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

spring breezeLyrics: Yoshikiyo Kato / Music: Foster

Spring Breeze — Yoshikiyo Katō / Foster

Set to a gentle melody that evokes the arrival of spring, this song features tender lyrics that resonate with children.

Written by Yoshikiyo Kato and composed by Stephen Foster, it was included in the “Certified Song Collection” in 1926.

The song depicts the spring breeze blowing through willow threads and across gardens, conjuring light, pleasant imagery.

It offers a soothing springtime moment not only for children but also for preschool teachers.

Once you’ve learned the lyrics, try opening a window and singing while feeling the outside breeze—highly recommended! A lovely piece that captures the refreshing spirit of spring.

rainfallLyrics by Hakushu Kitahara / Music by Shinpei Nakayama

Rainfall - children's song - with lyrics

It’s a cheerful melody that feels as if you’re enjoying a rainy day, almost like skipping along.

The lyricist, Hakushu Kitahara, was a great poet renowned not only for children’s songs but also for poetry, tanka, and folk songs.

This masterpiece evokes a story within the song: a child frolicking with their mother, concern for a child in trouble, and a mother watching over her child.

Sakura, sakura

Sakura, Sakura [Lyrics]—as far as the eye can see, the Yayoi skies

It is a song about flowers that represents Japan.

The lyrics have a classical tone because it was composed at the end of the Edo period.

It’s a beautiful piece with deep emotion, and it has been loved by the Japanese for over 200 years.

When you hear “Sakura, Sakura,” you can’t help but picture cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring.

Pass through (Tōryanse)

Children’s song “Tōryanse”

It’s famous as a children’s song that dates back to the Edo period.

You often hear it at crosswalks, too.

The lyrics feel a bit eerie, but the wabi-sabi gives it a nice charm.

Tenjin-sama refers to a Shinto shrine.

In the past, travel was said to be a life-or-death endeavor, and that’s the backdrop of this song.

Kantarō the North Wind Boy

Kantaro the North Wind Kid (Mixed Chorus) 2008

Announced on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” this so-called children’s enka takes its motif from “Kogarashi Monjiro,” made famous by actor Atsuo Nakamura.

With a cute animation, it became an indispensable favorite among winter children’s songs.

Many famous singers have performed it: on “Okaasan to Issho” it was sung by Seiji Tanaka, on “Minna no Uta” by Masahiro Sakai, and on a rebroadcast of “Minna no Uta” by Saburo Kitajima, which drew a lot of attention.

Close It, Open ItComposed by: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

♪Close Them, Open Them

I have memories of singing it in kindergarten and with my mother.

While singing, we would open and close our hands, right? At the end, you think up your own lyrics about where to place your hands.

It’s a song that’s enjoyed by little children when sung and played as a dance.

It’s a tune you can sing while playing.

The Puppy Police OfficerLyrics by Yoshimi Sato / Music by Megumi Oonaka

The Puppy Police Officer

It’s a song about asking a lost kitten where it lives, but it only says it doesn’t know.

So they ask other animals, yet no one can figure out where the kitten’s home is, and even the police officer dog is at a loss and ends up crying.

Being a police officer is really tough, isn’t it?