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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Folk Dance Classics and Popular Tunes (21–30)
Troika
“Troyka” is a Russian folk song meaning “a three-horse-drawn carriage.” Its lively rhythm evokes a carriage dashing through Russia’s vast snowy landscapes with bells ringing.
In keeping with the “three-horse-drawn carriage,” it is danced in groups of three, rotating as they move.
The wistful melody is quintessentially Russian.
Hab lanu yain
In this Israeli dance, the title “Hava Nagila” means “Let us have wine.” Even from the title, you can feel a cheerful atmosphere.
The movements are lively and up-tempo, so you might break a sweat by the time you finish dancing.
Bamboo Dance
This dance is a folk dance using bamboo found in countries like the Philippines and Thailand.
Dancers move to a triple-meter rhythm, skillfully stepping between two long bamboo poles as they open and close.
The bamboo strikes like percussion, adding excitement to the dance.
There is no song that must be played; any piece in triple meter will do.
In Japan, “Iruka wa Zambraco” has come to serve as the de facto theme song.
HinematovMoshe Jacobson
It’s a dance that originated in Israel, known for a modern dance-pop style track sung with the innocent yet beautiful voices of the Miami Boys Choir.
It’s also known for directly quoting a verse from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament as its lyrics.
YaburochikoRoshia min’yō
It is a Russian folk song meaning “Little Apple,” also known as a folk dance tune.
Dancers place both hands on their hips and face their partners, taking turns performing solo dances, then step around each other and return to their original positions.
The choreography, created by Anatole Jukovsky from Ukraine, incorporates balletic elements.
Ten Little IndiansSeputimusu Uinā
The original lyrics were gruesome: ten boys gradually disappeared due to accidents and other mishaps, and even the last one took his own life.
The version that survives today as a nursery rhyme has been extensively rewritten, and it is even sung in children’s English classes.
Kurunpakois
It’s a Lithuanian music piece with a story about a close boy and girl who quarrel and then make up.
The choreography is fun, showing the angry pair putting both hands on their hips and starting to argue as they stomp their feet—don, don, don.
As for the song itself, its style is very similar to the Japanese children’s song “Te o Tatakimashou” (Let’s Clap Our Hands).