[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for New Year’s Parties: Nursery Rhymes, Children’s Songs, and Popular Songs to Liven Up Even on Cold Days

Hymn to the Snowy Mountainsdaakudakkusu

Hymn to the Snowy Mountains — The Dark Ducks

Snow Mountain Hymn is a song that portrays people living with strength in snowy mountains.

Based on the melody of the American folk song Oh My Darling, Clementine, it was released by the Dark Ducks in 1959.

Originally sung by a university mountaineering club, it became well known among people connected to the mountains.

The lyrics express the resolve to press on powerfully through snowy peaks, undaunted by raging nature such as rain and blizzards.

Even if you can’t make it to the snowy mountains, why not sing it at your New Year’s party with the determination to live this year with the same strength and vitality as these people?

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Early Spring OdeSakushi: Ichimasa Yoshimaru / Sakkyoku: Akira Nakata

Early Spring Ode [One of Japan’s 100 Best Songs] by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics (♪ Though spring is in name only, the wind is still cold ~)

For older adults who are hoping for an early arrival of warm spring, we recommend the song “Sōshun-fu” (Early Spring Ode).

It depicts the chilly early spring from February to early March, when the calendar says it’s spring after the first day of spring (Risshun), yet the weather remains cold.

Even though it’s called spring, it’s still cold during this time and snow continues to fall.

The lyrics capture the faint frustration of calling such a season “spring.” Although it’s even colder during the New Year party season than in February, try singing it with the wish for spring to come as soon as possible.

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Brr, it’s so cold.warabe uta

[Children’s Song] Oh, Cold, So Cold

For a New Year’s party in a winter so cold it makes you want to cry, I recommend “Oosamu Kosamu.” The song depicts a scene where a child, overwhelmed by the bitter cold, comes down from the mountain in tears.

Whether the cold is harsh or mild, winter is, after all, cold.

Since it’s also a time when people can easily fall ill, I suggest singing with enough energy to chase the chill away in a warm room at your New Year’s gathering.

If grandpa and grandma sing heartily, their grandchildren are sure to feel energized too!

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The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsMiyahira Rie

Children’s song “Song of the Twelve Zodiac Signs” (Jūnishi no Uta), lyrics and music by Rie Miyahira

With the arrival of the New Year, the zodiac also switches to the next animal.

This children’s song depicts the order of the twelve zodiac signs—familiar from ema plaques and New Year’s cards—and the story behind them.

It begins by reciting the names of the zodiac in order and also explains why these twelve animals were chosen.

Since the focus is on pronunciation, it’s recommended to look at the illustrations to learn which animal is which as you listen.

The lyrics apologizing to the cat at the end are memorable, so it might be fun to look into the finer points of the story as well.

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kappamaki

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winter sceneryMonbushō shōka

Winter Scenery (Song)

“Winter Scenery,” which was even adopted as an elementary school song in the Taisho era, depicts winter scenes from morning to evening, evoking images of watersides, farmlands, and village landscapes.

Its grand sound conveys a strong will to overcome the cold of winter.

Try listening leisurely while gazing at or imagining the rich natural scenery.

With choral work as beautiful as a hymn, it’s also recommended for group singing at recreational activities or events.

Be sure to listen to this piece that will warm the cold winter.

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Kantarō the North Wind Kiddōyō

Kantaro the North Wind Kid / Minna no Uta

It’s a classic children’s song for the season when true winter approaches, depicting the feeling of realizing winter has arrived from the chill of the wind.

With the cold north wind, Kantarō comes to town, conveying the gradual intensification of the cold through distinctive sounds.

The overall gentle tempo also helps evoke the lonely winter landscape.

The light sound of the blowing wind accentuates a piercing chill that almost feels painful, heightening our awareness of the need to stay warm.

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Song of the Seven Herbswarabeuta

[Nanakusa Bayashi / Nanakusa Nazuna / Children's Song] Nanakusa nazuna, good health free from illness, seven-herb porridge.

On the 7th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, there is a custom of eating seven-herb rice porridge.

It is an important tradition imbued with various meanings, such as resting the stomach after the New Year and preventing illness.

The song that has been passed down to accompany the preparation of these seven herbs is this “Song of the Seven Herbs.” It is sung while pounding the herbs, and the lyrics even express onomatopoeic sounds like the pounding itself.

Its content includes wishes to keep migratory birds from coming to Japan, conveying a prayer that epidemics will not spread.

Why not infuse this simple piece with a hope that the New Year will be a happy one?

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