Skinnamarinky dinky dinky, skinnamarinky doo, I love you.
Peanut, peanut butter, jelly!
One elephant went out to play, upon a spider’s web one day.
If any of these lyrics sound very familiar (“Skinnamarink,” “Peanut Butter and Jelly,” and “The Elephant Song” for reference), you’re in good company. For many millennials who grew up in the U.S. and Canada, Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s wonderful children’s music filled their childhoods with catchy and genuinely well-produced songs. On a personal level, I absolutely adored these three musicians as a young child. I have countless memories of playing their music on cassette tapes on repeat and watching old VHS tapes of their concert recordings, and singing along to all of my favorite tunes — a personal favorite was their “Newfoundland Jig Medley.”
Today, my own kids love Sharon, Lois and Bram as well (admittedly warming my heart). Many of their songs rank among the most-played on our family Spotify playlist. What many might not know, though, is that Sharon, Lois and Bram were proud members of the Jewish community and a lot of their musical output reflects that fact, as they often sing in Hebrew or Yiddish or sing explicitly Jewish songs.
The iconic Canadian trio consisting of Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein and Bramwell Morrison officially came together in the 1970s, although they had known one another back in their teenage years. All had experience in the folk music scene and the coffeehouse circuit in Toronto, and were enthusiastic musicians. Bram had experience teaching music in schools to kids; Lois had a classical music degree specializing in piano; and Sharon was a popular singer. Each grew up in Jewish households that helped to instill a lifelong love for music.
Sharon, Lois and Bram went on to become superstars in the world of children’s entertainment in the years that followed, including their popular television series “The Elephant Show” that aired during the mid to late ‘80s. Some of their records went platinum and they garnered many awards for their work, including Juno awards. In fact, if you live in Toronto or are there for a visit, you can even check out the playground that was named in their honor with your kids in tow.
It wasn’t an easy start, though: At first, record producers did not think there was a market for high-quality children’s records and wouldn’t sign them, leading them to start their own recording label with the help of family and friends. The producers, of course, were wrong: They were a huge success.
Let’s be real, even to this day, it can be tough to find kids’ music that’s genuinely pleasurable to listen to for adults too (“Baby Shark,” I’m looking at you), and parents were certainly ready for musicians who could appeal to the entire family.
What truly sets Sharon, Lois and Bram’s music apart for kids is the quality. Since all three of them were experienced, talented and passionate musicians, their music reflects it: It’s all real instruments and excellent vocals. In terms of genres, they also do an incredible job of exposing kids to a wide variety of musical traditions, from klezmer to bluegrass to calypso.
Due to popular demand, Sharon, Lois and Bram did release a Christmas album, but it’s clear that making Hanukkah songs for kids was a high priority (and more of a project from their hearts). After making the Christmas album, they put together another album that was a combination of both Christmas and Hanukkah songs called “Candles, Snow & Mistletoe.” Not only that, the three singers released a complete Hanukkah album, “Candles Long Ago,” making them pretty much the only well-known children’s musical entertainers in the English speaking world to do so.
Besides bringing joy to kids around the world through music, Sharon, Lois and Bram were always total mensches, committed to the Jewish value of tikkun olam, or healing the world. They spent many years as UNICEF ambassadors for Canada. Sharon helped found a breast cancer support group. All three were invested in producing great music for kids, because they felt like that’s what kids deserved — and you can hear it in their songs — and helped start music programs in Canadian schools. They even sang a song about peace called “Talk About Peace,” which references the famous Jewish proverb about “do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”
Lois sadly passed away from cancer in 2015, but Sharon and Bram occasionally continue to make public appearances.
Here are a few specifically Jewish or Jewish-inspired Sharon, Lois and Bram tracks to play for your kids:
Der Rebbe Elimelech/Old King Cole
