A children's song from a popular fairy tale

Cock-A-Doodle-Do

Cock a Doodle Doo! – Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

This is one of the liveliest Mother Goose songs, beginning with the crow of a spirited rooster.

In the lyrics, the house descends into chaos as the wife loses her shoe and the husband misplaces his fiddle bow, all to the rhythm of the cock’s crow.

Despite the troubles, there’s a humorous tone that makes it simply fun to listen to.

The piece has been beloved for a long time and was already included in the nursery rhyme collection Mother Goose’s Melody around 1765.

The phrase has become so familiar that it’s even been quoted in works for adults, such as an episode title of the drama Sex and the City.

The rhythm of the English onomatopoeia is pleasing to the ear, and it might be a great song to sing with your child as a morning wake-up tune.

Curly Locks

Curly Locks | Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

Here’s a very romantic and gentle Mother Goose rhyme that sings of warm affection for a lovable, curly-haired person! It’s a memorable piece that promises a dreamlike life—forgetting chores and other work, sitting on soft cushions, and enjoying strawberries and sweet cream.

Its prototype can already be found in documents from around 1810, and it’s a traditional song that has been loved for more than 200 years.

It has appeared across eras, such as as a character in the 1934 film “Babes in Toyland,” and in folk singer Tim Hart’s 1983 album “The Drunken Sailor and Other Kids Songs,” where he performed it.

The gentle melody is perfect for bedtime, so why not listen to it on a night when you and your child want to relax together?

Georgie Porgie

Georgie Porgie – Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

This is the song that comes to mind when you think of a playful teasing tune where a boy pulls a prank on a girl and then, when other boys show up, he panics and runs away.

Its rhyming, rhythmic phrases are catchy, and it has long been beloved as a children’s playground song.

In fact, it has a very long history—there’s a record of it already being introduced in a book from January 1841.

It’s also famous because the American rock band TOTO quoted its opening lines in a song they released in 1978.

The lyrics might be a little startling, but it’s a perfect example of Mother Goose’s delightful wordplay.

Why not hum along with your child to its unique rhythm while experiencing a bit of English-speaking culture and history?

Goosey, Goosey, Gander

Goosey, Goosey Gander – Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

This is a lively Mother Goose piece that begins with a call to the geese and features a catchy melody.

The lyrics describe going up and down the stairs, and it’s loved as a play song that you can enjoy while moving your body.

At first glance it seems cheerful, but it’s said that the lyrics actually hide satire about historical religious conflicts, giving the song a slightly mysterious background.

First included, it is said, in a nursery rhyme collection published in 1784, this venerable piece has been covered by numerous singers and educational programs, and is a standard in the English-speaking world.

You’ll also often hear it as insert music in animations and documentaries themed on Mother Goose.

Its rhythmic wordplay makes it perfect for enjoying English sounds, so be sure to sing and dance along with your child!

Jack Be Nimble

Jack Be Nimble | CoComelon Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

This is a very rhythmic Mother Goose rhyme that depicts a boy lightly leaping over a candlestick.

Words conveying quickness and agility line up, making it a fun little piece that makes you want to move your body.

Its origins are old—since it already appears in a manuscript from around 1815, it has been sung for over 200 years.

It is said to have started as a fortune-telling-like game to see whether you could jump over a lit candle without putting it out.

Nowadays, it’s common to play without fire, using toys or cushions as substitutes.

On rainy days when you can’t play outside, why not enjoy the rhythm of English while doing some jumping games indoors? Just like the nimble protagonist, get moving with energy!

Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross

Ride a Cock-Horse to Banbury Cross – Mother Goose Club Playhouse Kids Video

It’s a well-known Mother Goose nursery rhyme that’s often sung while bouncing a child on an adult’s knee like a trotting horse.

It depicts a splendid, slightly mysterious scene: on the way to the cross in Banbury, people go to see a lady adorned with rings and bells riding a white horse.

Since its inclusion in a 1784 collection of nursery rhymes, it has been loved and passed down through generations.

It appears on many recordings, such as the album The Nursery Rhyme Collection featuring Cynthia Glover, as well as records from the 1950s.

It’s also a staple in British educational programs, and because of its rhythmic motions, it’s a perfect song for playful bonding with babies and young children!

Let’s go to the park.Sakushi sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu

[Song♫] Let's Go to the Park / With Mother (Covered by UtaSta) [Animated PV]

This popular song from NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” is characterized by a bright tone that evokes the arrival of spring and a lively, uplifting rhythm.

Created by Osamu Sakata, it features lyrics that convey the joy of playing outdoors and a warm worldview that can be enjoyed across generations, from babies to the elderly.

It was sung by Ayumi Shigemori and Kentaro Hayami in August 1999, and around the same time it was also included on Ikkokudō’s album “Niji no Mukou ni.” It’s a heartwarming piece you’ll want to hum with someone special during a sunny walk or playtime at the park—perfect for enjoying with family and friends in the fresh green season.