[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
February brings Setsubun and the chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” In nurseries and kindergartens, there are likely many chances to sing songs related to Setsubun.
But in fact, there are plenty of songs perfect for February beyond just Setsubun tunes! In this article, we introduce songs connected to February and children’s songs that are perfect for the harshly cold season.
Many of them can be sung with hand-play motions, so children are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of them on days when it’s too cold to play outside or during music time.
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- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for March: fun spring hand-play songs.
- [Children’s Songs] Let’s Sing of Spring! A Fun Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children’s Songs
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- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
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[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (21–30)
bonfire (open fire)Composer: Shigeru Watanabe
In cold February, you just want to warm yourself by a cozy bonfire, don’t you? We don’t often see people having bonfires anymore, but the song “Takibi” is a classic children’s song that evokes the feeling of winter.
It’s said to have been composed with a melody line that’s easy for children to sing and conveys a sense of brightness and warmth.
It depicts a scene where, as you walk down a cold road with the north wind blowing—together with family or friends—you notice someone having a bonfire somewhere.
The wind is chilly, chilblains are itchy, and you want to warm up, but you’re both asking each other, “What should we do?” Even in the cold, those moments of communication make you feel warm inside, don’t they?
Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue OgreComposer: Kazuko Fukuda
A children’s song that leaves you wondering, “What does it even mean for a scary red ogre and a blue ogre to dance the tango?”—that’s Red Ogre and Blue Ogre’s Tango.
Just as the title suggests, the chorus carries a tango rhythm, and to that beat it portrays a red ogre and a blue ogre, made merry by the moonlit night, dancing the tango.
With such cheerful ogres, they don’t seem scary at all, do they? Even little kids who think ogres equal frightening monsters can enjoy singing this song.
It’s a comical ogre tune that’s also been broadcast on Minna no Uta and Okaasan to Issho!
Snow KobōzuComposer: Unknown
“Yuki no Kobōzu,” sung to the same melody as “Ito Maki no Uta,” a song about making shoes, shares an unclear origin.
It is said to have come from pieces like the Danish folk tune “Shoemaker’s Polka” and the folk dance tune “Shoemaker Dance.” Since “Ito Maki no Uta” is widely known, you can easily sing “Yuki no Kobōzu” by simply changing the lyrics! “Yuki no kobōzu” refers to snow itself, and the song describes how falling snow lands in various places and what happens to it.
The Spinning SongMusic by: Akihiro Komori
The children’s song “Ito Maki no Uta” is a well-loved hand-play song.
The lyrics about winding and pulling thread to make little elves’ shoes are quite familiar, aren’t they? If you change part of the lyrics, you can make all sorts of things, so how about making winter-themed items like scarves or sweaters together with the children?
The Snow PainterComposed by Takashi Ando
The snow-covered scenery looks as if the entire town has been painted pure white, doesn’t it? The children’s song “The Snow Painter” captures the sight of a town dyed in white, making it perfect for snowy February days.
Countless snow painters come down from the sky—in other words, the snow keeps falling and piling up, turning not only the town’s buildings but also the natural landscapes like mountains and fields completely white.
It’s a very calm and evocative song, yet the lyrics are unique and easy for children to sing!
Song of the EhomakiStrawberry Club
When it comes to food for Setsubun, it has to be ehomaki! It’s said that if you face the year’s lucky direction—called the “ehō”—and silently eat one whole roll, your wish will come true.
This song about ehomaki is an original by Ichigo Club, known for singing many children’s songs! It doesn’t just sing about making ehomaki and eating it while facing the lucky direction—it also covers bean-throwing, so by listening to this song, you’ll instantly know what to do for Setsubun! The catchy lyrics stick in your head and you’ll find yourself humming along!
Brr, it's so cold.Composed by: Nursery Rhyme
Famous as a song that evokes the harsh cold of winter is this children’s folk song, “Oosamu Kosamu.” There are various versions of the lyrics, but the well-known one features a boy who, saying he’s cold, comes down from the mountain in tears.
Perhaps this song comes to mind for you, too, when you’re faced with the chill of winter.