Announcement
Happy Birthday, Louis Braille!
Ideas to celebrate Louis Braille's birthday and Braille Literacy Month
Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809 and we celebrate his life and legacy during the whole month of January, which has been declared Braille Literacy Month.
This song was originally written in honor of Louis Braille’s 200th birthday, but we love it enough to share it every year at this time. We think that you and your students or children will enjoy it too!
Happy Birthday, Louis Braille! January 4, 1809 – January 6, 1852
Sing This Song Dedicated to Louis Braille
Download the .dxb version of the lyrics to emboss.
(Sung to the tune of “Louie, Louie” by Richard Berry, and recorded by The Kingsmen in 1963. Chords: major to C major to D minor, back to C)
Now Louie was a man, born two hundred years ago.
And though he couldn’t see, he learned a lot more then we know.
It bugged him as a kid, that he couldn’t learn to write,
But later on in school, they would read to him at night.
Chorus:
Louie, Louie, oh, oh we got to read now. (Repeat, with: “We got to write now.”)
He played the organ well, and taught his friends the way to play,
Yet Louie still believed, he’d read and write someday.
Then an army officer, showed him how to write with dots,
But Louie knew for sure, he had to change the bumps a lot.
Chorus
He cut the cell in half, and then he wrote the alphabet.
With slate and stylus skills, the dots would help him not forget.
And even here today, his code can help us pass a test,
Though folks have tried to change it, Louie’s code is still the best.
Chorus
Louie changed our world, gave us words that we can touch,
We can do it on our own, Read in English, French or Dutch,
And on his special day, every one should stand and say:
Thank you Louie Braille, your code has given us the way!
(Repeat last line and out)
Lyrics written by Wayne Siligo, Music Director, California School for the Blind
Performed by Philip de Steiguer
We sing this song in class (MP3)
Find out more about Louis Braille and his life & legacy!
We hope you will explore some of the braille activities and resources on this site and let us know how YOU will be celebrating Braille Literacy Month!