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

Folk Songs of the World | Hometown Songs Passed Down Abroad

Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experienceSatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.

Here are some famous songs selected from folk music that has been passed down and sung in various countries and regions around the world.

Even if you don’t know the titles, you may have heard them somewhere or hummed them as a child—foreign folk songs are actually quite familiar in our daily lives.

In some cases, the version widely known in Japan is the adaptation, and you might discover, “So this was the original song!”

Learning which country a song comes from leads to learning about that country’s culture and history, and it will broaden your horizons.

Please take a listen to these time-honored folk songs that are cherished in each country!

World Folk Songs | Hometown Songs Passed Down Overseas (1–10)

Old MacDonald Had a FarmAmerican folk song

Old MacDonald Had a Farm [with lyrics] (English)

Old MacDonald Had a Farm (American folk song)

A nursery rhyme originating in the United States, passed down by children in Japan—this work carries a curious charm.

Its lyrics depict cheerful everyday life on a farm, incorporating animal sounds and unfolding with a rhythmic flow.

The 4/4 time signature makes it easy for children to sing together.

Widely used in both education and entertainment, it also plays an important role as a teaching tool for learning animal names and their sounds.

Influenced by Stephen Foster, born in 1826, and other American folk song composers, this piece’s simple, memorable melody and repetitive structure may be why it remains beloved across generations.

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The Bear of the ForestAmerican folk song

The Bear of the Forest

Mr. Bear of the Forest (American folk song)

“The Bear of the Forest” (Mori no Kuma-san) is originally an American folk song.

It became widely known in Japan after its first broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in August 1972.

In the original song as well, a humorous exchange between a person and a bear they encounter is depicted.

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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little StarFrench Folk Song / Jean-Philippe Rameau

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star French folk song / Jean-Philippe Rameau

Born in 18th-century France, this song is known worldwide as a beloved nursery rhyme.

It originally had lyrics themed around “the woes of love,” but later changed to celebrate the sparkle of the stars.

Characterized by a simple melody and gentle tempo, it is cherished by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Mozart’s “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” variations, which use this melody, are also famous.

It was introduced to Japan in the Meiji era and is now used not only for singing in music classes but also as teaching material for various instruments.

It’s a perfect piece for relaxing before bedtime or for singing together with children.

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World Folk Songs | Hometown Songs Passed Down Overseas (11–20)

Under the big chestnut treeBritish folk song

Under the Big Chestnut Tree

Under the Big Chestnut Tree (English folk song)

“Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree” is a song that became popular in the United States as a Boy Scouts song.

It is used when playing with gestures and moving the body.

In Japan, it was popularized by Masanori Tomotake, known from NHK’s “Uta no Ojisan.”

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I accidentally broke the clarinet.French folk song

I accidentally broke the clarinet.

I Accidentally Broke the Clarinet — French Folk Song

“I Broke My Clarinet (My Clarinet Got Broken)” is a French children’s song.

It features a clarinet that gradually loses the ability to produce notes one by one.

Looking at the lyrics of the original French version, it seems that the damage wasn’t solely the instrument’s fault.

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BirdsongCatalan folk song

Song of the Birds: Traditional Catalan Folk Song (Spain)

Song of the Birds, Catalan folk song

The Song of the Birds is a traditional folk tune from Catalonia, Spain, made famous through Pablo Casals’s arrangement and cello performance.

The original piece is a Christmas carol from Casals’s homeland of Catalonia.

Its lyrics depict birds gathering and singing to celebrate the Nativity of Christ.

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Mayim MayimIsraeli folk song / Emanuel Amiran-Pougatchov

Mayim Mayim, audio source, campfire, dance, experiential learning, overnight childcare

Mayim Mayim Israeli folk song / Emanuel Amiran-Pougatchov

The Israeli folk song “Mayim Mayim” is, in Japan, one of the quintessential folk dance tunes alongside “Oklahoma Mixer (Turkey in the Straw),” “Korobushka,” and “Jenka.” “Mayim” means “water” in Hebrew, and the song is said to express the joy of bringing water to undeveloped land and working hard to cultivate it.

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