[For Seniors] Autumn Songs That Touch the Heart: From Nostalgic Children’s Songs and School Songs to Showa-Era Kayōkyoku

Seven-year-old childSakushi: Noguchi Ujo / Sakkyoku: Motoori Nagayo

♪ Seven Little Children – Nanatsu no Ko | ♪ Why does the crow cry? The crow is in the mountains ♪ [Japanese song / shoka]

“Seven Baby Crows,” published in the July 1921 issue of the children’s literature magazine The Golden Ship.

The lyrics were written by poet Ujo Noguchi, known for works like “Soap Bubbles.” The opening, famous line that addresses the crow is something everyone has heard at least once.

You can picture the crow flying through the sky back to its chicks.

It’s also great to sing on an autumn stroll or on the way home from viewing the fall foliage.

This children’s song features a warm, gentle melody.

Singing it together with friends at a community facility can be a wonderful opportunity to deepen connections.

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A deserted seaTo wa e mo wa

♫ An empty beach — a Showa-era song. It's already autumn, an empty beach! With lyrics

A quietly sung piece set on an autumn seashore, reflecting on a lost love and facing one’s own future.

Released in November 1970 as a single by Towa Tei et Moi, it features lyrics by poet Yoko Yamaguchi and music by Noriyoshi Naitō.

The words—resolved not to grieve anymore because promises were made to the sea, the sand, and the sky—gently resonate in the heart.

On the same day, chanson singer Fubuki Koshiji also released a version, and on the Oricon charts the Towa et Moi version reached No.

16.

Its portrayal of someone striving to look ahead despite setbacks and loneliness is something many will relate to.

It’s a song that tenderly stays by your side—one you’ll want to listen to while gazing at the autumn sea.

Rindō PassShimakura Chiyoko

Rindō Pass

We would like to introduce a classic by Chiyoko Shimakura that’s perfect for the autumn season.

Its poignant lyrics, depicting an older sister getting married around the time when gentian flowers bloom, truly resonate.

Released in 1955, this song is known as her second single following her debut.

Because it centers on gentian—an iconic flower of autumn—it’s a great choice to sing with older adults.

Singing while picturing the scenes in the lyrics can stimulate and activate the brain.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to enjoy in a calm mood.

Why not savor the feeling of autumn along with fond memories?

Midnight GuitarSenga Kahoru

Kaoru Senga - Midnight Guitar

In this arts-filled autumn, Kaoru Chiga’s “Midnight Guitar” is the kind of song that can inspire even older listeners to lend an ear to the sound of the guitar—or even feel like giving it a try.

Released in 1969 as Chiga’s debut single, it has been covered by numerous artists, including Sayuri Ishikawa and UA.

The lyrics depict someone who, after a painful experience, plays the guitar through the night to soothe their sorrow.

Whether you listened to it often in your youth or are hearing it for the first time, why not embrace the spirit of the season with this song?

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SAKI

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Desert of the MoonSakushi: Katou Masao / Sakkyoku: Sasaki Suguru

Moon Desert by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs]

Beloved as a children’s song, this work was created by poet and painter Masao Kato, who produced the poem together with accompanying illustrations.

After its publication in a magazine in 1923, composer Suguru Sasaki set it to music, and it came to be widely sung.

It depicts a prince and princess riding a camel, quietly traveling across moonlit sands, unfolding a fantastical and beautiful world.

Its wistful melody gently accompanies the reflective mood of autumn.

Why not spend a moment singing it together and sharing nostalgic memories? It is a somewhat romantic, unforgettable autumn classic.

wild chrysanthemumSakushi:Ishimori Nobuo/Sakkyoku:Ishimori Nobuo

Wild Chrysanthemum (♫ Blowing from the distant mountains) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics

This is a 1942 children’s song with lyrics by Nobuo Ishimori and music by Kan’ichi Shimofusa.

It charmingly depicts the pale purple wild chrysanthemums blooming in an autumn field.

The first verse portrays the delicate figure of the quietly blooming flowers; the second presents a peaceful scene of an insect alighting on a blossom; and the third conveys a warm wish for the flowers to keep blooming even when the cold winter arrives.

With its relaxed tempo and easy-to-sing melody, it’s well suited for singing together at gatherings of older adults.

If you come across wild chrysanthemums on an autumn stroll, think of this piece and savor the changing of the seasons.

MoonMonbushō shōka

Moon

The descriptive passages praising the beauty of the perfectly round full moon leave a lasting impression.

First published in May 1911 in the Ministry of Education’s songbook “Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka: For First Grade,” it has been sung by many generations ever since.

Created through a committee-based process by editors from the Tokyo Music School, it is characterized by its simple, easy-to-sing melody.

Long beloved as a school song in music education, recordings by children’s choirs still exist today.

It’s a tune that makes you want to hum while gazing at the moon from your window on an autumn night.

Why not enjoy this nostalgic melody together with everyone at your facility?