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!

Folk Songs of the World | Hometown Songs Passed Down Abroad (21–30)

Ievan PolkkaFinnish Folk Song / Eino Kettunen

[With Japanese translation] Ievan Polkka (Finnish folk song) “Ievan Polkka” – With kana reading [Revised version available in the description]

Ievan Polkka Finnish folk song / Eino Kettunen

“Ievan Polkka” is a Finnish popular song.

It is also sometimes written as “Ieva’s Polka.” The lyrics were written by Eino Kettunen in the 1930s to a traditional Finnish polka melody.

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Danny BoyIrish folk song / Frederick Edward Weatherly

Danny Boy Ireland

Danny Boy Irish folk song / Frederick Edward Weatherly

“Danny Boy” is a famous song that poignantly expresses a parent’s sorrowful feelings as they keep thinking of a son who has left home.

The song sets lyrics by Frederic Weatherly to the melody of the Irish folk tune “Londonderry Air.”

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O Sole MioNeapolitan folk song / Alfredo Mazzucchi / Eduardo Di Capua

O Sole Mio

’O Sole Mio Neapolitan folk song / Alfredo Mazzucchi / Eduardo Di Capua

“’O Sole Mio (My Sun)” is a Neapolitan canzone (Naples song) composed in 1898.

Elvis Presley’s cover, “It’s Now or Never,” became a massive hit, selling over 10 million copies worldwide.

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O BureneliSwiss folk song

O Bureneli

O Breneli Swiss folk song

The cheerful children’s song “Oh Breneli,” born in Switzerland, is said to have its roots in Swiss folk music where yodeling is popular.

Its distinctive chorus of “Yah-hoo hotorararara” and bright melodic progression are memorable.

It is sometimes sung outdoors as a camp song or recreation song.

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Forbidden Games (Romance of Love)Spanish folk song

Forbidden Games (Romance) (Folk Song)

Forbidden Games (Romance of Love) Spanish folk song

Characterized by its simple and beautiful melody, this piece is widely known as a Spanish folk song and became instantly famous as the theme of the film “Forbidden Games.” Its 3/4 rhythm is striking, and it is cherished as a classic guitar masterpiece.

Since the film’s release in 1952, it has been loved around the world and covered by many artists.

It was also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” making it a familiar tune in Japan.

The hauntingly beautiful melody brilliantly expresses the film’s themes of innocence and loss.

It is a moving masterpiece you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.

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On the Bridge of AvignonFrench folk song

On the Bridge of Avignon

French folk song on the bridge of Avignon

“On the Bridge of Avignon” is an old French folk song.

Avignon (also spelled Avignon) is the name of a city located in southeastern France.

It is also known for the 14th-century “Avignon Papacy” under the French Pope Clement V.

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KorobushkaRussian folk song

[With Japanese translation] Korobeiniki (Russian folk song) “Korobeiniki” – with katakana ruby

Korobushka Russian folk song

Korobushka (The Peddler) is a Russian song taken from a passage in the long poem The Peddlers by Russian poet Nikolay Nekrasov.

It is often used for folk dancing at school sports festivals and is also famous as background music for the game Tetris.

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