there’s no way to feel the damage as it happens. Once the cells die, they don’t come back.

Symptoms of solar eye damage, called solar retinopathy, include blurred vision and color distortion."...
-snip-
To emphasize, wearing regular sun glasses aren't adequate protection for your eyes when looking at a solar eclipse. 

Please stay safe. If you don't have the proper glasses, watch the eclipse online or on television.
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LYRICS: SOLAR ECLIPSE
(composers?/performers- Swing Set mamas)

The sun comes up
[The sun comes up]
Everyday
[Everyday]
Sometimes the moon
[Sometimes the moon]
Gets in the way
[Gets in the way]
The day gets dark
[The day gets dark]
When the shadow hits
[When the shadow hits]
What do we call it
[What do we call it]
A solar eclipse
[A solar eclipse]

It's a solar eclipse
[It's a solar eclipse]
Why does the sky 
[Why does the sky]
Look like this
[Look like this]
Put on your glasses
[Put on your glasses]
So you don't miss
[So you don’t miss]
Let's go outside
[Let’s go outside]
And look at]
[And look at]
[The solar eclipse]
[The solar eclipse]

When the Sun and the Moon
[When the Sun and the Moon]
Line up perfectly
[Line up perfectly]
A Moon Shadow
[A Moon Shadow]
[Is what we see]
[Is what we see]
The moon goes]
[The moon goes]
In front of the sun's light
[In front of the sun's light]
[And makes the day]
[And makes the day]
[Seem like the night]
[Seem like the night]

It's a solar eclipse
[It's a solar eclipse]
Why does the sky
[Why does the sky]
Look like this
[Look like this]
Put on your glasses
[Put on your glasses]
So you don't miss
[So you don’t miss]
Let's go outside
[Let’s go outside]
And look at the solar eclipse
[And look at the solar eclipse]

It's a solar eclipse
[It's a solar eclipse]
Why does the sky
[Why does the sky]
Look like this
[Look like this]
Put on your glasses
[Put on your glasses]
So you don't miss
[So you don’t miss]
Let's go outside
[Let’s go outside]
And look at the solar eclipse
[And look at the solar eclipse]

-snip-
I transcribed these lyrics from that animated video with a call & response pattern that may not be totally used throughout that entire video. 

Additions and corrections are welcome.

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