Songs About Nature and the Environment
published 4/8/18; updated 8/6/24
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of songs about about protecting the environment, appreciating nature, and treating all creatures with respect and compassion.
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the songs and videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Back to the Earth, Jason Mraz
lyrics; official audio; video of live performance
Folk pop song about the restorative power of nature.
Be Outside, Jazzy Ash
This song is mostly instrumental. Jazzy Ash performs New Orleans-style jazz for kids.
Come Walk with Me; Liz Weston
lyrics not available; video with singing by Martyn Wyndham-Reid and photos of nature
Folk song: “Come walk with me, and learn to love the land.”
Follow the Sun, Xavier Rudd
Focusing on breathing in the present moment, keeping everything in perspective.
Garden Song, David Mallet
lyrics; video with images of growing plants; Muppet version with John Denver
Grandaughter’s Eyes, Nimo Patel ft. Phehello
video (lyrics in video description—you need to scroll down a bit)
Thinking about climate change and how the decisions we make now will impact future generations.
Green, Go Green, Colby + Awu
American rapper Colby and singer Awu from Cameroon join forces to encourage people from all countries to care for the environment.
I Don't Know Birds That Well, The Mona Lisa Twins
lyrics; official video
They really don’t seem to know birds that well, but this is a charming song and video.
Morning Has Broken, Eleanor Farjeon
lyrics*; official lyrics video by Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam); cover by Mona Lisa twins
(*’fresh from the Word' in the original hymn becomes 'fresh from the world' in Cat Stevens' version.)
Mother Earth, Karliene
official video (lyrics in video description)
Contemporary Celtic folk song with images of nature.
Mother Earth Speaks, Joanne Shenandoah
Song from the point of view of Mother Earth, asking to be treated a lot better!
Outdoors, Jason Mraz (to the tune of 'I'm Yours')
lyrics; Sesame Street video
A Place in the Choir, Bill Staines
lyrics; audio, video of live performance by Celtic Thunder
“All God’s Creatures have a place in the choir.”
The Recycle Circle Song, George E Wells Planet
Children from St. Osmund’s Primary School London sing about the serious environmental and health impacts of the overproduction and overuse of plastic.
Seed to Tree, Osmunda Music
Shattered Garden, John Stea and John Behrens feat. Maggie Richardson
video (lyrics in video description)
A bird takes its last flight through the landscape ravaged by deforestation and global warming.
Song for the Ocean, Kristin Hoffman
lyrics; official video; video by Jefferson Elementary IB Program
Song for the Sacred Elements, Chenoa Egawa & Alex Turtle
no lyrics; traditional chanting and drumming
Song of Summer Solstice, Jonna Jinton
no lyrics; ancient Swedish herdingcall combined with instrumental music
“They Paved Paradise”(Big Yellow Taxi), Joni Mitchell
lyrics; youtube videowith Counting Crows audio + photos of environmental destruction; official video by Counting Crows (which would fit in well with the Be Here Now playlist)
Think Like a River, Barry Hertz
lyrics not available; audio
Wondering what’s going on from the river’s point of view.
The Tree, Dana Lyons
lyrics; audio; youtube video with original watercolors
Perspective of an 800-year-old tree.
Use It Up, The Limeliters
lyrics not available; audio
Ironic song encouraging people to waste more resources.
When Fall Comes to New England, Cheryl Wheeler
lyrics; youtube video with photos of New England
Whose Garden Was This? Tom Paxton
lyrics; recording by John Denver
Looking back from a dystopic future, wondering if the lost natural world was really as lovely as he can see in pictures..
Related Posts
There are many more song playlists and resources on nature and sustainability here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts:
'Creative Ways to Make a Difference' Video Playlist (scroll down to ‘unusual environmentalists’)