[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
February brings Setsubun and the chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” In nurseries and kindergartens, there are likely many chances to sing songs related to Setsubun.
But in fact, there are plenty of songs perfect for February beyond just Setsubun tunes! In this article, we introduce songs connected to February and children’s songs that are perfect for the harshly cold season.
Many of them can be sung with hand-play motions, so children are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of them on days when it’s too cold to play outside or during music time.
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- [For Seniors] February Songs You’ll Want to Hum: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics
- [Childcare] Fun Songs for 2-Year-Olds to Sing! Recommended Song Collection
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- [Setsubun Song] Demons out, fortune in! Bean-throwing songs to enjoy on Setsubun
- Timeless songs you’ll want to listen to in February: winter songs and Valentine’s songs.
- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- March nursery rhymes & hand play songs! Spring songs you can enjoy with your kids
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: a collection of classic songs you'll want to sing with your children
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- Childcare: Today's recommended fun songs
[Songs for February] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (41–50)
Constellations of Winter (Original: Mollie Darling)Sakkyoku: Wiriamu Heisu
This piece was published in 1947 as one of the songs in the government-issued textbook “Secondary Music.” The lyrics were written by Keizo Horiuchi, but the melody is borrowed from “Molly Darling,” a popular song composed in 1871 by American songwriter William Hayes, making it, so to speak, a kind of contrafact.
Interestingly, when you listen to “Molly Darling” on its own, it doesn’t evoke the solemn atmosphere of “Fuyu no Seiza” (“Winter Constellations”); instead, it comes across more as a bright popular tune.
[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (51–60)
Happy HinamatsuriSakkyoku: Kawamura Naonori (Kawamura Koyo)
A famous song that has been sung in Japan for many years—one that every girl has probably sung at least once—is “Happy Hinamatsuri.” Although it’s originally a song for March, Hinamatsuri comes right after February ends.
Why not start practicing in February so you can sing it on the day?
Song of the Bathhouse
Speaking of February, it’s the time of year when winter’s cold is especially harsh.
At times like that, taking a bath to warm your body thoroughly is highly recommended.
This is a lively hand-play song that portrays a bath that warms both body and heart.
In this piece, instead of a bath at home, it depicts everyone heading to a public bathhouse, and the cheerful call-and-response conveys the excitement of enjoying the bath.
It then unfolds to show washing the body and soaking in the hot water.
Ending with a scene visible from the window, it evokes the image of relaxing in the bath—a song filled with happiness.
Hymn to the Snowy Mountains (Original Tune: Oh My Darling, Clementine)amerika min’yō
Dark Ducks, who led Japan’s postwar pop scene, released “Yukiyama Sanka” in 1959.
The original tune is “Oh My Darling, Clementine.” Based on the melody of an American folk song, it features Japanese lyrics themed around snowy mountains.
The soaring vocals set against a grand drum roll are especially striking.
Precisely because it’s the season when we feel winter’s chill, let’s warm up by singing this passionate melody.
It’s also a perfect track to liven up February excursions and outings.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
On cold days, you just want to snuggle up to someone and feel a bit of warmth! The perfect play song for times like that is “Oshikura Manju.” A few people huddle together, link arms with the person next to them, and sing while pushing each other with their backs and bottoms.
The idea is that since everyone’s pushing one another, even if it hurts a little, no crying! As you sing and move your bodies while pushing, you gradually warm up.
The key to really feeling the warmth is to play with at least four people.
The more people you have, the more power you get, and the more fun and cozy it becomes!
White RoadSakkyoku: Vivuarudi
“Shiroi Michi” (The White Road) depicts someone walking alone along a snow-covered white path, recalling memories from days spent with their mother.
In fact, this song sets lyrics to the second movement of that famous composer Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in F minor “Winter,” RV 297! Vivaldi’s original piece also had an accompanying sonnet, though its content differs from that of “Shiroi Michi.” The lyrics, which sing of nostalgic memories, really tug at the heartstrings.
When a child sings it, it might even bring a tear to Mom’s or Dad’s eyes!
frost pillarswarabeuta
In the cold winter season, you sometimes see columns of frost forming on the ground.
Touching them or stepping on them—there are many ways to enjoy this winter-only phenomenon.
This is a gentle hand-play song that depicts frost columns you can only see in winter.
The shape of needle-like ice gathered into bundles is expressed by layering your fingers in time with the song.
It then unfolds into a scene where the frost columns topple under the sun’s rays, conveying a touch of sadness.
The actions are simple—just opening your layered fingers—and it’s recommended to do it after you’ve actually encountered frost columns, as a way to recall the experience.