"May All Children"

Composed by Kenneth K. Guilmartin

Back in 1986, when Ken Guilmartin was teaching at his daughter's school and busy developing Music Together, he wrote a song for the school's celebration of the 40th anniversary of UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund). Originally called "Solstice Song," it was about the simple, heartfelt wish that all children—that everyone—might live in peace.

After September 11, 2001, Ken rearranged and retitled the song "May All Children" in memory of the events of that day, and in 2002, "May All Children" was included in the Music Together Sticks Song Collection. And in 2017, the award-winning children's musician Laurie Berkner recorded her own version of the song in honor of the International Day of Peace on September 21.

Perform "May All Children" in Your Community

To keep world peace and children's well-being foremost in our minds, Ken has made "May All Children" available here, with royalties donated to the United States Fund for UNICEF. He hopes that those who work with children or with music in any way will use this song and sing out its wish for the world.

You're invited to register your performance and download the sheet music. Please go to the Performance Log to register and view the many ways the song has been performed across the globe. The download is free, but we encourage you to make a donation based on music publishing industry standards ($0.15 per paper copy), 100% of which will go to UNICEF. Please contact the publisher for broadcast, paid performances, or mechanical use.

Listen to the Song