Folk dance classics and popular songs
When you think of folk dancing, many schools probably include it as one of the events at their sports days or athletic festivals, right?
I’m sure many of you actually danced folk dances during your school days.
Folk dance, to begin with, refers to dances set to traditional songs from various countries, and there are a lot of pieces used for folk dancing.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of folk dance songs from around the world—from standard classics to lesser-known, niche tracks.
If you’re a school teacher, a member of a PE committee, or anyone looking to choose music for a folk dance, please use this as a reference.
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- [Camp Songs] Classic camping songs. Campfire songs you can play along with
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- [For Creative Dance] A Collection of Easy-to-Dance Japanese and Western Tracks
Folk Dance Classics and Popular Songs (1–10)
Turkey in the straw
One of the best-known folk dances in Japan is the Oklahoma Mixer, and one of the tunes used when dancing it is Turkey in the Straw.
Many people may have felt a bit shy about pairing up as boy-and-girl partners for the dance.
There are several other songs used for the Oklahoma Mixer, but in Japan this tune is the most famous and firmly established.
The song Everyone Is a Hero, which the AI sang as a parody for an au commercial, uses this melody.
Jenka
Jenka is a folk dance from Finland in Northern Europe.
The dance performed in Japan, where several people line up and hop along, is called “Letkiss,” which is said to mean “let’s dance in a line.” It’s not only danced as a dance but also used as a game: when the music stops, the leaders at the front of each line play rock-paper-scissors, and the losing team joins the back of the winning team’s line.
When Kyu Sakamoto released a record of this song in 1966 and it became a hit, it started being danced all across Japan.
Oslo Waltz
The “Oslo Waltz” is a piece from the UK and Norway, named after Oslo, the capital of Norway.
Overseas, it’s a popular tune often danced at the end of parties, with various styles such as dancing in a circle or stepping while you dance.
Its gentle tempo makes it suitable even for those who’ve never tried folk dance or for students, so it’s recommended as the final number after a few dances.
Instructions for the dance are included on the DVD “School Folk Dance: Junior High and High School Edition,” produced by the Japan Folk Dance Federation (Public Interest Incorporated Association), so please refer to that as well.
Folk Dance Classics and Popular Songs (11–20)
Presca Patch Koro
“Preskavač Kolo,” perfect for folk dancing, is a song from Yugoslavia.
It is included in “Tanoshii Folk Dance Best,” released in May 2021, and “Natsukashi no Folk Dance Best,” released in May 2010.
This lively yet graceful tune is fun to dance to in a circle for everyone—from little children to grandparents.
Because it’s often featured on best-of albums for folk dance, it’s an easy track to find both audio and teaching materials for.
Mayim Mayim
Many people say that this song, “Mayim Mayim,” is the most memorable of the folk dances they did at school.
It is said to be a song celebrating the discovery of water, and “mayim” means water.
Composed in Israel in 1942, it has a melody that somehow evokes the Middle East.
The choreography currently danced in Japan is said to be the same as the original local style, and the part where everyone joins hands and moves toward the center of the circle is said to represent people gathering at a well.
Ace of Diamond
This dance originated as a Danish farmers’ dance.
Because Denmark has severe cold weather and few opportunities to exercise outdoors, indoor folk dances became popular.
The music is an old folk song called “Ritchi Ratchi.” It has been danced in Japan since before the war, and the song also has Japanese lyrics; it was included in music textbooks, so many people may be familiar with it.
As for the choreography, holding hands is common, but linking arms and turning is a refreshing twist.
wooden shoes
Lithuania’s “Wooden Shoes,” as the title suggests, refers to the charming wooden shoes people in Lithuania would wear when they danced, enjoying the sound of the clogs as they moved.
While wooden shoes might be hard to come by, the tune makes you want to dance with a lively, rhythmic spring in your step.
The original melody comes from the Lithuanian folk song “Krumpakojis,” but to my ear it somewhat resembles the Japanese children’s song “Te o Tatakimashō” (“Let’s Clap Our Hands”).
It’s a melody that feels familiar and accessible to Japanese listeners.
Try searching for it together—it can serve as a helpful reference for the dance as well.