Children’s songs and nursery rhymes about the moon
The moon shining in the dark night is so beautiful, isn’t it?
In Japan, there’s also a tradition of moon-viewing during the Mid-Autumn full moon around September, while eating rice dumplings (dango).
In this article, we’ll introduce children’s songs that feature the beautiful moon.
We’ve gathered a variety of songs—from pieces that seem to express the moon’s beauty just as it is, to songs that spotlight the full moon of the Mid-Autumn night.
How about singing along while enjoying dango during your moon-viewing?
Even if it’s not the Mid-Autumn full moon, it’s nice to take time now and then to gaze at the moon.
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Children’s songs and nursery rhymes about the moon (11–20)
The Moon and the Little BoyLyrics by Hachirō Satō / Music by Yoshinao Nakata
“The Moon and the Little Boy,” which was also sung on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics were written by Hachiro Sato, with music composed by Yoshinao Nakata.
When you look at the moon, doesn’t it start to look like something? The lyrics humorously compare the moon to an elephant’s eye, a rabbit’s ears, and a pig’s nose.
It’s a gentle song about the kindly moon that always watches over us.
Recommended for singing together while viewing the harvest moon with parent and child, or for group singing at kindergartens and nursery schools.
Evening primrose flowerLyrics by Kiyoshi Yamakawa / Music by Masayuki Yamamoto
The children’s song “Tsukimisō no Hana” (The Evening Primrose Flower) features evening primroses that bloom only on summer nights, together with the moon.
It’s a wistful piece that sings of quietly enjoying the moon and the evening primroses alone on a moonlit night.
Flowers usually grow by bathing in the sun’s light, but the evening primrose, which blooms only at night, almost seems to live by the moon’s glow.
What might a hill covered with those mysterious flowers look like? Sing this song while letting your imagination wander, and try to feel the charm of evening primroses that bloom only at night.
The moon is following me.Lyrics and music by Hirotaka Nakagawa
The song that gives the moon a slightly scary impression is “The Moon Is Following Me.” The lyrics and music are by Hirotaka Nakagawa, a picture-book writer and singer-songwriter known for many children’s songs such as “Rainbow” and “To Become Friends.” The song expresses the feeling that it’s a little scary and you want it to stop when the moon seems to keep following you as you move.
It’s true that the ever-present moon in the sky, visible wherever you go, might feel a bit scary to a child.
If your child feels frightened, tell them, “It’s okay—the moon is just watching over you.”
Ponchararin on a moonlit nightLyrics: Kumiko Saito / Music: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
Ponchararin on a Moonlit Night is perfect for summer festivals and bon dances.
Its lively rhythm makes you want to start dancing as you gaze at the moon.
The song tells of raccoons, fireflies, and rabbits each dreaming their own dreams while looking up at the moon.
The moon, with its mysterious aura, somehow feels like it might make our wishes come true.
No matter how big or small, try singing and dancing joyfully while imagining your own dreams—just like the animals!
rabbitchildren’s song
Usagi (Rabbit) is a traditional children’s song of unknown lyricist and composer, said to have been passed down since the Edo period.
It was first used as teaching material in elementary schools in 1892.
Composed using a traditional Japanese scale, it is also chosen as a practice piece for Japanese instruments like the shamisen and koto.
In recent years, it was even used as background music in a Konami shooting game.
The lyrics are simple, depicting a rabbit hopping as it gazes at the full moon on the night of the harvest moon, yet the slightly plaintive, lingering melody is particularly memorable.
I want the moon.Lyrics by Unko Miyauchū / Music by Jun Fukamachi
Some children might feel that they want to make the round, beautiful moon their very own so they can look at it forever! “I Want the Moon” is a song that was featured on NHK Educational TV’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics are filled with a child’s dreams and hopes about making the moon theirs—going for walks together and falling asleep side by side.
Why not sing it while imagining what you would do if the moon were yours?
Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes about the Moon (21–30)
Autumn MoonLyrics and Music by Rentaro Taki
Another moon-themed song by Rentaro Taki, who composed the famous Kojo no Tsuki, is Aki no Tsuki (Autumn Moon).
This piece is the autumn section from his song cycle Shiki (Four Seasons), which portrays the seasons throughout the year.
While the lyrics for the other seasons were written by different lyricists, Taki himself wrote the words for this song.
It expresses the feeling that, although the moon always seems to shine the same, the autumn moon alone somehow has a slightly different atmosphere that stirs various emotions.
Be sure to listen to this one alongside Kojo no Tsuki!