Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
We’ve put together a collection of children’s songs that almost everyone has heard at least once, like “Elephant,” “The Policeman Dog,” and “Aye-Aye.” Because they’re made for little kids, looking at the lyrics again really shows their pleasing sound, easy-to-follow stories, and skillful word choices.
Famous nursery rhymes that have been sung for generations are perfect for parents and children to sing together.
This time, we’ve also selected many songs that you can do hand motions with, so be sure to enjoy singing along together!
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Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about animals (71–80)
Draneko Rock ’n’ Roll
It’s a rock ’n’ roll-style song themed around a stray cat who claims to be the town’s star.
It was broadcast on the children’s program “Sing and Play.” Just listening to it makes your body move on its own—an upbeat, fun children’s song.
Red sky at dusk
“Yuuyake Koyake” is a song with lyrics by children’s songwriter Ukou Nakamura and music by composer Shin Kusakawa.
It’s also well known as a chime played in towns at dusk.
For Japanese people, hearing it somehow makes you want to go home.
Among the many children’s songs, it’s a quintessential masterpiece.
Goldfish’s Nap
This is a children’s song about a goldfish taking a nap in a fishbowl.
“Bebe” is a baby word meaning clothing, and indeed the goldfish’s red tail fin might look like it’s wearing a kimono.
Incidentally, unlike humans, goldfish are said to have only REM sleep.
pigeon
This song has long been loved as a children’s nursery rhyme that feels friendly and familiar.
The lyrics, which depict feeding beans to pigeons, have a pleasant sound and an easy-to-follow story.
Since it was included in the Ministry of Education’s textbook in 1911, it has been passed down and sung for many years.
With its simple melody and approachable lyrics, it’s often sung year-round.
It carries an important message about kindness to animals and living in harmony with nature, playing a key role in music education at home and in schools.
It’s a perfect song for parents and children to sing together.
Zebra Swirl
It’s a children’s song that playfully wonders what would happen if you put a zebra’s stripes on a polar bear, on Mom, or on the blue sky.
It was broadcast on “Okaasan to Issho” and became a popular tune.
With its bright melody, it’s an uplifting animal song.
Squirrel squirrel little squirrel
This is a song by Hakushu Kitahara and Tamezo Narita.
You can almost picture a little squirrel scampering about energetically.
It was published in the inaugural issue of the children’s song magazine Akai Tori in 1918 and spread throughout Japan.
It somehow brings on a nostalgic feeling, doesn’t it?
Nanbu Cattle Drover’s Song
This is a song that has long been cherished as a folk tune of Iwate Prefecture.
It has also been recorded by enka singer Kohei Fukuda, known for “Nambu Semi-shigure.” The melody has that uniquely Japanese folk-song familiarity, which is lovely.
The lyrics, too, strongly reflect the character of the region.
Mr. Ant on an errandsakushi: Sekine Eiichi / sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma
“Otsukai Ari-san” is a delightful song featuring a playful scene where two little ants bump into each other with a “gottsun.” The bouncy accompaniment mimics the ants’ walking, and children are sure to sing along with sparkling eyes.
It’s also adorable to have them pretend to walk like ants, as in eurhythmics! If you depict the moment the ants collide using a sketchbook theater or paper puppets, children can sing with richer imagery, so it’s highly recommended.
It can also be enjoyed as an introduction to teach that bumping into friends can hurt.
Five ducks
How about having little children sing this as a way to learn numbers? It’s a slightly sad nursery rhyme in which, as the song goes on, one baby duckling gets lost at a time.
But don’t worry—by the end, they all come back.
Five Little Pigs and Charleston
This song was released in 1962 as a single by the singer Kayoko Moriyama.
“Charleston” refers to a dance that was popular in America in the 1920s.
The song, which tells of five little piglets dancing the Charleston, spread throughout Japan as a lively children’s tune.