[Animal Song] Fun nursery rhymes popular with children

Song of the Resounding GrasslandsSakushi: Kubota Yuzuru Sakkyoku: Maruyama Aki

Perfect for a play: “Song of the Echoing Grassland (Suho’s White Horse)” / “Grassland Love Song”!

This piece opens a series based on Mongolian folk tales.

Poet Yuzuru Kubota and composer Aki Maruyama joined forces, and it was first unveiled at a premiere concert held at the Nagoya Civic Hall in May 2000.

It was later formally published in September 2002 as the opening number in the score collection Aki Maruyama Song Collection [Supplement]: Suho’s White Horse.

The lyrics weave in images of a steppe where wind and light resonate, and its bright, easy-to-sing melody makes it accessible for children.

It works beautifully in many settings—sung alongside a story reading in schools or preschools, or used as an introductory piece for recitals and concerts.

Seagull SailorSakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyo

Nursery Rhyme Medley, Shoka (School Song) “Seagull Sailor” – Hibari Children’s Choir 70th Anniversary Concert, Track 03 / #Children’sChoir #NurseryRhymeMedley #NurseryRhyme #Shoka #Children’sChorus

One song often introduced as a sea- or summer-themed children’s song is Kamome no Suiheisan (The Seagull Sailor).

Released in 1937, it remains one of the popular children’s songs sung to this day.

The song is about seagulls—said to symbolize the sea and voyages—and, as the title suggests, it charmingly conjures the image of little seagull sailors setting out to sea.

It’s a very short song, but easy for children to sing, and it naturally helps them associate the sea with seagulls.

Listening to this song may also make many children curious about sailors’ uniforms.

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Seven-year-old childSakushi: Noguchi Ujo / Sakkyoku: Motoori Nagayo

Seven Baby Crows (Lyrics by Ujō Noguchi, Music by Nagayo Motoori)

The children’s song “Nanatsu no Ko” features crows, which can seem a bit scary in the city, as its main characters.

In this song, however, that frightening image is turned on its head, depicting a gentle mother crow who cares deeply for her chicks.

There’s some mystery around why the number “seven” is used, so if you’re curious, try looking into it! Ken Shimura of The Drifters also performed a well-known parody of this song on the show “It’s 8 O’Clock! Everybody Gather,” so many people probably remember those lyrics instead.

It’s a piece that lets you feel a tender scene and may change your image of scary crows just a little.

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Tanuki of Fist Mountain

[Hand Play] Mr. Raccoon Dog of Fist Mountain ♪ (Marika) 1

The baby raccoon song “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan” is a nursery rhyme with unknown lyricist and composer, yet it remains a beloved tune.

It also serves as a play-song, incorporating choreography like the raccoon patting its belly and motions that mothers often do with babies.

It’s recommended for infants and toddlers, but from around preschool age children can also enjoy playing rock-paper-scissors with it, so be sure to sing and play along.

The lyrics are repetitive, so once you learn the first verse, you can sing it through to the end.

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Mary’s lambSakushi sakkyoku: Amerika minyō

Mary's Little Lamb - Nursery Rhyme, from 'Okaasan to Issho'

The nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” starring a sheep that makes you want to reach out and touch its fluffy body, originated in the United States and conveys the cuteness of Mary’s pet sheep.

The first part of the song is widely known, but in fact, the lyrics span multiple verses, making it a slightly longer nursery rhyme.

In the latter part, the sheep actually follows Mary to the school she attends, causing quite a commotion.

Although it ends on a slightly sad note, be sure to listen and sing along to the very end to see how the story unfolds!

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Rabbit DanceSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Hibari Children's Choir 'Rabbit Dance'

One of the animals loved by many children for its adorable appearance—the rabbit! The children’s song “Rabbit Dance,” which depicts rabbits dancing cutely, will make you want to join in as you listen.

With its rhythmic melody and lyrics packed with onomatopoeia, even small children can sing along easily and joyfully.

It seems the dancing rabbits are a bit fashionable, too.

Don’t be outdone by the rabbits in the song—dress up and have fun singing while you dance!

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Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma

Elephant (Lyrics by Michio Mado, Music by Ikuma Dan)

The children’s song “Zō-san” depicts a heartwarming relationship between a baby elephant and its mother.

The lyricist, Michio Mado, is said to have portrayed a baby elephant who is teased for its long trunk not as feeling sad, but rather as proudly viewing it as a charming feature just like its mother’s.

The joy of being the same as one’s mother—and above all, the feeling of loving one’s mother—is something many children can relate to.

Be sure to sing it together with your child, with full-hearted affection!

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