Our Song for Peace: “May All Children”
May, may all, may all children,
May all people, everywhere, live in peace.
The lullaby in this session’s Sticks Song Collection is a simple, heartfelt wish for peace. Its words have been sung millions of times by children, teachers, and parents all over the world for more than thirty-five years.
In 1986, when Music Together® was in its infancy, Music Together Worldwide Founder/Artistic Director Ken Guilmartin wrote a piece he called “Solstice Song” in honor of the fortieth anniversary of UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund). Ken was teaching at his daughter’s preschool at the time, and penned the song for the school’s celebration of this milestone.
After the events of September 11, 2001, Ken was moved to revisit the song, which he re-arranged and re-titled “May All Children.” It became a part of the Sticks Song Collection the following year, and families in Music Together classes have been singing it ever since.
Beyond the Music Together® Classroom
Since 2002, the sheet music for “May All Children” has been available free of charge at www.musictogether.com/may-all-children for anyone who would like to perform it. In the past twenty-one years, more than 1000 school groups, children’s and adult choirs, places of worship, and other community and school organizations have made the song part of their concerts, recitals, holiday celebrations, and more. In lieu of royalties, performers are asked to make a donation to UNICEF.
“May All Children” Performance Log
Performers are asked to share the details of their use of the song with us for our Performance Log. Check it out! Here are just a few videos that have been shared with us over the years. We are grateful to have been a part of so many commemorations of peace from all corners of the globe!
Immanuel Christian School – Hazleton, PA
(English and Ukrainian)
Led by Music Together Director Marina Kuchar (Ukrainian native)
Detroit Children’s Choir – Detroit, MI
with Hummingbirds Music Together
Gimnasio Moderno Primary School Choir – Bogotá, Colombia
American Boychoir – Hopewell, NJ
at Music Together® Worldwide
When registering performances, there is also an invitation to leave comments about their community’s experience with the song.
The song touches hearts with its powerful message, which is so needed in the world that we find ourselves in. Thank you for sharing it with everyone!
We are adopting this song to sing at several of our concerts in the future as well. This inclusive choir is mainly for children with special needs and their siblings.
Part of the Children's House Curriculum is promoting peace. The Lead Teacher asked me, the music teacher, if I knew a good 'peace' song. Thanks to this website, I was able to share 'May All Children' with the children I teach. ‘May All Children’ has become one of the children's favorite songs and they look forward to sharing it with their families!
Thank you for offering this song to the world. We are a small, all-girl Christian children's home with our own small school. I share music with these girls, and I include ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’ in every performance. When I heard ‘May All Children,’ it seemed the perfect fit to lead into it.
The beautiful simplicity of the song, and children performing via sign language touched our hearts and brought tears to our eyes as we strive to create peace in our world.
Thank you for providing a vehicle for educating children about peace.
Cover by Laurie Berkner
In 2017, award-winning children’s musician Laurie Berkner recorded a cover of "May All Children" in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace, commemorated each year on September 21. Listen to Laurie’s version of the song here.