Children’s Song Medley: A playlist of classic and popular hits everyone knows

All mothersAmerican folk song

[Children’s Song] All the Horses / Daisuke Yokoyama

“Onma wa Minna” is a children’s song based on an American folk tune.

The version currently sung in Japan features lyrics by Tomoko Nakayama, adapted from an old American folk song.

In her lyrics, a piglet appears in the second verse—something not found in the original English lyrics—making it an even more playful song.

Under the big chestnut treeBritish folk song

Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree / English Folk Song: Piano (Solo) / Beginner

It was originally a British folk song, and the composer is unknown.

It’s fun to sing it faster and faster.

We used to sing it a lot in kindergarten.

It’s a nursery rhyme everyone knows.

We sang it loudly with the kindergarten teacher’s piano accompaniment.

It’s a song I’ll never forget.

dragonfly glassesLyrics by Seishi Nukaga / Music by Kozaburo Hirai

dragonfly glasses

Dragonflies that herald the arrival of autumn.

Sleekly gliding through the sky, dragonflies are still considered “cool” and remain popular insects among children.

Focusing on a dragonfly’s eyes to portray Japan’s colorful skies, the song “Dragonfly’s Glasses.” Broadcast on the radio in 1949, it is said that lyricist Seishi Nukaga wrote this childlike song to help the boys and girls hardened by the immediate postwar period grow up soundly for Japan’s future.

Tanuki of Fist MountainLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akihiro Komori

Tanuki of Fist Mountain

Didn’t you sing this ‘Genkotsuyama no Tanuki-san’ when playing rock-paper-scissors? The lyrics are funny, and it makes the game more exciting.

I wonder if Genkotsu Mountain really exists.

Genkotsu seems to mean the ‘rock’ (fist) in rock-paper-scissors.

Buzz buzz buzzLyrics by Shiro Murano / Bohemian folk song

[Children’s Song Dance] Buzz, Buzz, Buzz♪

The song depicts bumblebees buzzing as they fly and gather nectar.

It was originally a Bohemian folk song and is taught to first-grade elementary school students.

Seeing bees in spring brings this song to mind.

There were also boys who sang a parody version by changing the bees to flies.

TulipLyrics by Miyako Kondo / Music by Takeshi Inoue

Tulip ♪ The tulip flowers have bloomed, have bloomed Lyrics by Miyako Kondo · Music by Takeshi Inoue Tulips

This is a song about tulips, a spring flower full of charm.

Many of you probably remember singing it at school in the early elementary grades.

It’s relatively easy to sing and the lyrics are simple, making it very approachable.

It’s a classic children’s song that everyone knows.

No matter how many years pass, it’s a tune you can still hum.

Swim! Taiyaki-kunMasato Shimon

Swimming! Taiyaki-kun – Every day, every day, we’re grilled on the hot plate and we’re getting sick of it ~ (with actions) [Hand play / nursery rhyme]

This is a famous song that was sung on Fuji TV’s children’s program “Hirake! Ponkikki” in 1975.

The singer is Masato Shimon, known for his striking appearance and distinctive voice.

The song, which won numerous awards, was loved not only by children but by a wide audience.

It’s said to have been popular even among office workers, who saw themselves in the taiyaki that bursts out in search of freedom.