This updated post is part of our new series on learning simple songs in various languages. You can use these songs to build bilingualism or just to enjoy exploring a world of music with your kids!
of learning simple songs in Most parents who speak German recognize this silly song about a crocodile who lives in the Nile. The song, Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil, comes from an animated German TV Show called The Show With the Mouse (Die Sendung Mit der Maus). In the TV Show, Schnappi sings about his life in Egypt and the simple lyrics and incredibly catchy tune made the song an internet success as well as a pop hit in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In fact, this song actually reached Number 1 on the German music charts in January 2005!
Here’s how the song goes. Take a listen and I dare you not to be singing it for the rest of the day!
Lyrics For Schnappi in German
Ich bin Schnappi das kleine Krokodil,
komm aus Ägypten das liegt direkt am Nil.
Zuerst lag ich in einem Ei,
dann schni schna schnappte ich mich frei.
Schni schna schnappi
schnappi schnappi schnapp i
schni schna schnappi
schnappi schnappi schnappi
Ich bin Schnappi das kleine Krokodil,
hab scharfe Zähne und davon ganz schön viel.
Ich schnapp mir was ich schnappen kann,
ja schnapp zu weil ich das so gut kann.
Ich bin Schnappi das kleine Krokodil,
ich schnappe gern das ist mein Lieblingsspiel.
Ich schleich mich an die Mama ran,
und zeig ihr wie ich schnappen kann!
Ich bin Schnappi das kleine Krokodil,
und vom Schnappen da krieg ich nicht zuviel.
Ich beiss den Papi kurz ins Bein,
und dann, dann schlafe ich einfach ein.
Lyrics For Schnappi in English
What do the words mean? Here’s a good translation for this catchy song.
I am Schnappi the little crocodile.
I come from Egypt, it lies right on the Nile.
At first I lay in an egg,
Then I …schni- schna- snap myself free.
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp
Schni Schna Schnappi
Schnappi Schnappi Schnapp
I am Schnappi the little crocodile,
I have sharp teeth and they are quiet pretty.
I hog what I can snap,
Yes I snap because I can do it so well.
Chorus
I am Schnappi the little crocodile,
I like to snap, it’s my favorite game.
I creep onto my mommy,
And show her how I can snap.
Chorus
I am Schnappi the little crocodile,
And because I’m snapping I don’t get there very much.
I briefly bite into my dad’s leg,
And then I easily shrink.
Chorus
Questions For Encouraging German Vocabulary
Here are some easy questions for using the song to discover new words and phrases in German or encourage bilingualism in your household.
What is Schnappi?
Is Schnappi big or little?
How do you say that in German?
What type of animal is Schnappi?
What does Schnappi do to his mother?
What does Schnappi do to his father?
What is Schnappi’s favorite game?
How do you say favorite game in German?
Can you name any other animals in German?
Kids Music Activities – In German And In Spanish
Would you like to read about children’s music and musical activities in German or in Spanish? Check out our sister blogs here:
Das Kinder Machen Musik Blog
daskindermachenmusikblog.wordpress.com
Growing With Music – In Spanish
