Lovely children's song

Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs that almost everyone has heard at least once, like “Elephant,” “The Policeman Dog,” and “Aye-Aye.” Because they’re made for little kids, looking at the lyrics again really shows their pleasing sound, easy-to-follow stories, and skillful word choices.

Famous nursery rhymes that have been sung for generations are perfect for parents and children to sing together.

This time, we’ve also selected many songs that you can do hand motions with, so be sure to enjoy singing along together!

Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about animals (51–60)

Squirrel squirrel little squirrel

(Hakushu Kitahara Works · Two Pieces) Children's Songs: Squirrel, Squirrel, Little Squirrel; Cradle Song

Squirrel squirrel little squirrel

This is a song by Hakushu Kitahara and Tamezo Narita.

You can almost picture a little squirrel scampering about energetically.

It was published in the inaugural issue of the children’s song magazine Akai Tori in 1918 and spread throughout Japan.

It somehow brings on a nostalgic feeling, doesn’t it?

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The Turtles' Excursion

From “The Tortoise’s Field Trip” (Toshihiko Shinzawa: Sora and Friends), Zen-On Music Company Ltd.

The Turtles' Excursion

This is a children’s song created by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa.

It sings about how the turtle walks so slowly that it can’t reach the field trip destination even by night.

It’s a slightly humorous animal song that gives you a laid-back feeling.

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Red sky at dusk

♪ (Original Song) Yuyake Koyake – Sunset Glow | ♪ As the evening glow deepens and the sun sets, the bell of the mountain temple tolls [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Red sky at dusk

“Yuuyake Koyake” is a song with lyrics by children’s songwriter Ukou Nakamura and music by composer Shin Kusakawa.

It’s also well known as a chime played in towns at dusk.

For Japanese people, hearing it somehow makes you want to go home.

Among the many children’s songs, it’s a quintessential masterpiece.

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Goldfish's Nap

Goldfish's Nap by Saori Yuki

Goldfish's Nap

This is a children’s song about a goldfish taking a nap in a fishbowl.

“Bebe” is a baby word meaning clothing, and indeed the goldfish’s red tail fin might look like it’s wearing a kimono.

Incidentally, unlike humans, goldfish are said to have only REM sleep.

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Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals (61–70)

pigeon

♪Pigeon – Hato | ♪Coo, coo, coo, pigeon coo-coo, do you want some beans? Here, I’ll give you some. [Japanese song/children’s song]

pigeon

This song has long been loved as a children’s nursery rhyme that feels friendly and familiar.

The lyrics, which depict feeding beans to pigeons, have a pleasant sound and an easy-to-follow story.

Since it was included in the Ministry of Education’s textbook in 1911, it has been passed down and sung for many years.

With its simple melody and approachable lyrics, it’s often sung year-round.

It carries an important message about kindness to animals and living in harmony with nature, playing a key role in music education at home and in schools.

It’s a perfect song for parents and children to sing together.

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Zebra Swirl

[NHK E-TV] Zebra Guruguru / With Mother (covered by UtaSta) Japanese Children’s Song, Nursery Rhymes

Zebra Swirl

It’s a children’s song that playfully wonders what would happen if you put a zebra’s stripes on a polar bear, on Mom, or on the blue sky.

It was broadcast on “Okaasan to Issho” and became a popular tune.

With its bright melody, it’s an uplifting animal song.

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Nanbu Cattle Drover's Song

Nambu Cattle-Driving Song (Iwate Prefecture Folk Song)

Nanbu Cattle Drover's Song

This is a song that has long been cherished as a folk tune of Iwate Prefecture.

It has also been recorded by enka singer Kohei Fukuda, known for “Nambu Semi-shigure.” The melody has that uniquely Japanese folk-song familiarity, which is lovely.

The lyrics, too, strongly reflect the character of the region.

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