A children's song from a popular fairy tale
There are many different fairy tales around the world.
In Japan, stories like Momotaro, The Rolling Rice Ball, and The Tortoise and the Hare are famous—many children today probably know them too, don’t you think?
In this article, we’ll introduce songs based on popular fairy tales!
Momotaro is well known as a song, of course, but did you know there are many other songs based on fairy tales as well?
If you’re thinking, “I don’t know them” or “I’ve never heard them,” this is the perfect chance to give them a listen.
Kids will be delighted to find out they can sing their favorite fairy tales!
They’re all wonderful songs that make the stories easy to understand.
Popular children's fairy tale songs (1–10)
A Wise Old OwlNEW!
Among the many playful songs in Mother Goose, “A Wise Old Owl” stands out as a profound piece that teaches wisdom for life.
The protagonist is an owl living in an oak tree, portrayed as wise for seeing much, speaking little, and listening all the more.
Its message—“Let us be like this bird”—resonates with adults as well.
With records showing it was printed in a magazine in April 1875, it has a long history, and it’s said that John D.
Rockefeller even quoted it in a speech.
Although it isn’t associated with any particular artist, it’s well loved in many Mother Goose Rhymes albums and educational programs.
It might be nice to learn, together with a chatty child, the importance of quietly listening.
Birds of a FeatherNEW!
A short and cheerful Mother Goose song that sings about birds of a feather flocking together, “Birds of a Feather.” In the lyrics, not only birds but also animals like pigs and mice appear, each choosing their own kind or favorite things.
In fact, the original proverb is said to have already appeared in documents around 1545, giving it a very long history.
Today, it’s featured in videos from the Emmy-winning educational program “Mother Goose Club,” where it’s enjoyed in a pop-style arrangement.
With short phrases and an easy rhythm, it’s a great first song for getting used to the sounds of English.
Add some hand claps and have fun singing and playing together with your child!
Cock-A-Doodle-DoNEW!
This is one of the liveliest Mother Goose songs, beginning with the crow of a spirited rooster.
In the lyrics, the house descends into chaos as the wife loses her shoe and the husband misplaces his fiddle bow, all to the rhythm of the cock’s crow.
Despite the troubles, there’s a humorous tone that makes it simply fun to listen to.
The piece has been beloved for a long time and was already included in the nursery rhyme collection Mother Goose’s Melody around 1765.
The phrase has become so familiar that it’s even been quoted in works for adults, such as an episode title of the drama Sex and the City.
The rhythm of the English onomatopoeia is pleasing to the ear, and it might be a great song to sing with your child as a morning wake-up tune.
Curly LocksNEW!
Here’s a very romantic and gentle Mother Goose rhyme that sings of warm affection for a lovable, curly-haired person! It’s a memorable piece that promises a dreamlike life—forgetting chores and other work, sitting on soft cushions, and enjoying strawberries and sweet cream.
Its prototype can already be found in documents from around 1810, and it’s a traditional song that has been loved for more than 200 years.
It has appeared across eras, such as as a character in the 1934 film “Babes in Toyland,” and in folk singer Tim Hart’s 1983 album “The Drunken Sailor and Other Kids Songs,” where he performed it.
The gentle melody is perfect for bedtime, so why not listen to it on a night when you and your child want to relax together?
Georgie PorgieNEW!
This is the song that comes to mind when you think of a playful teasing tune where a boy pulls a prank on a girl and then, when other boys show up, he panics and runs away.
Its rhyming, rhythmic phrases are catchy, and it has long been beloved as a children’s playground song.
In fact, it has a very long history—there’s a record of it already being introduced in a book from January 1841.
It’s also famous because the American rock band TOTO quoted its opening lines in a song they released in 1978.
The lyrics might be a little startling, but it’s a perfect example of Mother Goose’s delightful wordplay.
Why not hum along with your child to its unique rhythm while experiencing a bit of English-speaking culture and history?
Goosey, Goosey, GanderNEW!
This is a lively Mother Goose piece that begins with a call to the geese and features a catchy melody.
The lyrics describe going up and down the stairs, and it’s loved as a play song that you can enjoy while moving your body.
At first glance it seems cheerful, but it’s said that the lyrics actually hide satire about historical religious conflicts, giving the song a slightly mysterious background.
First included, it is said, in a nursery rhyme collection published in 1784, this venerable piece has been covered by numerous singers and educational programs, and is a standard in the English-speaking world.
You’ll also often hear it as insert music in animations and documentaries themed on Mother Goose.
Its rhythmic wordplay makes it perfect for enjoying English sounds, so be sure to sing and dance along with your child!
Jack Be NimbleNEW!
This is a very rhythmic Mother Goose rhyme that depicts a boy lightly leaping over a candlestick.
Words conveying quickness and agility line up, making it a fun little piece that makes you want to move your body.
Its origins are old—since it already appears in a manuscript from around 1815, it has been sung for over 200 years.
It is said to have started as a fortune-telling-like game to see whether you could jump over a lit candle without putting it out.
Nowadays, it’s common to play without fire, using toys or cushions as substitutes.
On rainy days when you can’t play outside, why not enjoy the rhythm of English while doing some jumping games indoors? Just like the nimble protagonist, get moving with energy!