Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Folk dance classics and popular songs

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

When you think of folk dancing, many schools probably include it as one of the events at their sports days or athletic festivals, right?

I’m sure many of you actually danced folk dances during your school days.

Folk dance, to begin with, refers to dances set to traditional songs from various countries, and there are a lot of pieces used for folk dancing.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of folk dance songs from around the world—from standard classics to lesser-known, niche tracks.

If you’re a school teacher, a member of a PE committee, or anyone looking to choose music for a folk dance, please use this as a reference.

Folk Dance Masterpieces and Popular Songs (51–60)

KalinkaIvan Larionov

[Russian] Kalinka (Калинка) (Japanese Subtitles)

Kalinkaivan Larionov

It began as a beloved Russian song, originally sung on stage in an amateur theater production for which Larionov composed the music.

In Japan, it became famous as the background music for Tetris.

Fans also sing it at the English soccer club Chelsea FC.

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Hora MedraJoel Walbe

54.Hora Medura.Israel

Hora Medura Joel Walbe

The title means the “Ho-ra!” shouted at campfires.

It’s a lively song with energetic calls.

Basic formations from the V position and W position to the grapevine are used as fundamentals.

It was also included on the private railway line’s 5th anniversary commemorative record.

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RakukaraMexican folk song

La Cucaracha

La Cucaracha Mexican folk song

It has been suggested that the title alludes to Victoriano Huerta, Villa’s arch-enemy.

While it can also mean “cockroach” or “aphid,” documents have been discovered indicating that this song was a favorite among Villa’s troops, who were formed at the time to overthrow Huerta.

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KorobeinikiNikolay Nekrasov

[Russian] Korobeiniki (Korobeyniki) (Japanese Subtitles)

Nikolai Nekrasov of Korobeiniki

With its easy-to-follow structure and a distinctive tempo that gradually speeds up, this is a well-known piece in Japanese folk dance.

It was originally a work consisting only of poetry, but music was later added, and it became a nationally famous Russian song.

The content depicts a night shared between a young peddler and a village girl.

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Folk dance masterpieces and popular songs (61–70)

Let KissRauno Lehtinen

Jenka

Letkis Launo Lehtinen

One of the classic folk dances in Japan, also affectionately known as Jenka.

It’s also famous for being covered by Kyu Sakamoto.

The title means “Let’s dance in a line.” As the title suggests, the people in back lightly hold the waist or shoulders of the person in front and dance in a line.

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Gustavs Skor

8. Gustafs Skål eller Collin

Gustavs Skor

This piece is a Swedish folk dance named after King Gustav II Adolf, from the period when 17th-century Sweden was at its zenith.

Originally, it was an elegant court dance performed by the nobility, but it later spread among commoners as a folk dance.

As a result, the piece is said to have evolved into a two-part structure: the first half in an aristocratic style and the second half in a peasant style.

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Let's dance, fun Polechke!

Mała Tęcza – “Polka Tramblanka”

Let's dance, fun Polechke!

Often sung in Japanese as well, this song is originally based on the Polish folk tune “Polka.” A polka is a type of folk dance characterized by a fast tempo in 2/4 time, but in Japan this song is often performed as a waltz.

It has a charming feel, evoking the image of people dancing in traditional costumes.

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