[Animal Song] Fun nursery rhymes popular with children

All mothersamerika min’yō

[Children’s Song] All the Horses / Daisuke Yokoyama

This is a song arranged for Japanese audiences from a folk tune that originated in 19th-century America.

Tomoko Nakayama’s Japanese lyrics pose questions like why a horse goes clip-clop as it runs and why a piglet’s tail curls—“no one knows why.” Easy-to-remember onomatopoeia is repeated to the rhythm, making it appealing and well-suited for creating parody verses.

Sung on NHK’s children’s programs, this piece has reached many homes and childcare settings through performances by Yuko Kanzaki and Osamu Sakata.

Combined with fingerplay or marching movements, it’s a perfect nursery song for parents and children to enjoy together.

Mr. Elephant

[Children’s Song] Elephant / Daisuke Yokoyama

In this song, Michio Mado’s poem is set to a gentle triple-meter melody by Ikuma Dan.

Through the image of a baby elephant, teased for its long trunk, proudly replying, “My mother’s is the same,” it tenderly conveys a heart that embraces differences.

In the 2003 “Favorite Children’s Songs” ranking, it placed seventh and has continued to be loved across generations.

It has been included in many collections, such as King Records’ “Zō-san — Michio Mado Children’s Song Collection [White Jubilee Commemoration]” and Nippon Columbia’s “Michio Mado Works — Zō-san.” It’s a song to hum along with someone dear to you, nurturing a spirit that cherishes your own individuality.

The little cowboy has arrived.Sakkyoku: Sakata Hiroo / Sakushi: Arekisu Sakkyoku Tom Tirilin Tom

Little Cowboy ♪ A little cowboy has come. Lyrics by Hiroo Sakata, music by Alexis. Tom Tirilin Tom.

This song, which depicts a lively cowboy galloping across the vast western plains, was selected in an Italian children’s song contest in 1965 and was given Japanese lyrics by Hiroo Sakata.

It vividly portrays a little cowboy from the cactus-blossoming West riding along on his horse while strumming a banjo.

The repeated “la-la-la” set to a marching rhythm is delightful and makes children naturally want to move their bodies.

It was first broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1966, and was later sung on “Okaasan to Issho.” In 1991, a single was also released by Ichiro Mizuki.

It’s a perfect children’s song for everyone to sing together with rounds and handclaps, full of energy!

Run, Kotaro!Sakushi: Ikeda Kenkichi / Sakkyoku: Ikeda Kenkichi, Maeda Nobuo

Run, Kotaro — Showa 45 (sung by Salty Sugar), lyrics by Kenkichi Ikeda, music by Kenkichi Ikeda and Nobuo Maeda

Released in July 1970 as a parody of horse-racing commentary, this Salty Sugar track sings out an imaginary derby in a comical, announcer-style delivery.

The lyrics were written by Kenkichi Ikeda, and the music was co-composed by Ikeda and Nobuo Maeda.

Its charm lies in a high-energy arrangement that fuses acoustic guitar, handclaps, and shouted calls.

The song topped the Oricon weekly chart and won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.

It later became a staple as background music for school sports days, was adapted with new lyrics for the 1996 anime Midori no Makibaō, and was covered in 2018 for Uma Musume: Pretty Derby—remaining beloved across generations.

It’s a perfect pick for enjoying announcer-style singing with kids or hyping up a sports event.

Horse’s tail, pig’s tail.Sakushi: Abe Hitomi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi

Horse tails, pig tails

Broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in August 1983, this song is a humorous children’s tune themed around the tails of a horse and a pig.

Written by Hitomi Abe and composed by Naosumi Yamamoto, it was selected as an outstanding piece in NHK’s Children’s Song Lyrics and Composition Contest.

The story charmingly likens a boy’s puppy-love—teasing the girl he likes—to animal tails, sweetly capturing that childish urge to tug on her pigtails.

Sung by Kyu Sakamoto and the NHK Tokyo Children’s Choir, it became well-loved and was rebroadcast in 2010 and 2015.

There are also covers by various artists, including Seiji Tanaka, and it is widely sung in kindergarten and nursery school choirs.

Its lively melody and catchy refrain make it perfect for parents and children to sing together.

HAPPY HONEY HORSENo-zan Ho-su Pa-ku

[Official] Northern Horse Park’s Horse Song “HAPPY HONEY HORSE” – Let’s All Dance

The hand-play song about horses produced by Northern Horse Park in Tomakomai, Hokkaido is a piece that expresses the fun of interacting with horses through dance.

It’s designed so that children can physically portray the characteristics of horses—like the clip-clop of running, affectionate nuzzling, long necks, and signature gestures—in time with the rhythm.

By weaving running and jumping movements into the lyrics and using lots of easy-to-mimic onomatopoeia, the song is structured so even first-time listeners can quickly sing and dance along.

Released in April 2023, the lyrics were written by Nanami Miyoshi and the Northern Friends, with music by Shuntaro Yamauchi and Nanami Miyoshi.

You can also enjoy the music video on the park’s official website.

Watching the video before your visit and then meeting the horses on-site will likely make the experience even more memorable.

It’s the perfect track for parents and children who want to move their bodies while growing fond of horses!

KintaroSakushi: Ishihara Wasaburō / Sakkyoku: Tamura Torazō

Kintarō [Children's Song] Lyrics: Wasaburō Ishihara / Music: Torazō Tamura

This is a children’s song that depicts a sturdy boy wrestling a bear on Mount Ashigara.

Written by Wasaburō Ishihara and composed by Torazō Tamura, it was published in June 1900 in “Shōnen Shōka, First Edition, Upper Volume.” As a representative children’s song that sings about a folktale hero in words familiar to children, it remains beloved today.

The bold figure carrying a hatchet and practicing horse-riding is vividly expressed through a lively two-beat rhythm and spirited calls that make it easy to sing while moving the body.

Because it conveys strength and energy, it’s perfect for singing with children in childcare settings or at home who are starting to take an interest in animals and folktales.

Add handclaps and gestures while singing, and it’s sure to be even more exciting.