[Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
We’d like to introduce autumn nursery rhymes, songs, and traditional children’s songs that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
When you think of autumn, what comes to mind?
Pine cones, acorns, autumn leaves, moon-viewing… The more you think about it, the more images pop up, don’t they?
In this article, we’ve gathered wonderful classics that make autumn scenery unfold right before your eyes.
From gentle, soothing pieces unique to autumn that sink into the heart, to hand-play songs and traditional children’s tunes you can play and sing along with—these are all famous songs that let you experience autumn in many ways.
Be sure to listen together, sing along, and immerse yourselves in “autumn.”
- Song of the Maple Leaves. An autumn children’s song/nursery rhyme/folk song
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- Children’s songs and nursery rhymes about the moon
- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
- [Children’s Songs] Let’s Sing of Spring! A Fun Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children’s Songs
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Autumn anime songs: iconic tracks for the deepening fall
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- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- [For Children] Recommended Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Children’s Songs to Sing in April
- [Moon Songs Special] Famous songs about the moon. Songs you’ll want to listen to under a full moon or in the moonlight.
[Autumn Children's Songs] Autumn songs, school songs, and nursery rhymes. A collection of classic songs you’ll want to sing in autumn (51–60)
sports dayAkihiko Noritake
When it comes to big events in autumn, the sports day immediately comes to mind! While some people love it and many find it challenging, the song “Undōkai” portrays children looking forward to the event.
The lyrics cheer on the kids doing their best in each event, and depict the teachers and parents watching over and encouraging them.
Knowing that everyone is rooting for you can make you feel like, “I’ll do my best!” even if you’re not good at sports.
Whether you’re excited about sports day or not, this is a song that makes both feelings bubble with anticipation.
A small nutLyrics by Yoji Umino / Music by Georges Bizet
“Little Nuts” was a poem written in 1969 by lyricist Yoji Unno to commemorate the birth of his eldest son.
Although it was not published at the time it was created, the piece became popular and well-known after Kohya Ishikawa arranged the serenade from Bizet’s opera “La jolie fille de Perth” and set it to the lyrics of “Little Nuts,” presenting it on the TV program “Minna no Uta” in 1971.
While it depicts an autumn scene, as suggested by its background, the lyrics are ones that give a strong push to a young boy’s back—encouraging him forward.
scarecrowLyrics by: San Mukasa / Composer: Unknown
A scarecrow stands in the rice paddies and fields, protecting precious crops from birds and animals.
This song features such a scarecrow as its main character.
The lyrics playfully tease the scarecrow, who watches over the crops without moving, no matter the weather or what happens.
Many scarecrows are simply clothes and a hat on a wooden pole, but over time, various creative designs have appeared, and some look as if a real person is standing there.
As you sing this song, it might be fun to go look around your neighborhood and see what kinds of scarecrows you can find!
Sky of my hometownLyrics by Tateki Owada / Music by Scottish folk song
This is the Japanese translation of the Scottish folk song “Comin’ Thro’ the Rye.” The original lyrics were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns, known for “Auld Lang Syne,” and the Japanese lyrics were translated by Kenki Owada.
The song was introduced in Japanese in 1888 in “Meiji Shoka, Volume 1.” From the very beginning of the song, you can picture an expanse of rye fields spreading out before you.
In the song, one looks up at the autumn evening sky and reflects on one’s hometown.
[Autumn Children's Songs] Autumn songs, school songs, and nursery rhymes. A collection of classic songs you’ll want to sing in autumn (61–70)
cricketLyrics by Eiichi Sekine / Music by Yasushi Akutagawa
A children’s song themed around crickets, “Ko-orogi,” features the lovely chirping they share on autumn nights.
It sings about crickets cutely chirping in various places.
Big brother cricket, little brother cricket—seems the whole family is chirping together.
In autumn, many insects besides crickets also play beautiful songs.
Is that a cricket? Which insect is this one? Let’s enjoy autumn evenings while wondering about such things.
With this song, you’ll be perfect at spotting cricket chirps!
An Apple’s SoliloquyLyrics by Toshiko Takeuchi / Music by Mitsuaki Kōyō
One of autumn’s seasonal flavors, the apple takes center stage in “Apple’s Soliloquy.” The song depicts apples being harvested, shipped, and lined up at the fruit shop.
It is said that lyricist Toshiko Takeuchi wrote the lyrics while in the hospital, inspired by apples brought to her as a get-well gift.
It’s a piece that sparks the imagination, making you wonder if the apples you see in supermarkets and fruit shops arrived in just this way.
At the end of the song, the apple remembers the person who harvested it.
When you eat, do so with a feeling of gratitude toward those who grew your food—say “thank you” in your heart!
homesickness for one’s hometown; nostalgic longing to return to one’s rural rootsLyrics by Hakushu Kitahara / Music by Shinpei Nakayama
Satogokoro, which leaves you with a faintly bittersweet feeling after joining an autumn festival.
Drawn by the lively sounds of the festivities, you came to have fun, but the scene of the festival stirs up memories of your hometown and makes you homesick.
Many of us probably have vivid memories of the local festivals we attended as children.
Even if you now live away from your hometown and join festivals elsewhere, recalling that childhood hometown festival can make you feel a little sentimental.
This is a song that, when you listen to it, deepens the longing to return home.