A children's song from a popular fairy tale

Sleeping PrincessPinkittsudouyou

Sleeping Princess | Princess Nursery Rhyme | Pinkfong Nursery Rhymes

Also known as Sleeping Beauty, this work tells the story of a princess put under a spell by an evil sorcerer, whose slumber can only be broken by a prince’s kiss.

How romantic that magic is! It’s a simple tale, but a truly wonderful one, isn’t it? This song sets that romantic story to a pleasant waltz (three-beat) rhythm.

It features three roles—the narrator, the prince, and the princess—so it’s a piece that friends or siblings can enjoy performing together!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Tanuki-bayashi of Shojoji (The Raccoon Dogs’ Festival Drumming at Shojoji Temple)Nakayama Shimpei

Shojoji no Tanuki-bayashi [with song] – Children’s Song

This is a song with lyrics based on the legend “Tanuki Bayashi.” The original story goes like this: a priest finds tanuki making a racket in the temple garden at night; he joins in the revelry, but after beating his belly drum too much, it bursts and the tanuki dies.

“Shojoji no Tanuki Bayashi” excerpts only the fun parts of that tale.

By the way, real tanuki do not beat their bellies.

What people think of as tanuki belly drumming is actually a phenomenon where, in mountains or grasslands with few obstacles to block sound, distant drumbeats or fireworks seem audible due to low clouds carrying the sound.

Please, do not catch tanuki and hit their bellies.

The Crane’s Return of FavorHashimoto Yoshiji

The Crane’s Return of Favor ♪ Long ago, a poor villager helped a crane. Lyrics by Tamiko Hirai; Music by Yoshimichi Hashimoto — The Crane of Gratitude

The story of “The Crane’s Return of a Favor” perfectly fits the saying “Curiosity killed the cat.” Even the virtuous old man who saves a crane can’t overcome his curiosity and ends up opening the door.

It really shows how frightening human intellectual curiosity can be.

If only he hadn’t looked at her weaving, they could have been much happier—what a waste.

Thinking about the crane’s feelings at that moment, as well as the old man’s and old woman’s, gives the tale real depth.

By the way, they say the story is set in Yamagata Prefecture.

Princess KaguyaKainuma Minoru

Nursery Rhyme: Princess Kaguya

Kaguya-hime, known for being born from a bamboo stalk.

The original work, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, was even included in the author’s high school textbook.

The most likely setting for Kaguya-hime is present-day Nara Prefecture, meaning it’s a story set in a land rich with historical ambience.

By the way, the emperor doesn’t appear in the song, but since the tale is famous, please look it up if you’re interested.

It’s a sad story of a beloved child, raised with great affection, who returns to the moon.

Seeing the full moon on the night of the harvest moon always brings Kaguya-hime to mind.

The Town Musicians of BremenHayashi Akira

The Musicians of Bremen Akira Hayashi Okaasan to Issho

The 1819 work The Town Musicians of Bremen is a fairy tale in which animals who have been abandoned by humans or are about to be used as ingredients for cooking take center stage.

The charm of this story lies in the many animals that appear.

The music is highly varied, featuring rhythmic, rap-like sections and relaxed melodies, making it a very enjoyable piece to listen to.

Imitating the neighs of horses and the clucks of chickens is great fun, and it’s a perfect fairy-tale song for the finale of a children’s performance as well!

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Murakami Shinpei

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A Wise Old Owl

A Wise Old Owl | Nursery Rhymes for Babies by LittleBabyBum – ABCs and 123s

Among the many playful songs in Mother Goose, “A Wise Old Owl” stands out as a profound piece that teaches wisdom for life.

The protagonist is an owl living in an oak tree, portrayed as wise for seeing much, speaking little, and listening all the more.

Its message—“Let us be like this bird”—resonates with adults as well.

With records showing it was printed in a magazine in April 1875, it has a long history, and it’s said that John D.

Rockefeller even quoted it in a speech.

Although it isn’t associated with any particular artist, it’s well loved in many Mother Goose Rhymes albums and educational programs.

It might be nice to learn, together with a chatty child, the importance of quietly listening.

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather – Happy Spring! – Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

A short and cheerful Mother Goose song that sings about birds of a feather flocking together, “Birds of a Feather.” In the lyrics, not only birds but also animals like pigs and mice appear, each choosing their own kind or favorite things.

In fact, the original proverb is said to have already appeared in documents around 1545, giving it a very long history.

Today, it’s featured in videos from the Emmy-winning educational program “Mother Goose Club,” where it’s enjoyed in a pop-style arrangement.

With short phrases and an easy rhythm, it’s a great first song for getting used to the sounds of English.

Add some hand claps and have fun singing and playing together with your child!