Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Songs to Sing in Refreshing May When the Fresh Green Shines

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

In May, the fresh greenery becomes beautiful and makes you feel like going out.

In this article, we introduce songs perfect for May that are recommended for seniors.

We’ve gathered a variety of songs, including “Koinobori,” which is filled with seasonal lyrics, songs perfect for Mother’s Day, and bright, lively tunes you’ll want to listen to when going out.

Sing songs that suit May and deepen your sense of the season.

It’s said that using your voice enriches both mind and body, so why not incorporate singing into music recreation at senior facilities?

[For Seniors] Songs to Sing in Refreshing, Lush-May Green (31–40)

rice plantingSakushi: Inoue Takeru / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Rice Planting (with Lyrics) Ministry of Education Song, National School 2nd Grade (Showa 17 [1942])

rice plantingSakushi: Inoue Takeru / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

For Japanese people, rice is an indispensable food.

Not only the autumn harvest but also the rice-planting in early summer is an important event.

This song, set against the backdrop of rice-planting scenes, powerfully expresses how essential rice is.

It conveys a sense of uplift, suggesting that by earnestly facing the task of planting, we take the first step toward delicious rice.

The light, buoyant singing is also memorable, evoking a joyful engagement with the planting.

Carefully reading the lyrics can deepen our gratitude and affection for being able to eat rice.

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Cradle SongSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin

Cradle Song – Yurikago no Uta | The canary sings the cradle song [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Cradle SongSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin

It’s a hymn-like lullaby that conveys the image of gently rocking a cradle while singing.

The way it dedicates affection to a child and expresses the wish for them to grow up healthy makes it perfect for Children’s Day, which celebrates growth.

The straightforward desire for the child to sleep peacefully is clearly expressed, and the added elements that evoke a scenic atmosphere further emphasize its warmth.

It’s also a perfect song for reminiscing about your own childhood or taking time to reflect on your feelings toward children.

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koinobori (carp streamers)sakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Hirota Ryūtarō

Koinobori (On the Rooftops...) — Suginami Children’s Choir

koinobori (carp streamers)sakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Hirota Ryūtarō

This piece straightforwardly depicts carp streamers—an essential part of Children’s Day celebrations—and the scenery that spreads around them.

It likens the rows of roof tiles and the clouds stretching across the blue sky to the rippling of water, describing the carp streamers as swimming through that scene.

The sight of the streamers bravely flying high conveys a wish for children to grow up strong.

Along with the exhilaration of the changing seasons, the song portrays the story embedded in the carp streamers and the meaning of displaying them.

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The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomSakushi: Katō Shōgo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom – Shoko Haida

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomSakushi: Katō Shōgo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru

When we think of mikan (mandarin oranges), many of us associate them with autumn and winter, but that’s the season for harvesting the fruit; the blossoms actually bloom around May.

At that time of year, small white flowers spread across the mikan orchards.

The harmony of the white blossoms and green leaves creates a beautiful scene that lifts your spirits.

This piece gently looks back on such scenes of mikan blossoms and the memories tied to them.

With depictions of the sea visible beyond the orchards and ships running across it, the music powerfully conveys a sense of wide-open vistas and the beauty of a grand landscape.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced some songs perfect for May that we’d love to recommend to seniors—what did you think? Like the sun shining brightly, there were plenty of lively, energetic tunes.

Perhaps some songs also brought back nostalgic childhood scenes, such as gratitude for mothers, the sights of Children’s Day, and the landscapes of tea picking.

Sing or listen to the songs we introduced here, and have a delightful May!