Children’s songs of the world: songs passed down and sung by children overseas
We’re introducing nursery rhymes and children’s songs that have been sung across countries and regions around the world!
From songs found in Japanese textbooks to tunes actually sung overseas and popular songs used in English education, we’ve gathered a selection from various perspectives.
As you’ll see in this article, there are actually many songs people in Japan think are Japanese that are originally from other countries.
If you want to know “famous foreign nursery rhymes in Japan” or you’d like to sing children’s songs in other languages, be sure to check these out and give them a try!
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- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
- Ministry of Education songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes. The heart of Japan passed down in song.
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
- [Minna no Uta] Tear-jerking masterpiece. A moving song you want to hear again.
- Let's sing together! A collection of nursery rhymes everyone knows
- [Christmas Songs] Christmas songs to sing with children
- Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.
World Nursery Rhymes: Children’s Songs Passed Down Overseas (41–50)
Oh, the pastures are green
It is a folk song that has long been cherished in rural areas of Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
In these two countries, there are songs with two different titles, but they share the common trait of being lively, anecdotal pieces that comically depict rural people.
In part, the song differs from the Japanese version.
Dale Dale Dale
It’s a Mexican children’s song about a piñata—a horse-shaped paper figure filled with candy and toys—used at festivals and parties where children are the main focus.
The piñata is hung by a string and, much like a watermelon-smashing game, is broken open by hitting it with a stick while blindfolded.
It’s A Small World After All
This is the theme song for the attraction “It’s a Small World,” found in Disney parks around the world.
Composed in 1962 by the Sherman Brothers, Disney’s songwriters, it was arranged into its current style in line with Walt Disney’s suggestion.
Its Japanese title is “Chiisana Sekai” (“Small World”).
Other versions include “Kodomo no Sekai” (“Children’s World”), “Minna no Chikyū” (“Everyone’s Earth”), and “Umi to Sora o Tsukurareta Shu wa” (“The Lord Who Made the Sea and Sky”).
London Bridge Is Falling Down
It is a traditional English nursery rhyme.
The lyrics describe building a bridge using various materials, and among nursery rhymes often used for children’s games, it is one of the most famous songs.
In Japan, it is popular among children under the title “London Bridge Has Fallen.”
Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe
It’s a song about an old woman who lives in a shoe, and it’s one of the most popular and well-loved pieces in Mother Goose, the traditional nursery rhymes of Britain and America.
Picture books often depict a house shaped like a shoe, and many children probably felt a thrill of excitement at the idea of a cozy, secret hideout-like space.
In conclusion
How did you like the children’s songs from around the world? Even if the titles didn’t ring a bell, I’m sure many of you recognized the songs as soon as you heard the melodies.
For songs that appeared in your textbooks, they may have brought back childhood memories for many of you! Singing songs in foreign languages can also be a great way to spark an interest in language learning.
Be sure to try singing a variety of songs.