MWE commissioned composer and dharma instructor Harry Einhorn to write a series of lunar new year songs for children. Students at the MWS school in the Hudson Valley have been practicing the rabbit year song to great effect. This series of song introduces each animal and the qualities it brings. We intend to have a complete set of all twelve animals soon. Enjoy!

The Rabbit Year Song

Look at the sky we see the moon so clear
It’s time to celebrate the lunar year
12 animals each following another
And each one has a lesson to discover

Goodbye Tiger, thank you for your turn,
It’s time for the Rabbit, what can we learn?*

Welcome rabbit with your tender heart
You leap so high but are careful how you start
Your fur is soft you bring new birth
And spread peace across the earth

Look at the sky we see the moon so clear
It’s time to celebrate the lunar year
12 animals each following another
And each one has a lesson to discover

*These two additional lines—saying goodbye to the tiger—are present in the student recording below, but not the “for learning” version.

Here are some recordings to help you learn the tune:

• The Rabbit Year Song, sung by students:
• The Rabbit Year Song—for Learning
  

Did you know there is a “new year” starting almost every month depending on the tradition you follow? While Chinese New Year was celebrated by more than a billion people in January, Tibetan New Year (also called Losar) is celebrated on February 21 (2023). Both welcome the year of the Water Rabbit. So Happy New Year once again! We’ve collected a ton of ideas on how to celebrate the lunar new year with children including art projects, activities, songs and more. Follow the link to “Ways to Celebrate the Lunar New Year” below.

Ways to Celebrate the Lunar New Year